What Are Antioxidants In Skincare
All of us want to age like fine wine. This may seem like a dream with today’s habits, stress, and pollution levels. This is why antioxidants are important for skincare. In this article, we will cover the benefits and the best antioxidants available for your skin.
What Is An Antioxidant?
Antioxidants are substances that can prevent or delay some types of cell damage by counteracting free radicals and oxidative stress.
Free radicals are produced when you're exposed to excess sun, pollution, radiation, cigarette smoke, and more. They are responsible for creating inflammation and prematurely aging your body, including your skin.
Antioxidants are the opposites of free radicals. They give a protective effect against aging and disease.
Free radicals get a bad reputation, but they aren't entirely bad. For example, free radicals are used by the immune system to help fight off bacteria. So they are important to the way your body functions.
The problem occurs when there are too many free radicals compared to antioxidants. Without enough antioxidants to keep excess free radicals in check, they are free to damage cells.
What Do Antioxidants Really Do For Your Skin?
Free radicals are molecules in the environment that damage your skin by clinging to your collagen and weakening elasticity. Your skin is most vulnerable to free radicals since your skin is the largest organ of your body.
Antioxidants are naturally occurring vitamins and minerals, like vitamins A, C, E, and green tea, which protect your skin against free radicals.
What Are The Benefits Of Antioxidants?
Fights The Signs Of Aging
Oxidative stress breaks down collagen. Reduced levels of collagen in the skin lead to sagging, fine lines and wrinkles. Antioxidants fight all these signs of aging and give your skin a youthful radiance.
Help Acne Prone Skin
Oxidative stress triggers inflammation in the skin, leading to breakouts. Antioxidants reduce oxidative stress, thereby reducing inflammation and acne.
Prevent Sunburn
Your skin responds to the harmful UV-B rays from the sun by triggering an inflammatory response. Because antioxidants are potent anti-inflammatory compounds, they prevent inflammation or sunburn.
Brighten Tone
Melanin (skin pigment) is produced due to prolonged exposure to sun and free radical damage. Antioxidants fight both the causes and hence, there is a decreased production of melanin.
Decrease Inflammation
Inflammation is the result of free radicals and oxidative stress. It can show up as a variety of symptoms, including acne, redness, sensitivity, rashes, or so on. Since antioxidants neutralize free radicals, it tempers inflammation.
What Are The Best Antioxidants For Your Skin?
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that maintains the health and integrity of our skin. It helps decrease hyperpigmentation and promotes collagen production.
Vitamin E
Alpha tocopherol or vitamin E is a natural anti-inflammatory, a strong shield against free radicals and premature aging, and a pro at keeping skin soft and supple, which is a key for preventing scar formation.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D helps to protect our skin against photo-induced damage and inflammation. Vitamin D can also stop DNA damage, delaying the aging processes and reducing the risk of developing skin cancers.
Vitamin B3
Vitamin B3 (also known as nicotinic acid, niacin or niacinamide) is a potent antioxidant that helps to decrease hyperpigmentation and redness, strengthen the skin barrier, reduce inflammation, and prevent water loss.
Vitamin A and Retinoids
As we age, collagen production is reduced, leading to fine lines, dark spots, scars and sun spots. Vitamin A, also known as retinol, reduces the appearance of these aging signs.
Astaxanthin
Astaxanthin is produced naturally by a number of bacteria, microalgae and yeasts. It’s also the pigment that gives salmon their characteristic pink color. This compound can be particularly useful at preventing skin diseases and speeding up its repair processes.
Resveratrol
Resveratrol is a type of a polyphenolic antioxidant found mostly in red grapes, red wine, grape juice, peanuts, cocoa, and berries. Its beneficial effects include cardiovascular health, protects against photodamage, skin infections and skin cancer, particularly when ingested with food or dietary supplements.
Green Tea Polyphenols
It’s a rich source of polyphenolic antioxidants with a powerful anti-wrinkle effect. It can neutralize free radicals, increase the rate of collagen and elastin fiber production, as well as reduce the levels of collagen degrading enzymes in our skin.
Ferulic Acid
Topical ferulic acid may protect against sun damage. It's most effective when used along with topical vitamins C and E.
Coenzyme Q10
Coenzyme Q10 is one of the antioxidants that your body manufactures. It is naturally found in the skin but diminishes as we age. Coenzyme Q10 may improve skin elasticity and texture.
What Are The Drawbacks Of Antioxidants?
Antioxidants may be valuable in skin care, both topically and orally. Antioxidants from food do not raise concern. However, high dose dietary supplements are a concern for some people. It is advised against using large doses for prolonged periods without seeking medical advice, as this may cause adverse effects.
Supplements that contain antioxidants may interact with medications doctors prescribe, so it is always best to check first before taking them.
Takeaway
Antioxidants help protect skin cells from damage and aging and may improve skin texture and appearance. There is no reason not to add an antioxidant to your skin care routine and plenty of reasons to do so. It's easy to add the free-radical fighters to your routine; just pick up a serum, oil, or cream with one of these ingredients and your skin will thank you.
Besides SPF, antioxidants are the most important ingredients to have in your skincare routine
If you're feeling overwhelmed, you can consult with one of our estheticians for product suggestions at Dermava.com.
