Antioxidants in Natural Skin Care Products

Antioxidants are free radical hunters and neutralizers. Free radicals are the unstable chemical substances in our bodies that damage our cells causing them to oxidize, they are generated during normal bodily processes and are also caused by air pollution, processed foods, radiation and chemicals. When our cells begin to oxidize they mimic the oxidization an apple goes through when it is cut and exposed to the air. The apple begins to turn brown and lose moisture. In comparison the skin begins to thin, wrinkles appear and it too loses its moisture balance.
Antioxidants can prevent and even reverse cell damage by free radicals and that is why it is so important in natural skin care products. There are many natural antioxidants such as vitamins A, C and E, beta carotene, cysteine, manganese, selenium and zinc. Tests carried out have indeed proven that applying antioxidants through the skin, especially vitamins C and E, as well as alpha lipoic acid have protective effects against free radical damage. 
Eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables, removing as many chemicals from your daily life as possible, using natural skin care products and participating in gentle exercise can also help fight free radicals in the body.

Rosehip Oil
Natural skin care products containing Rosehip Oil have been shown to have remarkable rejuvenating properties. Rosehip oil is used in natural skin care products to treat premature aging, wrinkles, sun damage, stretch marks, burns and pigmentation. It contains Trans Retinoic Acid, (Vitamin A in its natural form) which encourages the natural regeneration of the skins cells and also the healthy production of more collagen & elastin. This means using rosehip oil within natural skin care products will encourage your skin to be firmer, smoother and have a more youthful appearance.

Jojoba Oil
Jojoba Oil contains powerful antioxidants and is a very fine waxy substance that penetrates the layers of the skin quickly and easily taking with it many beneficial vitamins, including Vitamin E and proteins through the epidermis treating fine lines and wrinkles very successfully. This makes it great for use on dry, mature, sensitive and aging skins as well as a good preventative oil for normal skin types.
Jojoba is in fact, a very fine liquid wax, not an oil and it does not go rancid, a testimony to its antioxidation abilities.

Shea Butter                                
Shea Butter has been used for thousands of years to protect, heal and soften the skin. It is extremely rich in Omega-6 linoleic and Omega-9 oleic Essential Fatty Acids which constitutes over 50% of Shea Butter by its weight.
Shea Butter also contains high concentrations of naturally occurring retinol, (Vitamin A) which is widely known to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, as well as naturally-occurring UV absorbers, antioxidants and Omega-3 EFAs.
In West Africa Shea butter is highly sort by local communities as a skin treatment.

Natural Vitamin E
A supreme antioxidant, natural skin care products that contain natural Vitamin E help protect the skin from free radicals and promote healing by rejuvenation of skin cells. Natural Vitamin E is made from the biologically active forms making it more potent and beneficial than synthetic forms of the vitamin. It is derived from soy beans and is a thick, viscous substance.

Grape seed Oil
Grape seed oil has the abilities to strengthen, rejuvenate and restructure any damaged tissues in the skin, allowing the cells to work more effectively to allow a better and healthier moisture balance. It is particularly good for the delicate skin around the eye area working to support the cell membranes and retain the healthy structure of nerve cells. A fantastic antioxidant often used as a natural preservative in natural skin care products. An all round great moisturiser that can reduce the appearance of stretch marks making it great for pregnant women.

Natural antioxidants in natural skin care products are a safe, proven way to reduce and prevent premature aging of the skin and keep the cells healthy and strong for future skin growth.

BIO: Cheryl Beasley is the founder of LanaB Skin Care, an online natural skin care business that produces fresh and pure products as ordered. She produces a monthly newsletter pertaining to the industry and has over twenty years experience producing skin care products. LanaB's Skin Care range includes natural creams and lotions for all the body, delicious scrubs, balms, sulphate free bubble bath, hydrosols and more.
Find them at www.lanab.com.au