Once upon a time, skin care was all about topical products like masks and toners.
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A major step?
Fighting oxidative stress, one of the primary contributors to aging.
What is oxidative stress?
Oxidative stress starts withmolecules called free radicals1.
This means free radicals will steal electrons from healthy molecules to stabilize themselves.
Oh, and guess what happens tothatmolecule?
It turns into a free radical, and the chain reaction continues.
Our bodies have natural ways of keeping free radicals in check, though.
Plus, free radicals aren’t necessarily malicious.
In low to moderate amounts, they can lend a hand.
For instance, white blood cells calledphagocytes make and store free radicals2.
If unwelcome invaders come around, the phagocytes can come to our defense by unleashing free radicals.
How does oxidative stress affect the skin?
A prolonged state of oxidative stress speeds up theskin aging process4.
It can also trigger dark spots and other discoloration.
Essentially, your skinand the rest of your bodyis not a fan of extended oxidative stress.
How do you fight oxidative stress?
At this point, you’re probably thinking:How do I stop this?
Then the following habits can also help you combat oxidative stressand ultimately, promotecellular beauty.
Consume antioxidants.
Antioxidantsare molecules that stabilize free radicals by donating an electron.
This is important because antioxidants don’tturn into free radicals after giving away an electron.
Or, they might make free radicals harmless by breaking them down.
That’s why it’s crucial to consume an antioxidant-rich diet, saysMichele Green, M.D., cosmetic dermatologist.
“Antioxidants protect the inner and outer skin from free radicals,” she explains.
“They [also] provide protection from the sun and aid in cellular repair.”
Antioxidant-rich foodscan be summed up in one word: plants.
(For what it’s worthyour body also produces antioxidants on it’s own, too.
But consuming additional varieties helps your body function properly.)
*Coenzyme Q10is an antioxidant that’s actually naturally produced by the body, but declines with age.
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Apply antioxidants topically.
Why not address it holistically, no?
“Skin care products with antioxidants are essential to overall skin health,” says Green.
Our built-in reserve supports skin health, elasticity, and texture.
However, “as we age, our reserve diminishes.
Using products rich in CoQ10 can bring back youthfulness to the skin,” notes Green.
The goal is to boost your body’s overall defenses by consumingandapplying antioxidants.
Wear sunscreen regularly.
If you’re a skin care fanatic, you probably saw this coming.
External aging, after all, is primarily fueled byUV radiation4and the oxidative stress that comes with it.
Hilsabeck compares this effect on your skin to a bull in a china shop.
“UV radiation comes in, knocking electrons around and creating negative chain reactions,” he says.
This depletes your antioxidant stores, adds Cheung, which can result in leathery, wrinkled skin.
So, about thatsunscreen.
Check out our favoritemineral sunscreenshere.
make a run at reduce your stress levels.
Psychological stressdoesn’t just harm your heart and mindit also promotesoxidative stress in the skin.
If this persists, it can overpower the skin’s antioxidant defenses, leading to signs of aging.
This is why mental health and mindful practices are an essential part of skin care.
Also, when you’re stressed, your body puts skin health on the back burner.
“Emotional and mental stress trigger afight-or-flight response,” explains Hilsabeck.
And if your body is constantly in this state of stress, it will prioritize survival, he says.
Aim to get better sleep.
There’s a reason the term “beauty sleep” exists.
According to Green,inadequate sleepprevents the skin from properly repairing itself.
It alsocauses oxidative stress10, she says, leaving the skin looking sallow.
Other side effects include wrinkles, pigmentation changes, and other signs of aging.
And, get this:Melatoninthe “sleep hormone"isalsoan antioxidant.
Afull night’s rest(and exposure to darkness) is essential for making enough melatonin.
Basically, without enough shut-eye, cellular beauty will take a hit.
