The buzz word in the health and beauty industries these days has to be antioxidants. Whether consumed through a healthy diet or applied topically, antioxidants offer our bodies a powerful defense against damage and aging. But what is an antioxidant, and can it really protect our skin against wrinkles and other signs of aging?

To answer these questions, we first have to understand a process our molecules go through called oxidation. Basically, oxidation is a chemical reaction that involves the transfer of electrons. In some cases, atoms, molecules, or ions involved in oxidation may end up with only one electron rather than the necessary pair of electrons. These are known as free radicals and can wreak havoc on our skin as they roam around searching for another electron to fill their void. Scientific studies frequently link free radicals to cell mutations that result in skin damage and, in extreme cases, cancer. Antioxidants help remove free radicals and stop the damaging chain reactions that can be set off by oxidation.

From a dietary standpoint, antioxidants are essential to maintaining and strengthening the body’s natural defenses against environmental stressors. Vitamins C and E are particularly potent antioxidants, as is the beta-carotene found in carrots. Eating a diet rich in berries and vegetables is a great way to ensure your body is getting an adequate amount of antioxidants. Green tea is also an excellent source of health-promoting antioxidants. Consuming antioxidants will help your complexion by protecting it from damage, preventing the underlying causes of wrinkles.

You can go a step beyond this and purchase a wrinkle cream rich in topical antioxidants. When shopping for an effective wrinkle cream, it is difficult to weed through the plethora of options out there. All of them claim revolutionary results, but not all of them deliver. Creams that contain a blend of ingredients with antioxidant properties should, at the very least, protect your skin against further damage and more wrinkles. Vitamins A, C and E are excellent sources of antioxidants, even when applied topically. Other ingredients frequently used in wrinkle creams that have proven antioxidant effects include Retinol, Idebenone, Coenzyme Q10, and essential oils.

Eating healthy and taking care of your skin will go a long way in maintaining a healthy, youthful appearance. If you want to protect your skin from wrinkles and other damage, antioxidants should be part of your everyday diet and skincare routine. Avoiding excessive exposure to skin-damaging UV rays and cigarette smoke will also help keep your skin looking young.

When choosing an anti-wrinkle treatment, it is important to take into account the various antioxidants, the potency and effects of each ingredient, and possible side effects. Always look for a wrinkle cream that will nourish, hydrate, and protect the skin. Click here for information on the top performing wrinkle creams on the market. Start on your way to healthier, younger-looking skin today!