How oxidative stress and free radicals accelerate skin aging

“Our age depends on how we live. We can become like a ghost town. Or like a tree that continues to be important even when it can no longer stand straight.” Paulo Coelho

Aging is a complex biological process that involves every part of our body, altering its functionality. It is a phenomenon that follows a genetically determined program but, at the same time, is deeply influenced by environmental factors.

The epidermis, our first line of defense against the outside world, is particularly susceptible to the combined effects of genetics and environment, making the process of skin aging one of the most visible and studied aspects of this biological process. With the increase in average life expectancy, especially in developed countries, attention to the phenomenon of aging has intensified. It is not uncommon to observe active and vital nonagenarians, while other individuals may show signs of decline as early as sixty.

But what are the causes of this variation? And how can we positively influence our aging?
Our body is constantly exposed to stressors such as unbalanced nutrition, pollution, cigarette smoke, and psycho-emotional stress, which contribute to weakening our natural defenses and accelerating the aging process. Approximately one-third of the factors influencing aging are genetic, but the remaining two-thirds can be modulated through lifestyle, suggesting that we play a significant role in managing our aging.

In response to these factors, the skin shows visible signs such as wrinkles, spots, and alterations in skin texture. These are due not only to the visible effects of oxidative stress but also to functional changes in internal organs. Studies suggest that through proactive choices and healthy lifestyles, we can positively influence our aging journey, adopting pre-aging and pro-aging approaches that value well-being and longevity, compared to traditional anti-aging methods that simply aim to correct visible signs of aging.

To effectively counteract aging, it is essential to adopt an integrated approach that includes proper nutrition, regular physical activity, and the use of functional cosmetics. These interventions aim not only to keep the skin visibly young but also to preserve the vitality and functionality of internal organs, striving for "best-aging," which means successful aging with the minimum possible physiological decline.

Skin oxidation is a crucial biological phenomenon in which fundamental components such as collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid are subject to attack by reactive oxygen species (ROS) and other oxidizing agents.
These highly reactive compounds can originate from both external sources, such as UV radiation, air pollution, and ozone, and internal processes, such as oxidative metabolism in the mitochondria.
Over time, the accumulation of oxidative stress and the body's inability to compensate for the production of free radicals lead to substantial damage, visible as wrinkles, age spots, and a general loss of skin tone and radiance.

But what is "oxidative stress"? The term describes an imbalance between the formation of free radicals and the body's ability to neutralize them through antioxidant systems. This imbalance causes lipid peroxidation, damage to cellular DNA, and protein dysfunction, with direct consequences for cellular and tissue health. Joseph A. Lewis, a pioneer in anti-aging cosmetic research, highlighted how cellular oxidation, or oxidative stress, is a primary cause of skin aging, amplified by sun exposure, pollution, smoking, and other stressful factors.