Oxidative stress is responsible for much of the premature ageing of the skin, causing wrinkles, loss of firmness and elasticity, dark spots, dull tone… To deal with it, it is important to incorporate antioxidants into your beauty routine, in addition to following a healthy diet. , exercise and sleep well. We explain what exactly oxidative stress is and how to combat it to protect your skin. In addition, we offer you a selection of the best antioxidants for you to incorporate into your beauty routine.
Although it may sound false from the age of 25, the skin begins to age. Cell renewal slows down and as a consequence wrinkles, spots, dull tones, etc. appear. Genetics plays a fundamental role in skin ageing, but experts say that there are external factors that are more important. And here comes what is known as oxidative stress.
What is Oxidative Stress?
Oxidative stress is the damage produced in our body as a result of cellular functioning. This normal functioning of our cells produces, in its chemical reactions, reactive species of oxygen ( free radicals ), which are harmful to themselves and their environment. Our body is capable of neutralising a large part of these free radicals, but over time that neutralising capacity is gradually reduced.
How does Oxidative Stress affect the skin?
First of all, you have to know that oxidative stress affects all the tissues of our body. In the specific case of the skin. We must add the damage caused by external agents such as sun exposure, pollution, tobacco, and irritating substances. Oxidative stress causes premature ageing of the skin in the form of wrinkles, by reducing the production of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid (the pillars of skin firmness, hydration and elasticity). In addition, it is responsible for the loss of luminosity and spots that cause irregular and dull tones.
Can Oxidative Stress be Prevented?
Yes, and for this, it is essential to incorporate antioxidants into the beauty routine, in addition to using sunscreen daily. But, in addition, a healthy diet, regular moderate exercise and sleep 7-8 hours a day, since it is at night when our skin cells regenerate and repair the damage caused during the day. And it is that among the factors that cause an increase in free radicals are stress, a diet poor in antioxidants and rich in processed foods, alcohol, pollution, tobacco smoke and ultraviolet rays.
Antioxidants are Essential to Prevent Premature Ageing
When we talk about antioxidants we refer to substances that prevent oxidative stress and premature ageing of cells, avoiding the action of free radicals. And what are the topical antioxidants that we can use? The most commonly used are vitamin C, ferulic acid and resveratrol. The dermatologist advises using them in the morning, in serum format, although some creams also include them. The most important thing when choosing them is the concentration and pH at which they are formulated so that they maintain their effectiveness.
