Antioxidants Everywhere
With more people than ever taking an interest in eating healthy, it seems like every nutritional product out there is advertising itself as a “rich source of antioxidants”. Acne vitamin treatments and various clear skin products are following suit, but let’s be serious here, how many people even know what an antioxidant is? And how would taking them help you achieve clear skin?
Oxygen is an essential compound for life to exist. Through the process of oxidation, our bodies burn calories and provide our cells with energy. Unfortunately, not all oxidation is good for us. This is because the oxidation process can also result in the formation of free radicals – highly reactive molecules which are prone to causing unwanted chemical chain reactions. These reactions can cause serious cell damage.
Antioxidants are substances which can prevent or counteract the damaging effects of oxidation and free radicals. A common means by which they work is through joining with free radical molecules, creating a new, more stable molecule that is less prone to cell-damaging chemical reactions. As free radicals play at least some sort of role in more diseases than can easily be counted, antioxidants are often marketed as “cures” for everything from fatigue to acne.
Antioxidants are certainly a good thing, but do you need extra supplements to make sure you are getting them? That depends on your diet. The fact is, antioxidants are everywhere. Virtually all fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidants, and you may already be getting a lot of them each day.
Can taking a lot of antioxidants give you clear skin? The short answer is no, at least not without help.
Acne is virtually never the result of mere free radical damage within your cells. Its cause lies in the P. Acnes bacteria, which lives within your pores and can even migrate over your face (lovely thought, I know). P. Acnes primary food source is sebum – your skin oil. This is one of the reasons why oil-targeting treatments such as vitamin B5 work so well against acne.
Some antioxidants may also have antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, (etc.) properties that help combat specific afflictions such as acne. However, antioxidants are not a natural miracle cure. They usually are a not a “cure” at all, but a preventive measure. For instance, the sun’s UV radiation can cause the formation of free radicals in your skin cells, and vitamin E is especially helpful in preventing these free radicals from doing damage.
When dealing with most specific afflictions, you almost always need something more than just antioxidants. Foods, drinks, or supplements rich in antioxidants may still be very healthy for you, but don’t put too much faith in treatments which rely on the “rich in antioxidants” tagline as an explanation for how they combat a specific health condition.
