Words: Rosie Wilson
Recent research shows that products laden with antioxidants could be having a negative impact on the skin of younger users. Antioxidants in skincare are used to prevent free radicals from damaging the skin cells, but the research indicates that, for people under 50, free radicals are essential for healthy skin healing and regeneration.
Prof. Judith Campisi of California’s Buck Institute for Research on Ageing, said:
“This study shows that it’s essential that we look across the entire lifespan when we examine mechanisms in the ageing process. We found expected effects; mechanisms that benefit us when we’re young, cause problems as we age.”
She clarified that ingesting or applying high levels of antioxidants may damage the skin of young people as free radicals are needed to maintain effective skin regeneration.
The full study was published in the U.S. journal ‘Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences’.