Antioxidant substances are used to neutralize free radicals, which are produced by cells in the oxidation process.
However, the body fights this process naturally, generating substances that are capable of neutralizing the formation of free radicals and oxidative stress.
Despite this, there are factors that favor the accumulation of free radicals, such as poor diet, poor nutrition, stress or loss of vitamins.
If the oxidation is greater than the oxidative response, the skin begins to show the effects of aging. This leads to the appearance of wrinkles, skin spots, loss of tone and elasticity.
In addition, as we age, the production of natural antioxidants decreases. If we add external agents, which also influence skin aging, such as ultraviolet radiation, pollution, smoking or stress, from a certain point onwards it is advisable to use an external supplement that facilitates the production of collagen in the body.
Free radicals
Free radicals are molecules that are responsible for producing the cells of the organism with electrons that have been stripped of their electrons.
This characteristic makes them react by attacking stable molecules in order to keep their electrons. In doing so, these stable molecules are oxidized and converted into free radicals, which react by attacking other healthy molecules.
In the diet we can include many foods rich in antioxidants (fruits, vegetables, legumes and cereals), such as vitamins C and E, beta-carotenes, flavonoids, selenium, zinc and copper.
Antioxidants in cosmetics
The major source of free radical creation is solar radiation. Therefore, one of the key care guidelines is ultraviolet protection and the prevention of premature aging.
Because inflammation contributes to the degradation of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid, reducing inflammation is another approach to prevent wrinkle formation.
To prevent and delay the effect of free radicals, we can use natural antioxidants in cosmetics, which are responsible for minimizing oxidative stress.
Most important antioxidants:
- Vitamin E: it is photoprotective.
- Resveratrol: helps in the reduction of tumor formation, is an antioxidant and photoprotective.
- Retinol: regenerates the properties of the skin. Retinol peeling helps to improve the barrier function of the epidermis, stimulates collagen production and slows down water loss.
- Vitamin C: reduces photoaging, wrinkle formation, improves collagen synthesis and skin barrier function.
- Vitamin B3 or niacinamide: improves skin elasticity and appearance.
Most cosmetic companies extract these antioxidant substances from plants and fruit trees. We usually find combinations of extracts of green tea, rosemary, basil, grape, blueberry, tomato, etc., which contain polyphenols, flavonoids, stilbenes and carotenoids.
Mesoactives products, such as Skin Radiance and Mesolift, contain a set of very potent antioxidants, which, when introduced with transdermal electroporation, achieve very good results.
The combination of these antioxidants has been shown to be effective against photoaging and skin aging. However, the key now is to obtain stable formulations that can be used on the skin.
Commitment to quality
This text on antioxidants has been prepared by professional editors. In addition, we have relied on experts in medicine, engineering and aesthetics as a source of information, as well as specific studies to maintain the quality of what we publish.
At Sisneo Bioscience we are committed to publish truthful and contrasted information. And to update or correct it as soon as new knowledge becomes available.
Among others, we have used the following sources:
- Montse Vilaplana. «Antioxidantes presentes en los alimentos. Vitaminas, minerales y suplementos» en Elsevier.
- Marta Coronado H., Salvador Vega y León, Rey Gutiérrez T., Marcela Vázquez F. y Claudia Radilla V. «Antioxidantes: perspectiva actual para la salud humana» en Revista Chilena de Nutrición.
