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Free radicals are a hot topic in skincare, but why? What exactly are free radicals, how are they affecting our skin, and which skincare products can combat free radicals and keep them far, far away before they can do damage?
They can come from damaging UV rays and environmental triggers like pollution, dust, and smoke. When free radicals make contact with your skin, they try to rob it of atoms. And when this happens, your skin cells are damaged, which weakens your skin’s barrier and can cause a loss in laxity, resulting in sagging skin.
Free radical damage rears its ugly head in other ways, too — hyperpigmentation, or brown spots, can be one of the effects, as can premature wrinkles, fine lines, and broken blood vessels. Just as we’re hearing so much about foods with antioxidants that can combat free radical damage in your body and prevent illness, these skincare products for free radicals are rich in antioxidants that can protect and repair your skin.
Some of the most effective skincare ingredients for fighting free radicals include vitamins C and E and antioxidants like green tea extract. A popular way to deliver these vitamins and nutrients to the skin is by using a serum. But, before you go ahead and buy a brightening serum, you need to make sure you follow the correct order to apply skincare products:
1. Use A Cleanser
2. Apply A Toner
3. Apply A Brightening, vitamin C-rich serum
4. Use An Eye Cream
5. Follow With Moisturizer & Sunscreen
Ready to give your complexion the protection it needs to retain its youthful glow? Here are the five anti-aging serums that help destroy free radicals.
Odacité BI & J Blueberry And Jasmine Cell Energy Serum Concentrate ($45)
Described as containing a “treasure of antioxidants,” this serum relies on two oils to penetrate skin cells and protect against free radicals, while promoting new cell growth. Blueberry seed oil is highly absorbent and, as you may have heard, blueberries contain a wealth of antioxidants that are basically free radicals’ worst enemy. And jasmine oil has the power to heal irritated and compromised skin, reviving it and nurturing it back to good health. Use two to three drops of this serum before moisturizer or combine it with your favorite lotion.
Clinique Fresh Pressed Daily Booster With Pure Vitamin C 10% ($76.50)
The 10 percent vitamin C in this excellent skin boosting serum brightens and re-texturizes skin while going to town on cell-damaging free radicals. Mix two drops with your moisturizing (morning and night) and, if you’re like 36 percent of study participants, you’ll see brighter skin with the very first application. Over time, this serum can help prevent wrinkles and fine lines.
Dr. Dennis Gross C+ Collagen Brighten & Firm Vitamin C Serum ($78)
The potency of vitamin C in this serum is enhanced by a complex that includes CoQ10, niacinamide, and carnitine, all of which boost collagen production for firmer skin and brighten dark spots caused by free radical damage. Use this serum once a day on your face, neck, and décolleté and expect to see changes that include an improvement to dull, uneven skin and firmer, brighter skin.
Chantecaille Anti-Pollution Finishing Essence ($125)
With a name like "Anti-Pollution" Finishing Essence, you can be sure this lightweight serum takes a grand step toward fighting free radicals. Its key ingredients include desert cactus yeast extract and white tea extract, which contain serious antioxidant properties that repair skin and protect it against "soot and urban dust."
Grown Alchemist Anti-Oxidant Facial Oil ($44)
This sumptuous organic facial oil contains antioxidants like rosehip oil and camellia seed oil that fight free radicals, restore skin density, and make your complexion as smooth as silk.
Want more serum recommendations for younger-looking skin? Check out The Best Drugstore Serums For Every Skin Type and 7 Cheap Serums With Incredible Reviews & Reputations on SheFinds.com!
