Antioxidants: What They Are, Where They Are Found, and Why They Are Useful for the Skin

Antioxidants are the first allies in the fight against free radicals, unstable molecules responsible for oxidative stress in the body. Free radicals (  or ROS) can be formed due to endogenous and exogenous factors. In fact, they can be generated by the body’s metabolic processes or derive from external causes, such as:

• Environmental pollution
• Stress
• Use of alcohol
• Smoke
• Exposure to UVA and UVB rays

Antioxidants are used to neutralize the negative effects of free radicals. The presence of a quantity of free radicals that overcomes antioxidant defenses, in fact, can generate oxidative stress capable of damaging the body’s cells and altering their normal functions.

Antioxidants, such as glutathione and coenzyme Q10, can be generated within the body or obtained through a balanced diet, skin care products, and dietary supplements.

The body takes in antioxidants in the form of vitamins and substances such as:

• Vitamin A or Retinol
• Vitamin E or Tocopherol
• Vitamin C or Ascorbic Acid
• Zinc
• Selenium
• Copper
• Polyphenols
• Carotenoids.

The Mediterranean diet (with a prevalence of fruits, vegetables and olive oil) is rich in antioxidant foods. Among the foods that contain the most antioxidants are:

• Yellow, orange and red vegetables, such as carrots, tomatoes, squash and peppers, but also spinach and asparagus
• Coffee, tea and cocoa
• Cheese, milk and eggs
• Cereals
• Legumes
• Fish, especially mackerel, swordfish, herring, salmon
• Olive oil, oil seeds and nuts
• Fruits such as kiwi, citrus fruits, pomegranate, watermelon, strawberries, currants and grape juice.

Antioxidants are also useful for maintaining skin health. Oxidative stress caused by free radicals, in fact, causes premature aging of the skin because it damages Collagen, Elastin, and Hyaluronic Acid, which are responsible for the tone and health of the skin, and the cells responsible for their production.

Antioxidants have many benefits, in fact they prevent:

• The appearance of wrinkles
• Loss of tone
• Acne  and pimple breakouts
• Hyperpigmentation and the formation of spots on the skin, giving brightness to the skin
• Skin damage caused by the sun , such as sunburn or photoaging.

Skin aging is a natural process, but by taking the right amount of antioxidants and following a healthy lifestyle, premature aging of tissues can be prevented. To prevent it, there are some measures that can be adopted, such as:

• Avoid alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking
• Have a balanced diet
• Cleanse your face daily to remove smog and harmful particles in the air from your skin
• Protect your skin from sun exposure with sunscreen .