Antioxidant Facials [Expert Opinion]

Antioxidants are substances that can fight free radicals, which, not without reason, are declared the main enemies of skin cells.

Free radicals are oxygen molecules that are missing one electron. They try to make up for their inferiority with healthy structures. Taking the missing electrons from other molecules, they destroy them.

Nature has provided the human body with its own antioxidants that neutralize free radicals before they can cause damage. But for a number of reasons, over time, free radicals become more and more. This difficult situation is called “oxidative stress”.

His main provocateurs:

• ultraviolet radiation;
• air pollution;
• tobacco and alcohol;
• emotional stress;
• improper nutrition.

An American scientist, professor of biogerontology Denham Harman published a scientific work in 1956 proving the harmful effects of free radicals, where he wrote:

“The accumulation of free radicals leads to tissue degradation and is a major cause of aging.”

Since the skin is our main protective organ, it is the first to take a hit. Obviously she needs antioxidant protection.

Residents of cities, where exposure to infrared radiation and tropospheric (harmful) ozone are especially aggressive, have an increased need for antioxidants.

The purpose of cosmetics is not just to provide the skin with new antioxidants, but also to take care of those already present in the body. The task is not easy, because the skin is not always ready to include extraneous elements in its “value system”.

Take, for example, vitamin C, the most well-known antioxidant. Getting it to work in a cosmetic formula proved quite difficult:

• large molecules do not penetrate the skin well;
• the substance is unstable and oxidizes rapidly.

1. Pure L-ascorbic acid.
2. High concentration of L-ascorbic acid (10–20%).
3. Formula with acidic pH (below 3,5).

• vitamin C;
• vitamin E;
• ferulic acid;
• phloretin;
• resveratrol.

• peelings;
• laser procedures;
• injections.