Free radicals are unstable molecules that can cause damage to our cells. What makes them unstable is that they are missing electrons from their outer shell. This causes them to search for other atoms or molecules that have these electrons, in order for them to feel whole again and become stable. Due to their reactive nature, free radicals can wreak havoc on your skin and other cells in their quest to find an electron and feel whole again. In order to stabilise themselves, free radicals try to bond to other atoms or molecules. This process results in oxidative stress which can damage DNA and other parts of the cell. When free radicals accumulate, they may cause a state known as oxidative stress. Oxidative stress weakens living cells and tissues, and can leave you more vulnerable to certain health issues.
Example of Oxidisation.
When you leave an apple or avocado sit for a while after cutting in half, and it turns brown, this is an example of oxidation or deterioration caused by free radicals. Free radicals have been implicated in diseases such as cancer, heart disease, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
Squeezing lemon juice on an apple or avocado can significantly help reduce browning. This shows the action of a topical antioxidants ability to protect the skin. When you take vitamins and antioxidants internally and or apply them externally, you can counteract the damaging effects in the same way as squeezing a lemon.
Athmospheric skin ageing https://youtu.be/VJT8FkAxa84
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40572-020-00262-9
Skin damage.
Environmental pollution in the form of poor air quality is a major worldwide health problem, and recognition of the significant effects of air pollution on the skin is growing. Cigarette smoking and ambient soot levels are known to promote clinically visible skin changes. Ozone, the toxic gas formed when UV light hits mono-nitrogen oxides (basically, combustion exhaust), is suspected by some to be one of the primary causes of pollution-related skin damage. (Ozone in the stratosphere absorbs UV rays, and so is protective against skin cancer, except we hear of damage being caused to the ozone layer causing us to be more exposed to ozone all the time)
Expanding Our Understanding of Human Skin Ageing- https://www.jidonline.org/article/S0022-202X(16)00575-3/fulltext
How do you get rid of free radicals?
Avoiding total exposure to free radicals is next to impossible, but you can take a few precautions to keep your skin (and the rest of your body) healthy. Although avoiding the major free radical triggers mentioned above is a great start, adding antioxidants to your diet and skincare can help, too.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants are compounds that can be found in food and in skin care that stop or delay damage to our cells. They work by binding to free radicals, which prevents them from binding to your healthy cells and damaging them.
Think of antioxidants as free radical scavengers that help slow oxidation in its path.
Eat a diet rich in antioxidants and omega 3.
Omega-3s are natural ant-inflammatory which are found naturally in fatty fish, such as tuna, salmon, sardines, and trout. A 3 to 4 ounce serving of fatty fish provides 1 gram of omega-3 fatty acids. There are many ways to get the benefits of omega-3s besides eating fish. Omega-3s are also found in planted-based sources like walnuts and flaxseed, as well as in grass-fed beef, pastured poultry, and eggs. Look for eggs labelled with omega-3s.
Eat a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, eating a 'rainbow' of colour of health-giving nutritious foods will provide the most nutrients and help you have an overall healthy diet.
Foods Rich in antioxidants https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods-high-in-antioxidants.
For the most effective free radical protection, include a topical antioxidant to protect your skin against free radical damage to skin both day and night. Look for skin care products with vitamin C, resveratrol or niacinamide. Preferably look for serums. They typically have a higher concentration of active ingredients and tend to penetrate more easily into the skin.
Skin care ingredients with antioxidant properties include.
1. Vitamin C helps counteract UV free radical stress and pollution.
2. Resveratrol protects skin from UVB damage.
3. Niacinamide can be used for inflammation, redness, brown spots or pigmentation.
4. Other ingredients like vitamin E, turmeric, green tea extract and sea buckthorn
5. Combination treatments that include multiple antioxidants are more effective because when antioxidants are paired or combined the work better.
Typically, your AM antioxidants are used only in the mornings, as it would help protect against damage caused by the sun’s UV rays and pollution throughout the day and your PM antioxidant helps repair the damage that was caused during the day. Important to note your SPF will protect against UV damage but sunscreens aren’t effective for pollution.
Beyond protection - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7004163/
SkinCeutical C E Ferulic which is a combined antioxidant is recognised globally as the gold standard in antioxidants. A patented daytime vitamin C serum that delivers advanced environmental protection and improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, loss of firmness, and brightens skin’s complexion. Now clinically proven to reduce combined oxidative damage from free radicals generated by UV, Ozone, and Diesel Exhaust by up to 41%. U.S. Patent No. 7,179,841.
Topical Antioxidant Combination of Vitamins C and E with Ferulic Acid https://www.jidonline.org/article/S0022-202X(17)30938-7/fulltext
Shop now for SkinCeutical CE Ferulic
https://www.nualawoulfe.ie/collections/skinceuticals/products/skinceuticals-c-e-ferulic%C2%AE-30ml
SkinCeutical Phloretin CF is a patented daytime vitamin c antioxidant face serum that delivers advanced environmental protection and diminishes the appearance of fine lines and discuoloration This study looks at the Protective Effects of Topical Vitamin C Compound Mixtures against Ozone-Induced Damage in Human Skin.
Protective Effects of Topical Vitamin C Compound Mixtures against Ozone-Induced Damage in Human Skin.
https://www.jidonline.org/article/S0022-202X(17)30184-7/fulltext
Shop now for SkinCeutical CF
https://www.nualawoulfe.ie/collections/skinceuticals/products/skinceuticals-phloretin-cf%C2%AE-30ml
SkinCeutical Ultra 50
Night time Antioxidant - Resveratrol B E helps target the visible signs of ageing and helps to reinforce skin's natural protection against free radicals. It has a maximised concentration of 1% pure, stable Resveratrol, 0.5% Baicalin and 1% Alpha Tocopherol (Vitamin E).
