Oxidative Stress and Your Skin
Last week we learned that healthy skin comes from a healthy body and that inflammation and microbiome disturbance are two possible root causes for bad skin. This week we learn about oxidative damage and how this, too, contributes to accelerated aging and other skin conditions. The content below is inspired from the book Clean Skin From Within By Dr. Trevor Cates.
The skin’s job is to protect us from the outside world. It is on the front lines of our defense and is exposed to stressors like UV radiation from the sun and pollutants in our environment. Excessive sun and chemical exposure causes free radicals in the skin and when production exceeds our natural antioxidant defences, oxidative damage occurs. Antioxidants like vitamin C are used up with oxidative stress and when vitamin C gets low, we lose its collagen supporting role and UV protection (1).
Oxidative damage is associated with accelerated aging such as changes in skin color, skin dropping, and wrinkles (2). As we get older, our capacity to deal with the oxidation goes down and we lose this built-in protection. This oxidation leads to genetic changes that are associated with aging. Free radicals damage collagen and our skin’s suppleness becomes compromised (3). Oxidative damage may also give rise to other conditions like dermatitis, skin cancers, and inflammatory issues (3).
Oxidative damage occurs externally from the sun’s UV radiation and pollutants, and it also occurs internally with toxin exposure and poor diet. For example, being exposed to pollutants like car exhaust (4) and paint fumes (5) may lead to an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS). Without adequate antioxidant defenses, damage occurs. We know though, that certain lifestyle choices can help support a healthy defense.
We know that exposure to oxidative damage from things like smoking cigarettes and the sun can negatively impact our complexion. Unfortunately pollutants are everywhere in our environment from the air to our food. The best way to avoid the harmful effects of these chemicals is to avoid them.
Tips for minimizing chemical exposure and oxidative damage
Drink purified water
Eat organic foods and ethically raised meats
Use non toxic cleaning products such as vinegar
Use an HEPA air purifier where you sleep and spend most of your time
Choose clean body products
Further, it’s important to pay attention to your organs of elimination. Exposure to oxidants is inevitable so ensuring that you have regular bowel movements (6), sweat often (7), and eat a diet with a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables is important for quelling oxidation (8).
Thus far we have identified inflammation, microbiome disturbance, and oxidative damage as possible root causes to poor skin. Our skin’s health is dependent on the health of our body. If you are suffering from unhealthy skin, I encourage you to check out Clean Skin From Within 2-Week Program by Dr, Trevor Cates, designed to lower inflammation, support a healthy microbiome, and lower oxidative stress,
Resources
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5579659/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5514578/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4496685/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28540736/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21833695/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27703675/