|
 The sun, smoking, pollution, poor metabolism - these and other factors on a daily basis generate free radicals, which are the main cause of aging. But there is a saving antioxidants that fight free radicals, helping us to stay healthy and young as long as possible.
What are free radicals
Free radicals are highly unstable molecules created by the process of oxidation. This occurs when the oxygen molecule, which is stable, as it has an even number of electrons in a chemical reaction loses one of these electrons. These new molecules called free radicals.
Since free radicals are missing an electron, they need to find it quickly. To do this, the free radical attacks another molecule, to get him out of it. This results in damage to DNA, cells and proteins. In addition, start a chain reaction, as the newly formed free radical also need to find a missing electron, "attacking" to another molecule. And so on. This chain can not only accelerate the aging process, but also cause diseases such as cancer and heart disease.
Why start this oxidation process? Well, it may be caused by external factors such as ultraviolet radiation, pollution, smoking and alcohol, and internal processes in the body, such as metabolic disorders or inflammation.
What is the work of antioxidants
- Antioxidants - is to protect the body from damage caused by oxidation process, which produces free radicals. Popular antioxidants are vitamins C and E, selenium, coenzyme Q10, flavonoids and beta-carotene.
- Antioxidants can be classified into two groups: those that violate the chain of free radicals (such as vitamins C and E), and those that neutralize free radicals, slowing or even preventing chain reactions.
- Attacks of free radicals we are exposed constantly and for many years, it can cause a lot of harm to our body. Unfortunately, our body itself does not produce enough antioxidants to neutralize all these injuries.
 - But there are some things we can do to prevent, at least partly, the formation of free radicals. The measures are quite simple and known to many daily use of sunscreen, do not smoke, do not consume too much alcohol and the use of cosmetic products that contain antioxidants.
- Antioxidants can be powerful allies in the fight against premature aging, but not all of them are equally effective. Above all, they must be present in a cosmetic product in high concentrations, so if you spot them at the end of the list of ingredients, the sense from these antioxidants will not.
- Packaging is also important. Some anti-oxidants are more stable, more - less than, but they decompose under the influence of light and air. Thus, it makes sense to choose cosmetic products with antioxidants, are packaged in opaque bottles or tubes rather than glass.
- Also note that, with the exception of vitamin A, antioxidants can prevent the appearance of new wrinkles, but can not do anything for those wrinkles that you already have.
- It is important that anti-aging effect will take months, if not years, before you will see some results.
 - Antioxidants are more effective when taken orally, through the food. But be careful, because large amounts of antioxidants can be toxic.
- In any case, eat healthy foods rich in antioxidants, is more beneficial than getting these substances through supplements. Vitamin E can be found in green leafy vegetables, olives, almonds, peanuts and walnuts, avocado and liver. Vitamin C is found in citrus fruits, leafy green vegetables, peppers, potatoes, tomatoes and strawberries. Beta-carotene is in the mango, papaya, peppers, spinach, sweet potatoes and apricots. Selenium is found in seafood, brown rice, chicken, pork and beef.
The most popular antioxidants in the composition of cosmetics
And now, when most of us have no doubt about the need antioxidants I think you will be interested to see the list of the most common ones that are found in cosmetics. This list can be an excellent reason to check your makeup and apply it when buying a new one.
-
Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA, Alpha Lipoic Acid)
Alpha-lipoic acid is the enzyme soluble in both water and oil, which easily penetrates the skin. It has powerful antioxidant properties, as well as the ability to regenerate vitamins C and E, which improves their efficiency. However, the antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid scientifically substantiated by ingestion, and while there is no evidence that ALA will provide the same properties when applied topically. In addition, the ALA are more vulnerable to degradation by sunlight than most antioxidants, and its high concentration (5% or more) can cause a negative reaction of the skin (burning and stinging).
 -
Coenzyme Q10
Coenzyme Q10 is a fat-soluble compound that is already present in all human cells, but its reserves disappear under the influence of the sun. Coenzyme Q10 helps fight free radicals, stimulates collagen production and reduces skin damage from ultraviolet radiation.
-
Glutathione
Glutathione - a protein derived from glycine, glutamic acid and cysteine, he, like coenzyme is produced in the tissues of animals and humans, but its reserves are depleted due to exposure to the sun. Therefore, its presence in cosmetics justified. It helps to fight free radicals.
-
Grape Seed Extract
Frequent ingredient in anti-aging cosmetics. Grape seed extract contains anthocyanins, flavonoids and polyphenols, all compounds it with strong antioxidant properties. They help to fight free radicals, improves collagen synthesis and reduce the damaging effects of sunlight (but this is not a sunscreen, and such functions in the grape seed extract is not necessary to impose).
-
Green tea
Green tea is rich in polyphenols (powerful antioxidants). They help reduce damage to the skin from free radical damage to the DNA level, as well as to help protect the skin from harmful sun rays and their effects (including cancer). Another component of tea is epigallocatechin-3-gallate, it has been shown that it significantly reduces collagen destruction.
-
Vitamin A
Vitamin A and its derivatives (retinoids) are the gold standard for anti-aging components. Some of the forms used in cosmetic products are: retinol, retinyl palmitate, retinoic acid (tretinoin) and retinilaldegid. Vitamin A - is the only ingredient that has proven effective in reducing wrinkles (but it takes at least 3 months to see the first results). In addition, it improves the production of collagen and creates healthy skin cells. However, retinoids can cause redness, peeling and stinging in some women, it is recommended to start with products that contain low concentrations of these ingredients and use them every day, as long as your skin gets used to it.
-
Vitamin C
Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) and derivatives thereof (e.g., ascorbic palmitate Ascorbyl magnesium phosphate, sodium phosphate, and ascorbyl glucoside, etc.) Have strong antioxidant properties. Vitamin C increases the production of collagen, reduces inflammation, strengthens the natural barrier of the skin and offers some protection from the sun (again, it can not replace sunscreen). However, this vitamin is very unstable and is rapidly oxidized (ie, degraded) when exposed to light and air.
-
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is also popular in cosmetics, but is most often used in combination with vitamin A. Vitamin A helps to reduce the formation of free radicals and, when applied before sun exposure, it helps to prevent and reduce redness, burns and DNA damage caused by UV rays. But this does not mean that you can not use sunscreen! Use of vitamin E in combination with vitamin A enhances the effectiveness of sunscreen active ingredients.
|
|
|
|
|
|
