We use the phrases ‘free radicals’ and ‘free radicals damage’ a lot at Jersey Beauty. But not everyone truly understands what they mean… and how much of an effect free radicals can have on our skin. So we wanted to introduce you to an amazing new skincare range we are proud to be the first in the UK to stock. We also wanted to explain why it’s so amazing for fighting free radicals damage.
The first thing to say is that free radicals are everywhere. They are in the air around us, materials that we use and also in our bodies. A free radical is a molecule that has an unpaired electron. To go into the science further, free radicals are unstable molecules because of their missing electron. They spend their time looking for an electron they can steal from another cell to pair up with to rebalance. However, that process doesn’t work the way it should. Actually what happens is that both of those cells become unstable, making it an ongoing process. The result is a process called oxidation - which causes damage to the cells that free radicals try to change.
We’ve already said that free radicals are everywhere - but what causes them? There are a number of external influences like sun exposure, air pollution and even smoking can trigger the creation of free radicals. Free radicals don’t just affect your skin. In fact, to understand their effects more clearly, it’s good to look at how free radicals affect other materials. Free radicals are responsible for deteriorating plastics. They’re the reason why cut fruit or vegetables left open to the air turns brown and they also have a role in the rusting of metals. Free radicals are also partly responsible for the signs of premature ageing that cause many of our skin concerns.
Free radicals are looking for the extra electron they need to be stable. This causes a process of oxidation in skin cells, which damages the DNA of your cells in a process called free radical theory of ageing. This can lead to premature signs of ageing. Oxidation from sun exposure affects your collagen and elastin cells, through a chemical reaction that changes the DNA of the cells. This leaves the skin looking saggy and hollow, deepening lines and wrinkles. You can also develop age spots from the effects of free radicals, this is because the DNA of cells changes and your skin produces more melanin to compensate.
Let’s go back to our image of the fruit that has been cut and oxidises. If you treat an apple with lemon juice it doesn’t go brown. Why? Because lemon juice contains Vitamin C which is a natural antioxidant. It’s not the only antioxidant, but is one of many natural ingredients that can stop the process.
Antioxidants add an extra electron to the free radical molecule so that it doesn’t have to try and steal from the skin cells. Antioxidants commonly found in skin care include Vitamin A, C and E. They are found in many natural ingredients and stop the process of oxidation. Antioxidants neutralise free radicals and remove them from your skin via your bloodstream.
It’s important to say that your diet may have lots of these vitamins, you may even take antioxidant supplements. But the most effective way to treat the skin is to apply them topically, using products with active ingredients containing antioxidants.
We get asked the following questions a lot at Jersey Beauty:
We are always searching for new and effective skincare products for our Jersey customers. We are passionate about loving our skin; we embrace our wrinkles and don’t advocate ‘anti-ageing’ or ‘turning the clock back’. But because we love our skin, we also want it to be healthy. Signs of premature ageing - like deepening lines and wrinkles - can be a sign your skin isn’t at its best.
CocoRoo is a fantastic new skincare range that we are now stocking. It’s come all the way from the USA and we are the first in the UK to be able to offer it to customers. We’re bringing it up because it’s also amazing for fighting free radical damage because it is packed full of natural antioxidant ingredients.
CocoRoo was founded by an American mother called Jill, who wanted to create products that she would feel comfortable letting her younger daughter use. The result is a range made of totally natural, organic ingredients. There are just four main ingredients in the range - each of them packed full of amazing goodness.
This organic face and body scrub has as its main ingredient... you’ve guessed it, ground organic arabica coffee beans. Coffee has amazing antioxidant properties, because it is rich in polyphenols. Polyphenols are a group of antioxidants you can also find in things like chocolate, berries, tea and wine. Polyphenols fight free radicals and help to slow down the process of ageing that is a result of DNA damage.
Another great thing that this scrub does is to stimulate cell renewal and blood flow. This helps to get rid of damaged cells and to renew your skin, at every level.
Coffee isn’t the only antioxidant in this scrub. It also has almond oil which is naturally high in Vitamin E. Natural forms of this vitamin have been proved to be a more effective form of antioxidant goodness than synthetic forms.
You can use this scrub on your face and body. It doesn’t any extra help from a loofah or exfoliating mitt. That’s because the ground coffee beans naturally work to exfoliate the skin gently but effectively. You can choose how often to use this depending on your unique skin. As it is full of natural oils, its consistency changes with temperature. If you heat the tube in the shower you will have a more liquified scrub.
Coconut oil has become increasingly popular in skincare over the last few years, as people look more to natural and organic skincare ingredients. It has antibacterial qualities and also one of nature’s finest moisturisers, making it really nourishing for your skin. That’s why it is the main ingredient in the CocoRoo Naked Moisturiser. As well as fighting free radicals damage, it’s also important to protect your skin against future damage. Free radicals are able to attack the skin when you have a weakened or impaired lipid barrier - that’s the outer barrier that protects the deeper layers of your skin. When your skin lacks the oil it needs to hold the barrier together, this opens up the way for free radicals to work their way deeper into your skin.
Using the CocoRoo Naked Coconut Oil Moisturiser you can start to repair the lipid barrier and guard against pollutants being able to get deep into your skin. This is because it also contains cold pressed macadamia nut oil, which is the closest oil to the sebum your skin naturally produces. Macadamia oil can help to replace the lipids your skin needs to rebuild its barrier.
We are really privileged to be the first place you can get CocoRoo in the UK. So shop with us today and try this amazing skincare for fighting free radicals damage for yourself.
