Benefits of Antioxidant Moisturiser

Antioxidants and Free Radicals are terms that are used regularly in skincare but what are these terms and what do they actually mean for your skin?

Antioxidants and Free Radicals are terms that are used regularly in skincare

But what are these terms? And What do they actually mean for your skin?

What are Free Radicals?

You might’ve heard this term a lot when it comes to skincare. Some free radicals are actually produced by the body to help neutralise viruses and bacteria. However too much can be detrimental to your body, your body can be exposed to them in many ways. “They come from things like air pollutants, chemicals, and cigarette smoke, and they basically suck the life out of your face,” says dermatologist Mona Gohara, M.D., associate clinical professor at Yale University.

Free radicals are molecules that are unstable. In a chemical understanding, this means that the element doesn’t have enough electrons within its outer shell. When this happens, the molecule tries to find something to fill its outer shell, which can include taking electrons from your skin. This can then cause the electrons in your skin to become unstable and cause oxidative stress, which leads to fine lines and wrinkles.

However, the good news is that antioxidants work against free radicals to protect your skin from these problems.

What are Antioxidants?

Antioxidants are naturally occurring vitamins, such as Vitamin A, E or C, that protect your skin from free radicals as well as working towards brightening and calming your skin. According to board-certified dermatologist Rhonda Klein of Connecticut Dermatology Group, “Antioxidants protect the skin by limiting free radical production, which can damage the skin. With daily use, they can reduce lentigines (sunspots), help combat visible signs of aging and calm skin inflammations. Several antioxidants provide the skin with hydration and increase moisture retention to help revitalize dull-looking skin.”