Best Natural Skincare to Fight Against Free Radicals

What are free radicals?

Created from pollutants, dust, cigarette smoke, chemicals and UV rays, free radicals attach to our skin cells and causes oxidative stress to the skin. Over time, this leads to premature aging, causing fine lines and wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, and reduced plumpness. It is hard to avoid these things when we step outside, but luckily research has shown that we can combat these free radicals, and the answer is in our skincare.

Signs of Free Radical Damage

If you suffer from any of these skin concerns, it could be a sign that free radicals are damaging your skin.

1. Premature aging – loss of skin elasticity and appearance of wrinkles

2. Sun damage – higher risk of UV ray damage leading to premature aging

3. Skin pigmentation – uneven skin tone

4. Skin irritation – inflammation or rashes

5. Dry skin – more red skin tone and feeling itchy

6. Acne outbreak – noticeable appearance of spots

7. Dulled complexion – skin has lost its dewy glow

The Power of Antioxidants

It is no coincidence that skincare is being packed full of natural antioxidants in recent years. They have been shown to rejuvenate the skin, and offer long-term protection from environmental stressors, things that are key to keeping our skin looking healthy and youthful.

It also turns out that antioxidants can neutralise free radicals, preventing them from damaging our skin. We have our own natural level of antioxidants that do this daily, but with the rising levels of free radicals, we need a little bit of help from our skincare to replenish these antioxidants more regularly.

Top 5 Free Radical Fighting Antioxidants

Vitamin C

Also known as L-Ascorbic acid, vitamin C helps to protect skin cells and minimise damage against UV rays. It is also excellent at repairing sun-damaged skin. So if your skin is already showing signs of sun damage, applying vitamin C can fix these concerns and give you radiant skin. Vitamin C also stimulates collagen production, which is necessary to maintain skin elasticity, leaving you with plumper and firmer-looking skin.

Vitamin E

Added to many skincare products, vitamin E helps to stabilise other antioxidants so they work better on your skin. Vitamin E also has strong healing properties, so it’s able to reduce the appearance of scars and marks and leave you with smooth and healthy-looking skin. This makes it a perfect antioxidant for issues like eczema or psoriasis.

Vitamin A

Also known as retinol or retinoid, vitamin A has important antioxidant properties that target premature aging and acne. It speeds up the cell renewal process, helping to repair existing sun damage. Like vitamin C, it also stimulates collagen production, leaving you with a glowing and youthful skin complexion.

Vitamin B3

Also known as niacinamide, vitamin B3 has anti-inflammatory properties making it best suitable for sensitive skin. It improves overall skin texture through visibly minimising and tightening pores and diminishing dullness, and helps to both repair and strengthen the skin’s outer barrier over time.

Green Tea

Green tea extract works well in skincare with other antioxidants. It is also a natural preservative for vitamin C. The presence of polyphenols in green tea extract makes it a top free radical-fighting ingredient, and its anti-bacterial nature makes it especially effective for treating acne and unclogging pores.

These powerful antioxidants are most effective when combined together. Not only can they help to fight against free radical damage, but actually start to reverse the damage already done to the skin cells. So to win the fight against free radicals, incorporate an antioxidant serum into your daily skincare and a good strong SPF.

Our Serene SkinLab Renew Serum contains all of these antioxidants, which are enhanced with traditional Chinese medicine herbs like Ginseng and Bai Ji which boost the skin’s immune system, and help to calm and cool the skin. Because all the ingredients used are natural and gentle, it is suitable for all skin types.