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Free radicals are disturbed oxygen molecules that are damaging to the skin and to the inner workings of the body. They are caused mainly by UV radiation from the sun, stress, obesity, smoking, pollution and chemical additives.

A healthy body is able to cope with regular attacks from free radicals but if there is over-exposure to one or more of the factors listed above, the body starts to degenerate. One of the early visible symptoms is a change in the skin’s appearance. The skin will start to sag and wrinkle at a much earlier stage. So how much are we actively accelerating the process with the way we live our lives?

We can defend ourselves from these free radical scavengers by increasing our exposure to antioxidants. These are chemical compounds that have a reparative effect and destroy the damage caused by the free radicals. Antioxidants can be found naturally in vitamins A, C and E and often make-up artists will use these topically on the skin to encourage an even texture.

We know that unprotected over-exposure to the sun causes skin ailments and using an SPF of at least 15 every day is essential in battling free radicals and maintaining youthful skin. The skin absorbs the sun’s strong UV rays and in the process warps and damages cells which can, over time, be the cause of skin cancers.

Eating pre-packaged foods and foods containing artificial colours and preservatives again increases your intake of radicals and will reflect badly on your skin, increasing dryness and encouraging cellular breakdown, leading to obvious lines and wrinkles.

Green tea, herbal or fruit extracts, are natural extracts added to cosmetics. They are natural antioxidants that work to protect the skin from UVB sun rays – the rays that cause the skin to burn when exposed to them. In turn this damaged skin will reduce its production of collagen and consequently increase wrinkle production, so taking preventative steps will reduce the effects of these harmful rays.

Nature’s fusion of fruit, herb or plant extracts enhance the anti-oxidant power of cosmetics.

Vitamin and mineral boosts can dramatically improve internal immunity.

“Live life through your skin – don’t hide behind it! ”