At one point or another we might have heard of free radicals, maybe in the health or beauty industry. But what are they really?
In this article, we'll discuss what they are and all you need to know about free radicals and their effects on the skin, you'll also find out the ingredients you can incorporate to your skin care routine that will help combat the effects of these free radicals.

 

What Are Free Radicals

According a study from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), free radicals are atoms, produced during cell metabolism, like when oxygen splits into single atom. Now these single atoms (free radicals) contain one or more unpaired electrons which makes them unstable and very reactive. What causes these free radicals? They are produced from normal cell metabolisms, as well as from external sources like pollution, radiation, cigarette smoke or even medication.

 

Can Free Radicals Cause Damage To The Skin

Because they are unstable, free radicals have the potential to cause damage. Because they can extract electrons from other compounds in order to stabilize themselves, and this in turn causes the affected compound to become a free radical itself; a chain reaction is formed which leads to a damaged cell.

So, how do this all relate to skin care, well your skin gets damaged from free radicals when exposed to environmental aggressors, such as pollution, radiation, smoke, etc. Free radicals can attack the healthy lipids by reducing the amount of moisture and lipids in the skin, which lead to dullness and dryness. They also can destroy collagen in the skin and create fine lines and wrinkles. Free radicals are one of the major causes for premature aging and can cause the formation of fine lines on the face.

What Can I Do To Protect My Skin From Free Radicals

The answer are antioxidants! Antioxidants can donate an electron to a free radical, this preventing it from taking electrons from your skin's atoms.

Ingredients That Help Protect Against Free Radicals

Now we know that antioxidants have the power to neutralize free radicals, stopping them from breaking down lipids. How can we add them into our daily routine? Below, we have 5 well known antioxidants that you may want to use.

1. Vitamin A or Plant-Based Alternatives

This is one antioxidant that can get the job done. Vitamin A is known to help reduce visible damage caused by free radicals, and the same is true of vitamin A derivatives, including retinol and plant-based retinol alternatives. If you want to add vitamin A to your skin care routine, try the La Coéss REVITALISÉ Nutrient Organic Face Oil, which is formulated with Rosehip seed oil, Carrot oil, and Sea buckthorn seed oil to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, firm, and brighten skin.

2. Vitamin C

This is an antioxidant that naturally found in skin. Vitamin C has a lot of benefits such as boosting skin radiance and reducing the amount of free radicals in the skin which slow down the aging process.

3. Vitamin E

This is another primary antioxidant, also in the forms of tocopherols and tocotrienols, Vitamin E help to scavenge free radicals and repair damaged skin cells. Argan oil, Avocado oil, Grapeseed oil are high in the most active form of Vitamin E, these ingredients are also in La Coéss REVITALISÉ Face oil.

4. Polyphenols

Polyphenols are found in Camellia and Pomegranate and this antioxidant will help scavenge free radicals and contribute to anti-inflammatory property.

5. Zinc

Zinc plays an important role in cell mediated immunity and is also an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. You might recognize this antioxidant as a popular ingredient in a lot of sunscreens.