The Most Effective Ways to Protect Yourself from Free Radicals

Let’s make one thing crystal clear, if there is one adjective these infamous atoms are not – it’s radical. Protecting yourself against unstable atoms, or free radicals, is essentially the difference between a youthful appearance and a lackluster one.

It is imperative that you take the necessary precautions to shield yourself from free radicals. Free radicals destroy your skin’s collagen (leading to signs of early aging) in several different manners; smoking, sun-damage, stress, radiation from x-rays and environmental pollutants all encourage the production of free radicals.

To turn back the hands of time, consider implementing the following suggestions:

1). Stay out of the sun when possible and protect yourself from UV rays  

It might seem like beating a dead horse here, but there is simply no excuse to skip lathering on sunscreen in 2020. There is too much data to prove that excessive sun exposure speeds up the aging process and increases susceptibility to skin cancer, especially if you are fair-skinned. Choose a sunblock that is water resistant and SPF 30 or higher.

2). Eat a diet rich in antioxidants

Blueberries, strawberries, fish, nuts, kale, spinach and dark chocolate are all great sources of antioxidants to consider incorporating into your diet. Antioxidants combat free radicals.

3). Cut back on alcohol

Drinking alcohol does unfortunately cause the production of free radicals in the body. Jennifer Lopez and Kim Kardashian are two celebrities who are very vocal about skipping the alcohol to maintain a youthful appearance.

4). Invest in a face serum or cream that provides results  

Using a face serum or specialized cream will help maintain a glowing complexion and there are some incredible options on the market. If there is one group of products that I recommend spending your money on – it’s skincare. Usually, there is a less expensive alternative when it comes to beauty but I don’t recommend a cheaper substitute with serums and creams. The knockoff products tend to not be as powerful. Everyone over the age of 20 should be using creams and serums, even if it’s just a preventative measure.  

5). Drink your green tea - and relax!

Sipping green tea while you unwind is a fabulous habit to embrace. From fat loss to improved brain function, green tea boasts some pretty amazing health benefits. Additionally, green tea also helps fight free radicals.

Damage caused by free radicals ultimately can cost thousands of dollars to repair and even then, the end result would not be as impressive as living a healthy lifestyle. It is never too late to make a change and hopefully these simple tips help inspire you to protect your skin at all costs!

“Sunscreen FAQs.” American Academy of Dermatology, www.aad.org/public/everydaycare/sun-protection/sunscreen-patients/sunscreen-faqs.

CE, Stassi Myer -. “10 Evidence-Based Benefits of Green Tea.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 15
Apr. 2020, www.healthline.com/nutrition/top-10-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-green-tea.