With every day that goes by the skin care industry seems to have a new catch phrase to add to its list. We all know that manufacturers are interested in selling their products, so they try using appealing words and ingredients to catch our eye. However, not all of the hype is true.
By all means, one of the newest catch phrases are antioxidant skin care products. But, is there any truth behind it? In this case, there is.
Antioxidants & Skin Care
Exposure to UV radiation, smoking, pollution, and even the aging process can all lead to the production of free radicals. Free radicals are molecules that are missing one electron (or have an odd number of electrons). This doesn't seem like anything that could cause a negative effect on your skin until you discover that electrons exist in pairs and will steal electrons from other molecules in order to stabilize themselves.
This process starts a chain reaction which ends up damaging and destroying molecules. If enough cells are destroyed, the damage begins to show on your skin. This also means that your skin will gradually begin to deteriorate.
Here come antioxidants to the rescue! Antioxidants are substances that are willing to sacrifice one of their electrons to neutralize the effect of free radicals. Antioxidants are usually found in certain fruits and vegetables and can also be found in a antioxidant skin cream that contains one or more of the following ingredients.
Vitamin A (carotenoids)
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Flavonoids or polyphenols
Vitamin A helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and helps deal with pigmentation problems. Vitamin C has the ability to reduce pigmentation (aka treat age spots) and combat the effects of smoking. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that has anti inflammatory properties.
Where to Obtain Vitamin A, C and E
Fruits and vegetables that are a bright red, orange, or yellow are rich in Vitamin A. These foods include carrots, squash, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, cantaloupes, peaches and apricots. You can also obtain Vitamin A from vegetables such as broccoli, kale and collard greens.
Vitamin C is obtained from all kinds of citrus fruits. Big, leafy vegetables such as spinach and lettuce are a good source of Vitamin C, but so are strawberries and tomatoes.
Most nuts, seeds, and whole grains are considered rich sources of Vitamin E. It can also be obtained from different oils and big, leafy vegetables.
Where to Get Flavonoids and Polyphenols
Both flavonoids and polyphenols can be obtained through grapes, red wine, pomegranates, cranberries and any type of tea.
Remember that an effective anti-aging routine will include foods in addition to topical products that contain antioxidants.
By all means, one of the newest catch phrases are antioxidant skin care products. But, is there any truth behind it? In this case, there is.
Antioxidants & Skin Care
Exposure to UV radiation, smoking, pollution, and even the aging process can all lead to the production of free radicals. Free radicals are molecules that are missing one electron (or have an odd number of electrons). This doesn't seem like anything that could cause a negative effect on your skin until you discover that electrons exist in pairs and will steal electrons from other molecules in order to stabilize themselves.
This process starts a chain reaction which ends up damaging and destroying molecules. If enough cells are destroyed, the damage begins to show on your skin. This also means that your skin will gradually begin to deteriorate.
Here come antioxidants to the rescue! Antioxidants are substances that are willing to sacrifice one of their electrons to neutralize the effect of free radicals. Antioxidants are usually found in certain fruits and vegetables and can also be found in a antioxidant skin cream that contains one or more of the following ingredients.
Vitamin A (carotenoids)
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Flavonoids or polyphenols
Vitamin A helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and helps deal with pigmentation problems. Vitamin C has the ability to reduce pigmentation (aka treat age spots) and combat the effects of smoking. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that has anti inflammatory properties.
Where to Obtain Vitamin A, C and E
Fruits and vegetables that are a bright red, orange, or yellow are rich in Vitamin A. These foods include carrots, squash, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, cantaloupes, peaches and apricots. You can also obtain Vitamin A from vegetables such as broccoli, kale and collard greens.
Vitamin C is obtained from all kinds of citrus fruits. Big, leafy vegetables such as spinach and lettuce are a good source of Vitamin C, but so are strawberries and tomatoes.
Most nuts, seeds, and whole grains are considered rich sources of Vitamin E. It can also be obtained from different oils and big, leafy vegetables.
Where to Get Flavonoids and Polyphenols
Both flavonoids and polyphenols can be obtained through grapes, red wine, pomegranates, cranberries and any type of tea.
Remember that an effective anti-aging routine will include foods in addition to topical products that contain antioxidants.