Antioxidants and The Free Radical Theory of Skin Aging

Organisms age as cells accumulate free radical damage over time, a free radical is a molecule that has a single unpaired electron. Most biologically-relevant free radicals are highly reactive, for most biological structures, free radical damage is closely associated with oxidative damage.

Antioxidants are reducing agents, and limit oxidative damage to biological structures by neutralizing free radicals. Redox is the term short for reduction–oxidation reaction. This is a chemical reaction where the oxidation states of atoms are changed. It involves both a reduction process and a complementary oxidation process, the key concepts involved with electron transfer. Redox includes all chemical reactions where the oxidation state changes and involves the transfer of electrons between chemical species. When the electron is stripped it is said to be oxidized by free radicals, when the electron is added is said to be reduced by antioxidants.

Oxidation is the loss of electrons or an increase in oxidation state by a molecule.

Reduction is the gain of electrons or a decrease in oxidation state by a molecule.

Oxidative Stress is an imbalance between the production of free radicals and the body’s ability to neutralize them with antioxidants. It is known to contribute to skin aging and thought to be part of the development of auto-immune diseases as in Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimer's, Parkinson’s, Diabetes, Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Cancers. Oxidative stress also plays a role in cardiovascular disease where oxidation triggers the cause of atherosclerosis. Antioxidants, such as glutathione, help protect DNA from oxidative stress.
Glutathione is one of the most important cellular antioxidants to prevent damage caused by free radicals. It is naturally produced in the body and made from specialized amino acids for metabolic and biochemical reactions such as DNA synthesis and repair. Glutathione binds to tyrosinase and helps prevent the production of melanin. Its antioxidant properties eliminate free radicals and inactivate tyrosinase, minimizing the potential for hyperpigmentation. It helps prevent the activation of tyrosinase by reducing free radicals that activate and cause an increase in melanin production. Choosing topical skin care products containing tyrosinase inhibitors can minimize the potential for oxidative stress to the skin and premature aging.

A vitamin is any of a group of organic compounds that are essential for normal growth and nutrition and are required in small quantities in the diet because they cannot be synthesized by the body…

Vitamins can be antioxidants:

Vitamin A: (retinol), is fat soluble and synthesized from beta-carotene

• It can help protects the human body from solar radiation
• It is helpful in eliminating imbedded pigment spots from the skin

Vitamin C: (ascorbic acid) is a water-soluble compound

• Fulfills several roles in living systems/necessary for human life
• Stimulates fibroblasts for collagen production
• Helps protect DNA in cells from UV damage

​Vitamin E: (tocotrienol and tocopherol) is fat soluble

• Recent studies show Alpha-tocopherol and tocotrienol have significant anti-oxidant properties
• When combined with vitamin C, it takes on the antioxidant properties allowing vitamin C to work on bigger tasks as in collagen production and UV protection for cellular DNA

Bottom line, antioxidants are extremely important for healthy skin and human life. To learn more about the importance of the role of antioxidants in protecting the skin visit the Dermodality website and click on the “Education” tab.