How To Fight Back Against Free Radicals

You might not be able to see it, but your skin is under constant attack by free radicals.

Left alone, those free radicals bounce around, causing damage to collagen and encouraging hyperpigmentation. Stop them, though, and you can help your skin stay smooth and even.

Free radicals are minute reactive oxygen molecules that cause damage to the skin. In fact, they damage your skin cells, collagen production, and even your DNA.

We produce some free radicals internally as cells turnover, but the rest comes from external influences like pollution and UV rays.

Over time, the effects of free radicals show up in your skin as sagging, roughness, and wrinkles.

The good news is that you can fight back against free radicals.

Antioxidants, especially, are vital in your fight against surface skin damage. Antioxidants help neutralize the molecules and in turn prevent them from causing signs of aging.

Your body produces a small number of antioxidants, but you need to try and consume or apply more on a regular basis.

Here are our top tips for fighting back.

Antioxidants work to clean up free radicals naturally. You can include antioxidant-rich foods in your diet every day, including:

Many skin care products now contain a healthy dose of antioxidants such as vitamins A, C, and E. Using these products daily can help your skin fight back against free radicals.

Neocutis’ Oxidative Stress is an antioxidant-rich serum, packed with vitamin C to promote regeneration of antioxidants while helping to neutralize free radicals.

Dermatologists used to recommend only using antioxidants in the morning since you don’t expose your skin as much at night. However, research shows that inflammation from daytime UV damage can continue up to several hours after exposure, which means you need antioxidants in the evening, too.

At night, make use of products that contain coenzyme Q10 and resveratrol. Resveratrol switches on the mechanism your body uses to produce its own antioxidants, preparing your skin for the next day’s fight.

Vitamin C is well-known for immunity boosting benefits, but it can also protect your skin from free radicals and UV rays. You’ll easily get your vitamin C boost from a number of foods, but a number of studies show minimal impact to your skin from consuming more vitamin C. So, the best way to protect your skin is through vitamin C-enriched lotions and creams.

The Obagi-C Rx System contains key ingredients like vitamin C and hydroquinone to help reduce hyperpigmentation and keep your skin looking young, smooth and firm.

Besides improving your diet and skincare regime, you can also reduce free radical damage by avoiding environmental pollutants in water and reducing chemical exposure in both cosmetic and household products.

You can also:

Your body produces free radicals as byproducts of everyday cellular reactions, like breathing, as well as exposure to pollutants, radiation, stress, a poor diet, and other toxins.

Luckily, antioxidants can help slow down the adverse effects of free radicals and protect you from disease and signs of early aging. Antioxidant sources like leafy greens and vitamin-enriched skincare products are the way to go.

Make sure you’re getting the right antioxidants in the right form to successfully fight free radical damage!