Oxidative stress is a chemical reaction that happens when there’s an imbalance of antioxidants and free radicals in the body. This imbalance upsets the body’s defense mechanism and the outcome of this reaction commonly results in collagen fiber breakdown, dermal inflammation, impaired skin cell function, DNA damage and an increased risk of dermal conditions, from skin diseases to cancer.
Oxidation occurs when the oxygen in our cells (and even the air we breathe) is metabolized by our body. However, despite being a normal activity, this process is actually capable of triggering the production of free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that come into contact with the molecules in our body’s cells, creating a chemical reaction that results in impairment to our DNA, proteins, cells and mitochondria.
When not present in excess, free radicals are a normal and surprisingly necessary aspect of everyday life. Though they’re harmful in large amounts, small quantities of some free radicals can actually be helpful since they help to trigger repair responses. Oxidative stress only happens when our body encounters more free radicals than its natural antioxidant defense mechanism can fight, which can result in the physical manifestation of such damage in the form of wrinkles and other imperfections.
Oxidation is a process that is naturally stimulated during certain circumstances. These are not limited to, but can include: when our immune system is battling bacteria and other environmental stressors such as pesticides and pollution (which generates a temporary inflammatory response), during the time when our body’s cells siphon glucose to create energy, and even when we become stressed.
The process of oxidation puts a lot of strain on the body (hence oxidative ‘stress’), more so because it’s a naturally repetitive activity. However, this doesn’t mean you’re completely powerless in the face of it. The simple fact is – when our bodies are confronted with potential stressors (i.e. UV rays, toxins, infections and also stress), the oxidation process is naturally heightened. Something as simple as making a small change in your diet can actually really impact how free radicals affect you. For example – it’s no secret that processed food contains a lot of additional substances to make it taste good (i.e. an excess of sugar and salt), but these are known to have a negative influence on the body. Aside from the food being processed, additives like sugar can make more of an impression on the body and skin than you might first think. This is because, in large quantities, sugar can cause your blood glucose levels to spike unnaturally, which is a recognized trigger for oxidation within the body. The easiest things you can do to minimize your risk of oxidation are to eat a balanced diet with as little access to processed foods as you can, and lower your stress levels, in addition to taking precautions when necessary to prevent infections.
Aside from causing wrinkles, oxidation is a known cause of breakouts, which could be a helpful thing to know for anyone with oily and/or breakout-prone skin. A process identified as sebum oxidation takes place when the sebum that your skin produces is exposed to UV rays or other potential irritants, which results in the aforementioned sebum being turned into squalene peroxide. This change prompts unwanted blemishes to appear on the skin. Aside from causing breakouts, it’s an acknowledged fact that UV exposure can induce the effects of photoaging. Photoaging is a consequence of repeated and prolonged exposure to UVA and UVB rays, which results in age-related imperfections like wrinkles and discoloration materializing on the skin. This is brought about because UV radiation is capable of negatively modifying cellular and molecular pathways, the outcome of which is a decrease in dermal elasticity and an increase in dryness.
If you haven’t read our last post, visit What Is Photoaging? for a more in-depth explanation about the effects of photoaging on the skin. For more information about antioxidants, read our post on What Are Antioxidants?