Free radicals are reactive molecules created naturally by the body, particularly when it is exposed to sunlight or under stress. Excessive exercise can also trigger abnormal free radical production due to the increased intake of oxygen. The smoke, chemicals and toxins that we encounter in everyday city life cause almost continual free radical production (the skin can generate free radicals in a millionth of a second if exposed to cigarette smoke).
Free radicals are unstable molecules that act as scavengers in the skin, damaging connective tissue, cell membranes and DNA, our basic genetic building blocks. On the skin, this chemical chaos results in a heightened skin cancer risk and premature ageing. Young, healthy skin has sufficient enzymes and vitamins to neutralize these 'terrorists', but as we age, our natural defense mechanisms become depleted and the skin becomes less effective at defending itself from attack. Antioxidants are currently our best method of limiting free radical damage. They work by stopping the formation of free radicals and 'mopping them up' as the form.
How do free radicals form?
- Oxygen molecules have four pairs of electrons. Sun, smoking, stress, etc. can cause the loss of electrons. At this stage the molecule, desperate to 'regain' its lost electron, is defined as a free radical. So begins the raid on other molecules.
- Scavenging free radicals take an electron from other molecules, thus creating new free radicals that go on their own rampage.
- This chain reaction eventually causes the cell membrane to disintegrate, leaving the cell vulnerable to premature ageing and disease.
- Antioxidants remove free radicals as they form by replacing the lost electrons and so creating normal oxygen molecules.
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