You read and hear about this word all the time. Its in our foods, skin care products, and in tons of anti-aging remedies and treatments. But what exactly do antioxidants do and why are they great for our skin and body?
An antioxidant is a molecule found in many natural resources such as fruits and vegetables. It can slow and even prevent the oxidation of other molecules from occurring. Oxidation produces free radicals which starts damaging healthy cells in our skin and body. By consuming antioxidants or using them topically, they can slow this process down and save our cells from corruption.
Many health problems are linked to free radical damage such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. By consuming certain fruits and vegetables every day, you can lower your risk of getting these diseases. Foods that are rich in vitamin C and E are very important for your diet and health. They can be found in citrus fruits, broccoli, green leaf veggies, strawberries, whole grains, nuts, seed, vegetable oil, and liver oil. Other common antioxidants can be found in soy, red wine, certain grapes, pomegranate, cranberries, tea, and tomato products.
Many topical skin care products are also formulated with antioxidants. Using these will help your skin and face from free radical damage and damage from the sun. The sun is an oxidizing agent and over exposure can burn and age your skin. Certain products, such as Vivité Daily Antioxidant Facial Serum contains a blend of green tea, pomegranate, and licorice, which are all high in natural antioxidants. They’ll work with your skin’s natural defense system to keep your skin firm and prevent aging symptoms such as fine lines and wrinkles.
Use this chart as an example of other types of antioxidant rich foods:
