What The *Fark* Are Free-Radicals? (And Why Should I Care?)
Skincare advertising is notorious for its use of buzzwords and over-hyped ingredients, as well as a tendency to sell a solution to a ‘problem’ that was created to invent a solution.
Such is the case with free radicals, which according to advertising are very bad and you need to protect yourself from them, but most of us don’t really don’t know why they’re so bad for us, let alone what they actually are.
What are Free Radicals?
In chemistry, a “free radical” is an atom, molecule or ion that has at least one unpaired valence electron. This makes them highly chemically reactive, but also unstable and short-lived. When we talk about free radicals in skincare, we are usually referring to unstable particles that can damage cells in the body.
In this context, free radicals are a natural byproduct of cellular metabolism, but they can also be introduced by an outside source, such as tobacco smoke, alcohol, sun exposure or environmental pollution.
What Makes Free Radicals So Bad For The Skin?
Some free radicals are produced by the body in order to fight external threats like viruses and bacteria, and the body naturally fights free radical damage with its own antioxidants.
Unfortunately the body can become overwhelmed by free radicals, leading to oxidative stress, a.k.a. free radical damage. In skin, this damage can present as fine lines and wrinkles, dull skin tone, dark spots and the breakdown of essential proteins (like collagen).
How to Prevent Free Radical Damage?
Antioxidants effectively neutralize free radicals, preventing them from creating oxidative stress and damaging cells. While the body does create its own antioxidants, topical application of antioxidants to the skin can also help to prevent oxidative stress in skin cells. Popular antioxidants in skincare include vitamins C and E, CoQ10, resveratrol, niacinamide, sea buckthorn and green tea.
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