Free Radicals: How Do They Affect Your Skin?

Many people have heard of free radicals but might not be familiar with what they are exactly and what they can do to your body. Free radicals contain oxygen and an uneven number of electrons, allowing them to react quickly with other molecules. Experts call the reactions oxidation.

Definition of free radicals

Free radicals are unstable atoms that can do cell damage. Having only one electron, free radicals interact with other molecules in the body freely, which can cause harm and lead to early signs of ageing. They can damage DNA and cell proteins by changing their chemical structure.

The body produces free radicals through natural processes, but they can be introduced through sun exposure, pollutants, toxins, tobacco smoke, alcohol, and other external sources.

What do free radicals do to your body?

When there are excess free radicals in your system, it leads to oxidative stress. The body produces antioxidants, which fight off oxidative stress. However, if the body’s antioxidants are overwhelmed by free radicals, the production of antioxidants will not meet the demand.

Oxidative stress can cause many issues. Scientific evidence suggests that long-term oxidative stress contributes to the development of a range of chronic conditions including cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.

Free radicals affect your skin

The overproduction of free radicals will also affect the skin’s different layers. As a result, damage to your skin will show visibly, and you will notice you are developing wrinkles and fine lines. Moreover, you may have uneven skin tone, sagging skin, and an increase in dark spots.

When this occurs, the problem is best dealt with by using external antioxidant products such as SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF, for example, to protect your skin against free radicals.

On the epidermis or the skin’s outer layer, oxidative stress can cause the following:

• Dullness due to the slow turnover of skin cells.
• The epidermis becomes thinner.
• Uneven skin tone due to the irregular distribution of melanin.
• Dry skin because the skin loses moisture faster.

At the dermis (middle skin layer), the body slows down the synthesis of elastin, proteoglycans, and collagen, causing the weakening of the skin’s strength and structure. Thus, deep within the skin, it is losing elasticity and firmness, all of which are signs of ageing.

Benefits of using antioxidants

Since your body cannot produce enough antioxidants due to increased free radicals, an external antioxidant will be your skin’s best ally in supporting the skin’s repair process.

Antioxidants fight the signs of ageing by scavenging or capturing free radicals to prevent and correct the visible signs and restore your skin’s youthful glow.

They have anti-inflammatory properties; thus, they can prevent sunburn and provide skin protection against photo ageing and sun damage. You also help your skin to repair itself through the regular application of antioxidants.

Moreover, antioxidants help prevent abnormal skin pigmentation by minimising melanin production. Overproduction of melanin causes uneven skin tone and dark spots. Regular use of antioxidants, particularly those with vitamin C, can brighten your skin tone.

Many natural foods contain antioxidants, but these foods alone are not enough to quickly reverse the damage caused by free radicals. Yes, free radicals affect your skin quite significantly, but you can help repair your skin and remove the visible signs of ageing by using a specially-formulated topical antioxidant that encourages new cell growth and improves skin structure to make your skin look radiant, firm, and youthful.