What's the Big Deal with Antioxidant Creams
Not a day goes by that we don't get wind of some new catch phrase in the world of skin care products. We all know that manufacturers are interested in selling their products, so they try using appealing words and ingredients to catch our eye. However, not all of the hype is true.
By all means, antioxidant skin care is precisely one of these catchy phrases. But, is there any truth behind it? In this case, there is.
Free radicals can be produced by the aging process, UV radiation, smoking, and pollution. Free radicals are produced when a molecule is missing one electron or has an odd number of electrons. The problem with this scenario is that electrons exist in pairs and will steal electrons from other molecules to stabilize themselves.
This process starts a chain reaction which ends up damaging and destroying molecules. If enough cells are destroyed, the damage will start to show on your skin. This also means that your skin will gradually begin to deteriorate.
Here come antioxidants to the rescue! Antioxidants are substances that are willing to sacrifice one of their electrons to neutralize the effect of free radicals. Antioxidants are usually derived from food products such as fruits and vegetables. Many antioxidant skin cream contain one or more of the following antioxidants.
Vitamin A (carotenoids)
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Flavonoids or polyphenols
Vitamin A is often used to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and pigmentation problems. Vitamin C, however, is often used to help treat age spots and combat the effects of smoking. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that has anti inflammatory properties.
The Sources of Vitamin A, C and E
Fruits and vegetables that are red, orange or yellow contain high levels of Vitamin A. These foods include carrots, squash, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, cantaloupes, peaches and apricots. You can also attain Vitamin A from broccoli, kale and collard greens.
Vitamin C is obtained from all kinds of citrus fruits. Spinach and lettuce are also good sources of Vitamin C, along with, strawberries and tomatoes.
Nuts, seeds and whole grains are the main sources of Vitamin E. You can also attain if from different oils such as vegetable oil and liver oil. Once again big, leafy vegetables also contain Vitamin E.
Where to Get Flavonoids and Polyphenols
Both flavonoids and polyphenols can be obtained through grapes, red wine, pomegranates, cranberries and any type of tea.
Remember that an effective anti-aging routine will include foods in addition to topical products that contain antioxidants.
BIOSKINBALM is a natural anti aging cream that contains snail serum, and squalene from olive oil, both ingredients are potent antioxidants for age spots and antioxidants for skin aging. But not only is this product a great antioxidant treatment, BIOSKINBALM is also a soothing facial cream that can be used on all skin types without fearing undesirable side effects.
Published February 23rd, 2010
Filed in Beauty