The big impact these little building blocks of life can have on your skin.

In Simple Terms, What Are Free Radicals?

Free Radicals are unstable molecules. They exist everywhere and in all sorts of materials, but we are here to tell you about the ones that are a part of our body and so affect our skin.

A Free Radical in our skin is an unstable molecule that will seek to become a stable molecule. The trouble is, to balance itself out this unstable molecule tries to steal an electron from another, healthy molecule, as it thinks pairing up with an electron from a healthy cell will calm it down.

But stealing the balancing electron from a healthy cell does not work for the Free Radical.

All it actually does, is turns the previously healthy cell into another Free Radical so now the skin has two of them  And now two are on the hunt for another healthy cell from which to steal a balancing electron...

Can you see where this is going?

A domino effect is started and will lead to an eruption of free radicals, each of which is going to lead to damage of your skin cells and skin tissue.

Protect your skin from the damaging sun.

However, we must not remove all of our Free Radicals. They are an important part of the skin's defence against bacteria.

What we really need to do, is remove an excess of Free Radicals from the skin. To do that, we must seek a helping hand....

What Can We Do About Free Radicals?

Antioxidants are the answer ! Yes it's those blackberries I was talking about before. These are the key to healthy skin.

Antioxidants hand out spare electrons, like a doctor with a prescription for the right pills or your grandmother with a bowl of chicken soup.

Antioxidants help the Free Radicals do what they really seek to do - calm down, rebalance themselves and protect the skin, rather than cause more damage.

You can find loads of anti-oxidants in fresh, seasonal organic food like blackberries, raspberries and blueberries - any food that stains your hands will be filled to the brim with antioxidants, so find a well grown, seasonal source of it and fill your plate up!

But they are not the only places you can find antioxidants. Anything from the plant kingdom will help you get your dose of antioxidants and a plant rich diet will keep your skin healthy, as will plant based skin care products.

Just like the ones we make at Boxworth Botanicals, here in the UK.

Where Do Free Radicals Come From?

• Over exposure to sunshine
• Pollution
• Smoking
• Chemical skin care products
• Using pesticides and other toxins around the garden and home

These will all proliferate the Free Radicals in your skin, hastening any damage and stopping you looking great.

So how do I help my skin?

Trust in the power of plants. They are gifts of nature and will really help your skin look healthy and radiant.

This review of our Rejuvenating Rose Face Gel really showcases the benefits of plants on your skin.