Free Radicals & Antioxidants: What Are They?

Free Radicals & Antioxidants: What They Are and Why Your Skin Needs Protection

You’ve probably heard skincare brands and health experts talk about free radicals and antioxidants, but what do these terms actually mean? More importantly, how do they affect your skin?

At Springs Health, Wellness & Beauty Clinic, we take an inside-out approach to skincare, which means protecting your skin from more than just sun damage.

Understanding free radicals and how antioxidants can neutralise them is key to keeping your skin youthful, radiant, and healthy.

What Are Free Radicals? (And Why Do They Harm Your Skin?)

Free radicals are unstable molecules that are missing an electron. To stabilise themselves, they steal electrons from healthy cells—including those in your skin. This causes damage at a cellular level, leading to:

• Wrinkles and fine lines – Free radical damage speeds up collagen breakdown.
• Loss of elasticity – Skin becomes weaker and less firm.
• Dull, uneven skin tone – Oxidative stress can lead to pigmentation issues.
• Inflammation and breakouts – Skin becomes more reactive and prone to irritation.

Where Do Free Radicals Come From?

Your skin is constantly exposed to free radicals from:

UV rays – Sun exposure is one of the biggest causes of free radical damage.

Imagine you’ve just bought a brand-new, expensive designer handbag. It’s flawless, smooth, and in perfect shape. Now, picture leaving it out in the sun every day - unprotected. Over time, the leather dries out, fades, and starts to crack.

Your skin is that handbag drying out and starting to crack! (except for the fade, our skin contains melanin that is stimulated by UV rays—hello, brown spots). And UV rays are like an invisible thief, stealing collagen, elasticity, and moisture every time you step outside without SPF.

What’s Actually Happening?

When UV rays hit your skin, they create free radicals—tiny unstable molecules that go rogue and:

• Steal from your skin cells (like a magpie and a shiny object)
• Break down collagen (aka, the scaffolding that keeps your skin firm)
• Trigger dark spots & uneven tone (ever heard of sun-induced ‘freckles’ that never leave?)
• Cause premature wrinkles (because nothing says "I ignored SPF" like fine lines at 30)

Pollution – Toxins in the air, like car exhaust and cigarette smoke.

Processed foods & sugar – Poor diet contributes to oxidative stress.

Here’s the science, minus the boring bits:

• Sugar triggers glycation – This is when sugar molecules bind to collagen, making it stiff, weak, and prone to breaking. Wrinkles? Sagging? That’s glycation at work.
• Processed foods = inflammation overload – Junk food spikes inflammation, which breaks down collagen faster than your skin can rebuild it.
• Collagen killers – Fried foods, sugary snacks, and soda speed up ageing, making skin dull, dry, and less bouncy.

How to Keep Your Collagen Happy

Swap sugar for skin-friendly antioxidants – Berries, dark chocolate (organic raw cacao), and nuts fight glycation.

Eat vitamin C-rich foods – Oranges, bell peppers, and leafy greens help your body make fresh collagen.

Ditch the junk – Your skin thrives on healthy fats, protein, and water, not ultra-processed foods.

Bottom line? Collagen hates sugar, but it loves whole, nutrient-dense foods. Feed it well, and it’ll keep your skin firm, glowing, and youthful for years to come.

Alcohol & stress – Lifestyle factors that accelerate ageing from within.

Think of alcohol like a moisture thief - it pulls water from your skin, leaving it dry, dull, and more prone to fine lines. Plus, it dilates blood vessels, which can lead to redness, puffiness, and broken capillaries (aka that tired, flushed look after a night out).

• Breaks down collagen – Alcohol increases inflammation, making your skin lose firmness faster.
• Disrupts sleep – Poor sleep = less skin repair, more wrinkles.
• Sugar overload – Cocktails, wine, and beer spike blood sugar, leading to glycation (which weakens collagen).

Pro Tip: If you’re going to drink, hydrate like it’s your job (drinking water between drinks!) and choose lower-sugar options like spirits with soda.

Stress: The Silent Skin Ager

Ever had a stress breakout before a big event? That’s because stress increases cortisol, a hormone that wreaks havoc on your skin.

• Cortisol breaks down collagen & elastin – Hello, fine lines and sagging!
• Triggers inflammation – Leads to redness, sensitivity, and acne.
• Dehydrates skin – Chronic stress disrupts your moisture barrier, making skin look dull and tired.
• Messes with sleep – Less beauty sleep = slower skin repair & more ageing.

Pro Tip: Combat stress with meditation, deep breathing, and movement. Your skin (and your mind) will thank you.

Blue Light: The Digital Age Skin Aggressor

It’s not just the sun that’s causing free radical damage - blue light from your phone, laptop, and other digital devices is a sneaky skin ager too.

What Blue Light Does to Your Skin:

• Generates free radicals that accelerate oxidative stress.
• Breaks down collagen and elastin, leading to fine lines and sagging.
• Contributes to hyperpigmentation, particularly in people with deeper skin tones.
• Disrupts your skin’s natural repair cycle by interfering with melatonin production, messing with your sleep—and you know by now how important sleep is for skin health!

