Did you know that the sun’s UV rays are not the only environmental factor that can cause damage to our skin? Free radicals, or other outside factors that we can’t necessarily see causing damage, such as air pollution, chemicals, cigarette smoke (yes, second hand is just as terrible for you), blue light, and smog, can also cause distress to the skin. Unfortunately, it’s impossible to protect yourself from EVERY pollutant in the books but we can do our very best with the right diet, lifestyle, and skincare changes. Keep reading to get all the tea behind antioxidants and how they help protect our skin!
Let’s talk science! What are free radicals and why are they bad for your skin?
Our skin cells are made up of these tiny little things called molecules. To make science a little more fun, let’s imagine these molecules as if they’re the hard-working oompa loompas in Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory for a hot second. The oompa loompas (molecules) are working hard to protect their beautiful candy wonderland. The golden ticket winners, on the other hand, (free radicals from the environment) demolish and eat the candy from the sweet chocolate haven. (Think of the candy as protons and electrons.) The oompa loompas (molecules) are left with a destroyed candy wonderland (protons and electrons). The oompa loompas are upset and angry so they start wreaking havoc on the golden ticket winners and stealing back their candy. In attempts to save his chocolate factory, Willy Wonka (antioxidants) sees the distress between his factory workers and the golden ticket winners and comes to a resolution to provide each golden ticket winner their favorite candy (electron) and help the oompa loompas rebuild their wonderland.
With that being said, our skin is composed of hundreds of molecules. Free radicals are unstable molecules that have lost their electrons in their valence shell to outside factors. The molecules will steal from a neighboring molecule to make up for their missing electron which causes a chain reaction called oxidative stress. Oxidative stress can show up as aging of the skin from air pollutants, smog, blue light and UV exposure. In order to rebuild and protect the skin, antioxidants will donate their electrons to stop oxidative stress from occurring.
The importance of antioxidants in your skincare
Antioxidants protect the skin from free radical damage and environmental aggressors such as UV exposure, blue light, and air pollutants. We use antioxidants in skincare such as vitamins A (retinol), C, and E, niacinamide, and green tea, to name a few, for their anti-aging benefits. These ingredients play an essential role in our skin’s health as they protect and prevent the skin from oxidative stress. Oxidative stress breaks down collagen and speeds up our skin’s aging process. Without antioxidants to protect our skin and new collagen being formed, our skin’s natural repair process is impeded, resulting in unwanted skin concerns such as inflammation, dullness, and dryness.
Why antioxidants and SPF are the perfect duo
There are so many perfect duos: peanut butter and jelly, Lucy and Ethel, ham and cheese, marshmallows and hot chocolate, you get the gist! There is no better duo to skincare like antioxidants, such as vitamin C, and SPF!!! Vitamin C fights back damage caused by free radicals while SPF is the main shield against UVA/UVB rays. The perfect combination to protect the skin from damage from outside factors while preserving the quality and integrity of your skin so you maintain your glow!
Want to chat about skincare? Schedule your complimentary consultation with one of our providers here. We can’t wait to see you, gorgeous!
