There is a lot of talk about free radicals and the damaging effect they have on our skin. More and more skincare products boast of reversing their effects. What exactly are free radicals and what can we do what about it?Unfortunately, our bodies are constantly being bombarded with toxins in our environment. Toxins that cause cellular damage. It is believed that disease begins on this cellular level. These are called free radicals. Free radicals have a direct role in aging the appearance of your skin. In addition, unprotected sun exposure, chemical exposure – possibly in skincare products, and normal chemical processes in the body all contribute to the body’s production of free radicals.
The good news is that antioxidants can completely reverse the damage that free radicals have on the skin. First and foremost it means eating a diet rich in antioxidants. These include Vitamins A, C and E and lycopene. There are many foods that you probably already eat that high in antioxidants.
- Vitamin A: mangoes, sweet potatoes, cantaloupe, carrots, spinach, eggs
- Vitamin C: peppers, dark leafy greens, broccoli, strawberries
- Vitamin E: olive oil, kale, almonds, 100% whole wheat
- Lycopene: red cabbage, tomatoes, watermelon, asparagus
It’s also important to be aware of the ingredients in your skincare products. Look for natural products that contain some of these nutrients and then you will be able to fight those free radicals from both the inside and out.
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