How Antioxidants Protect Your Skin
Antioxidants are an essential part of an effective skincare regimen . Antioxidants repair unstable molecules by donating an electron to a free radical . This then reduces the radical ’ s reactivity . What makes antioxidants unique is that donating an electron doesn ’ t make them reactive or unstable , meaning they do not turn into a free radical themselves . A great way to visibly see the effects of oxidation is to cut open an apple and leave it out on the counter . It will start to turn brown after a few minutes . This is oxidation . Now , if we try this again by cutting open an apple and squeezing lemon juice on it , this will reduce the oxidation and browning . That is what antioxidants do for your skin over time . Applying antioxidants topically will protect your skin against free radical damage , similar to how the lemon juice stopped the oxidation of the apple . iS Clinical took the liberty of saving us from bathing in lemon juice and formulated an amazing range of topical antioxidant products .
The Challenge With Antioxidants
The challenge with antioxidants is that they are difficult to keep stable . As soon as they are exposed to oxygen or light , they start to break down and lose their efficacy . Aside from the challenge of keeping them stable , antioxidants must be formulated to be non-irritating yet still at an adequate concentration to be effective . The challenge is then passed on to you , the skincare provider , to find a reputable skincare line . Remember , not all topical antioxidants are created equal ! You want to find a skincare company that will test their antioxidant products for efficacy from the time they are formulated to the time they are produced , bottled , and applied to the skin . I know that iS Clinical does this , and their strict attention to detail makes the iS Clinical line of antioxidants some of the best on the market . There are many powerful and effective antioxidants out there . The most common ones found in skincare are green tea extract , resveratrol , vitamins A , C , and E . One of my favorite , most