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Free radicals are molecules produced in the body as part of
normal, everyday metabolic processes like breathing and processing the food that we eat.
However, free radical
sources such as ultraviolet light, tobacco smoke, industrial toxins and pollutants can be damaging to the body.
Overexposure to free radicals over time can damage cells and structural proteins, and can actually alter the chemical
structure of our DNA.
Free radicals are known to play a role in the acceleration
of the aging process at and below the surface of the skin.
Free radicals can damage the integrity of the
skin's natural barrier function.
This includes the degradation of essential skin lipids, collagen, elastin
and hyaluronic acid.
The visible effects are dry, flaky skin, lines, wrinkles, uneven skin pigmentation
and a general loss of elasticity and firmness of the skin.
Antioxidants neutralize
free radicals by reducing the chain reaction effect of free radical formation.
Natural antioxidants can
have a profound effect on the health and beauty of the skin by preventing cells from further damage and reversing the damage
that has already been done.
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