February 07, 2023
Medically Reviewed By Elizabeth A. Swick, MS, RDN

Look Great and Fight Free Radicals the Easy Way

Sagging skin, fine lines and wrinkles are natural parts of the aging process but for many people, these signs of aging develop prematurely. Free radicals in the environment are often responsible for early loss of skin firmness and elasticity, and in this post, we'll discuss what they are and what you can do about them.

What Causes Skin to Age?

Skin ages naturally due to both internal and external processes. Your skin's elasticity and firmness come primarily from two structural proteins: collagen and elastin. Collagen supports the skin tissue, keeping it firm and supple. Elastin allows the skin to be elastic so that it can stretch as you move and then return to its original shape. As you age, your body naturally produces less collagen and elastin, and this causes reductions in skin firmness and elasticity.

Reactive particles called free radicals can hasten the gradual loss of skin elasticity and firmness. They are present in the sun's ultraviolet energy as well as in cigarette smoke and pollutants. When free radicals come in contact with cells, they cause oxidative damage. Oxidation can destroy healthy collagen and elastin proteins, causing fine lines and wrinkles and other symptoms like sagging skin to develop prematurely.

How to Fight Free Radicals and Keep Your Skin Looking Great

Free radicals are all around us, so it's not possible to avoid them completely. However, you can take steps to lessen their impact and to help damaged skin recover from their effects. Follow these tips to help fight damage from free radicals.

Wear Sunscreen

Ultraviolet energy from the sun exposes you to free radicals that can cause signs of aging and lead to some forms of skin cancer. To help protect yourself, wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 every day, regardless of the weather and what activities you have planned. If you're going to be outdoors for an extended period, apply a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen thirty minutes before you go outdoors. Reapply it every two hours or sooner if you sweat or swim.

Adopt a Healthy Skincare Routine

A healthy skincare routine can help your skin look its best. Cleanse twice daily to remove impurities that can inflame the skin and clog pores. Apply a moisturizer to keep the tissue hydrated. Products that contain hyaluronic acid are especially beneficial. Found naturally in the

body, hyaluronic acid helps moisture bind to skin tissue to help reduce the risk of dryness continuously after application. In addition, hyaluronic acid has a plumping effect that makes skin appear fuller and feel firmer. Many moisturizers contain hyaluronic acid, and you can also find standalone hyaluronic acid serums to try.

Don't Smoke

As previously mentioned, smoke from cigarettes contains free radicals. Smoking puts you at an increased risk for premature signs of aging as well as dry skin. Quitting isn't easy, but you can kick the habit. Your medical provider can help you determine the best way to approach quitting. Depending on your health and other factors, your medical provider may prescribe smoking cessation medications or recommend nicotine replacement therapy such as patches, gum, inhalers, and lozenges.

Eat a Nutrient-Dense Diet

Your diet plays an important role in skin health. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and some forms of protein contain nutrients called antioxidants. These substances act as defenders against free radical damage, breaking down the reactive particles to limit oxidative damage. A healthy diet can also supply amino acids, the key building blocks of proteins like collagen and elastin. Replace processed foods that are not much more than empty calories, with nutrient-dense alternatives as much as possible to support youthful skin.

Restore Skin Firmness by Supporting Elastin Synthesis

Supporting youthful skin from within can complement other steps that you take to increase skin firmness and elasticity. Elastin supplements like Body Kitchen Pro-Elastin can supply your body with the amino acids needed to produce new elastin fibers. When used as directed, supplements may lessen the effects of free radical damage and enhance the texture and appearance of your skin.

Body Kitchen Pro-Elastin stands out among other supplements due to its unique clinically backed formula. Each serving provides 1,000 milligrams of elastin peptides, 22 amino acids and protective antioxidants. In clinical studies, the key ingredient Prolastin elastin was shown to boost elastin and collagen production by over 250 percent and 100 percent, respectively. Its effectiveness comes from the advanced enzymatic hydrolysis process used to make the elastin easier for your body to absorb and put to use. Ask your medical provider about whether Body Kitchen Pro-Elastin is right for you.