Skincare, food supplements, nutrition advice: to stay healthy and face the challenges of aging, you are constantly being advised to get plenty of antioxidants. But do you really know why? What exactly is the "oxidative stress" that is so important to fight? Let us explain...
The Aging of the Skin, a Natural Phenomenon
In terms of skin care, it is important to understand that the tissue aging is a natural and unavoidable phenomenon. That is why we favor the pro-aging to anti age. The idea, aging well rather than trying to hide his age…
Before delving into the heart of the matter, it’s time for a little chemistry lesson! Skin aging is the result of free radicals, which cause oxidation of our cells. Produced in excess by our bodies, notably under the influence of ultraviolet rays, free radicals are atoms or molecules that have lost or gained an electron. This makes them naturally unstable and constantly capture electrons from other molecules around them, for example the elastin and collagen molecules that give the skin its suppleness and elasticity. Wrinkles, Visible Consequences on the Skin
How does one get antioxidants?
Antioxidants are compounds such as vitamins C and E, coenzyme Q10, beta-carotenes… The primary source of antioxidants is a balanced diet. Key foods include oily fish, apricots, carrots, spinach, citrus fruit, fruit and pulses, wholegrain cereals, vegetable oils, and green tea.
However, studies on the subject show that antioxidants can also penetrate skin cells. That’s the reason why there are so many antioxidant creams on the market. But not all are equally effective.
Antioxidant Skincare
With so many antioxidant skincare products on the market today, it’s hard to pick the right one. You need to ask the right questions.
First off, look at what the product is made of. Indeed, an antioxidant-rich formula is advantageous, but if it also contains risky petrochemicals, its overall effects may not be so positive. This is when you need to take the time to read the label, or simply trust Organic labels.
The second thing to look is the origin of the antioxidants. Here, it’s a matter of preferring natural-origin antioxidants. We do, with the red algae extracts present in most of our skincare products.
Finally, the question remains whether the antioxidants in the formulas are stable and how they are preserved. Generally, they are very light-sensitive and degrade rapidly. That is why you should look for opaque packaging, as it preserves the properties of the products.
Want to fill up on antioxidants in a thoughtful, environmentally-friendly way? Discover our Suncare and Hydra-Protect+ product ranges, Organic and made with red algae extracts to replicate natural protective and preventive measures.