#NOURISHYOURSKIN SERIES: ANTIOXIDANTS PART 2 - WHAT IS OXIDATIVE STRESS AND WHO ARE ANTIOXIDANTS FOR?

As part of our ongoing efforts to demystify buzz words and popularise high-performance skincare ingredients, let’s talk about antioxidants. Many of our day-to-day activities create the premises for oxidative stress to occur ; read on to find out more about the definition of oxidative stress as well as its key causes and effects. If you want to know more about what are antioxidants, their benefits and the potent ones we carefully selected for the Nourish London range, you can find Part 1 of this blog here.

WHAT IS OXIDATIVE STRESS?

Many natural actives possess antioxidant qualities. In fact, the definition of antioxidant is any active that protects cells from the damage caused by oxidative stress.

If ‘oxidative stress’ sounds very abstract, think processed foods, exposure to outdoor / indoor chemical pollution, or a heatwave. This process triggers the so-called free radicals, highly unstable molecules that cause oxidative damage. The definition of oxidative stress is an imbalance between antioxidants and free radicals in our body. In our diet, antioxidants provide much-needed compounds to help preserve our health in a variety of ways and neutralise free radicals in the body. This is one of the reasons a rainbow-coloured and highly varied Mediterranean diet is so popular (and likely to have your doctor’s approval).

Many antioxidants are unique in how they function to preserve vitality and even work in a synergy. This applies to our powerful cosmetic antioxidants too. An example: Vitamin E and Ferulic Acid are both found in Argan Oil and together enhance their antioxidant activity on the skin, making Argan one of the most sought-after anti-ageing oils.

THE ATOMIC LEVEL

Here at Nourish London we are real skin science geeks, so let’s step back for a moment and look at what happens at the atomic level when oxidative stress occurs.

Our bodies are made up of molecules which are made up of atoms. For atoms in our body to be happy and stable they need to contain a pair of electrons. When an atom is missing an electron the resulting atom is called free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that are very reactive and react to cause damage in the skin. They cause damage to our skin's DNA and accelerate ageing.

The body produces free radicals and ROS (reactive oxygen species) in mitochondria. In simple terms, mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cells – their main role is to produce energy within cells. They have a role in cells' signaling and are produced and removed by the body in balance. But external factors can generate more free radicals and ROS which creates an imbalance. When this imbalance occurs, oxidative stress happens in the skin. The main factors causing oxidative stress are the environment (pollution, UV) or our lifestyle (bad eating habits, smoking, drinking alcohol, drugs, pesticides or chemicals exposure, insufficient sleep, stress, etc.)

Antipollution skincare aims to help the skin deal with the effects of free radicals and avoid the consequences of oxidative stress such as increased wrinkles, saggy skin, epidermal thickness, dull skin, hyperpigmentation (from UVA or UVB rays).

WHO ARE ANTIOXIDANTS FOR?

One of the most common questions you ask us when we present a new product: ‘what skin type needs this’? When it comes to antioxidants, the answer is simple: anyone can benefit from an anti-oxidant boost in their skincare. As our founder Dr Pauline Hili likes to remind us, these actives are even more effective in bringing skincare results when applied topically. In the long run, the constant skin repair encouraged by these molecules helps provide a visible improvement. Oxidative stress is a key player in premature skin ageing which is important to keep in mind when choosing the best actives for your skin type.

In fact, most widespread skin concerns will benefit from integrating Antioxidants. To make it extra easy to find the best suited actives for your skin we have created a handy list with frequent skin concerns and the matching Antioxidants. You can read them all if (like us) you are a skincare fanatic or skip directly to the ones that speak to your current skin needs!

• Hyperpigmentation and Age Spots
• Lacklustre skin, Congestion
• Premature Ageing
• Scarring
• Adult Acne
• Dehydration and Sensitivity

HYPERPIGMENTATION AND AGE SPOTS

• Turmerone – A powerful compound derived from Turmeric (Curcuma Longa), Turmerone works as an Antioxidant by inducing cellular defence mechanisms against oxidative stress. It was also shown to decrease wrinkle depth and increase skin radiance, as well as even out skin tone. This ingredient is prominently featured in our NEW Antioxidant Peptide Mist.
• Vitamin C – Obtained via fresh Citrus fruits or isolated from plant extracts, Vitamin C is by far the queen of antioxidants. Proven to boost immune response in the body, it instantly firms, even skin tones and encourages collagen production when applied topically. Vitamin C is featured in many if our products and particularly in our Antioxidant Multi-Tasking Super Balm.
• Liquorice Extract – The Liquorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has been used in Asia for centuries to diminish inflammation and thanks to its compound glabridin, it helps inhibit the enzyme that causes pigmentation. It also has anti-irritation and purifying properties so it is truly suitable for all skin needs and feels. This ingredient is featured in our NEW Antioxidant Peptide Mist.