How to Protect Your Skin from Blue Light Damage:

• Apply antioxidant-rich skincare products, especially those containing ferulic acid. Ferulic acid is a powerful antioxidant that not only fights free radicals but also enhances the stability and effectiveness of Vitamin C and E in your skincare.
• Take regular screen breaks and dim your devices in the evening.
• Use a blue light screen filter or wear blue light blocking glasses, especially if you’re glued to your screen for hours a day.

Pro Tip: Layer your morning routine with a Vitamin C + Ferulic Acid serum combo for extra protection against both UV rays and blue light. Your skin will thank you!

Why Grabbing the Desk Next to the Window Might Be the Worst Idea for Your Skin

That bright, sun-soaked spot by the window might feel like the dreamiest place to work, but your skin? It’s screaming for SPF.

Here’s why:
Glass windows might block UVB rays (the ones that burn), but UVA rays? Those bad boys come right through—and they’re the ones responsible for premature ageing, wrinkles, and sun spots. Think of UVA as A for Ageing.

So while you’re tapping away on your laptop, UVA rays are:\n
☀️ Breaking down your collagen and elastin (hello, sagging skin) \n
☀️ Triggering hyperpigmentation (aka those stubborn brown spots) \n
☀️ Speeding up fine lines and wrinkles, even if you’re inside \n

And guess what? Blue light from your screen is adding to the problem, generating free radicals and oxidative stress, breaking down your skin’s barrier even faster.

Pro Tip:

If you love your desk view (who wouldn’t?), at least:
✅ Wear SPF 30+ every single day—yes, even inside.
✅ Layer on an antioxidant serum with Vitamin C or Ferulic Acid in the morning.
✅ Consider a window film or UV filter to block more UVA rays.

How to Keep Your Skin Looking Expensive?

💎 SPF is Your Anti-Ageing Insurance – Wear SPF 30+ daily, keep it next to your phone so you won’t leave the house without it.
💎 Antioxidants = Your Skin’s Security Guard – Vitamin C, green tea, ferulic acid, and berries fight off free radical damage.
💎 Hydration & Repair – Skincare with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and peptides helps replenish what UV rays and blue light try to take.
💎 Think Long-Term – Your 40-year-old self will look in the mirror and say, “Damn, I did good.”

Antioxidants: Your Skin’s Defence System

Antioxidants are your skin’s natural protectors. They neutralise free radicals by donating an electron, stopping the chain reaction of damage. Think of them as bodyguards for your skin cells, preventing premature ageing and maintaining a healthy glow.

Where to Find the Best Antioxidants for Skin Protection:

✅ Vitamin C – Found in oranges, bell peppers, and strawberries; boosts collagen and brightens skin.
✅ Vitamin E – Found in nuts, seeds, and avocados; hydrates and protects skin from damage.
✅ Polyphenols – Found in green tea, dark chocolate (organic raw cacao), and resveratrol in grapes (yes, that means red wine—but no alcohol is good for you, especially your skin!).
✅ Beta-Carotene – Found in carrots, sweet potatoes, and spinach; helps repair sun damage.
✅ Zinc & Selenium – Found in seafood, Brazil nuts, and pumpkin seeds; supports skin healing (don’t overdo the nuts—too much selenium can result in hair loss, it’s all about balance!).

Antioxidant-Powered Skincare:

💧 Vitamin C serums – Protect against UV and blue light damage and brighten the complexion.
💧 Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) – Strengthens the skin barrier and reduces inflammation.
💧 Resveratrol – A powerful antioxidant found in grapes, great for anti-ageing.
💧 Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) – Helps energise skin cells and prevent oxidative stress.
💧 Ferulic Acid – Boosts the effectiveness of Vitamins C and E, offering extra protection against UV rays and blue light.

How to Protect Your Skin from Free Radicals Every Day

✅ Wear SPF daily – Sun exposure is the #1 cause of premature ageing.
✅ Eat a colourful, antioxidant-rich diet – The more variety, the better!
✅ Use antioxidant skincare products – Vitamin C, ferulic acid, niacinamide, and green tea are must-haves.
✅ Stay hydrated – Water helps flush toxins and keeps skin glowing. (Stay away from plastic bottles—bisphenol A particles have now been found in the brain! Use filtered water, and if you still find that you’re thirsty, add a pinch of Baja Gold Sea salt to give your body the minerals it needs.)
✅ Manage stress and get enough sleep – Poor sleep increases oxidative stress.

The Bottom Line: Fight Free Radicals with Antioxidants

While you can’t completely avoid free radicals, you can protect your skin with the right diet, lifestyle, and skincare choices. By giving your body the nutrients it needs, you can slow down ageing and maintain a radiant, youthful complexion.

At Springs Health, Wellness & Beauty Clinic, we believe beauty starts from within. If you’re ready to take your skin health to the next level, book a consultation with us today!

Stay tuned for next week’s blog: ‘Can You Detox Your Skin? The Truth About Skin Purging and Toxins’!