How Antioxidants Improve Skin Health
The search for the best product or the magic elixir for eternal youth seems to be a constant quest for many of us. Well, it’s been years, and while the coveted well has yet to be miraculously discovered, antioxidants do exist. The word probably means something to you, and you undoubtedly know that they play an important role in keeping your skin tone even, clear, and youthful. But are they just another fad or trendy ingredient that is slowly being forgotten, or are antioxidants the key to achieving your dream of perfect skin?
What are antioxidants?
Antioxidants are substances that help protect the surface of the skin from free radicals and environmental influences, such as UV radiation and pollution. Antioxidants can limit the production of free radicals that cause skin damage every day.
Believe it or not, free radicals play an important role in the body, both harmful and beneficial. When free radicals are stable, they can fight viruses and bacteria. When the number of these molecules increases too quickly, the skin can develop an imbalance, also known as oxidative stress. Antioxidants fight the first signs of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles, and also reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation, and soothe skin inflammation.
Many studies have shown that introducing antioxidants into your daily routine can help fight free radicals and counteract their harmful effects. Luckily, there are many types of antioxidants that you can add to your diet and skin care routine. Some of them have the ability to retain moisture in the skin and increase water retention, keeping it moisturized and radiant.
What do antioxidants do for the skin?
Here are the top 5 benefits of antioxidants for the skin:
Antioxidants help the skin repair itself
Antioxidants help lighten the skin tone
Antioxidants reduce and correct all signs of premature aging
Antioxidants soothe and reduce skin inflammation
Antioxidants restore skin balance and protect it from daily damage
As mentioned before, there are many types of antioxidants, and we will tell you the most popular ones among experts and dermatologists.
Vitamin C
This antioxidant is the most researched on the market today and has a large number of loyal skincare fans. It fights free radicals and also boosts collagen production in the skin, giving the face a youthful and elastic look. It gives the skin an overall radiant glow and fades dark spots and pigmentation.
The downside to this skin protectant is that it becomes somewhat unstable when in contact with light and air. After exposure to these elements, its effectiveness decreases and you’ll notice that your products change color and no longer provide the same effects. When buying products containing vitamin C (also known as ascorbic acid), make sure they come in opaque bottles and are stored away from direct sunlight. We have a dedicated blog post detailing the benefits of vitamin C for the skin.
Retinol (Vitamin A)
Retinol should actually be called a time machine in a bottle because it can reliably turn back the clock and reverse all signs of aging. Since this antioxidant has a structure with smaller molecules, they can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. It can speed up skin cell turnover, stimulate collagen production, and smooth fine lines and wrinkles. It is one of the most effective antioxidants.
Read more about the benefits of retinol here.
Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)
This antioxidant has anti-inflammatory properties that help improve skin texture and tone, as well as reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and skin hyperpigmentation. Niacinamide works primarily on the outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, ensuring that the skin’s natural barrier is fully functional and healthy. This allows it to defend against free radicals, toxins, and everyday aggressors that want to harm the skin.
Polyphenols
This plant-based vitamin is found in many of your favorite foods and drinks, such as red wine, chocolate, fruit, and green tea. This particular antioxidant has UV-blocking and anti-inflammatory properties. When applied topically, it boosts the skin’s natural defenses against oxidative stress caused by excessive exposure to free radicals.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E contributes to the proper functioning of the body’s vital organs. Since our skin is our largest organ, you can imagine how much it loves this antioxidant! Vitamin E is a powerful ingredient that is constantly praised for its ability to speed up the skin’s healing process. For issues like stretch marks and extremely dry skin, using a moisturizer or serum enriched with Vitamin E will yield significant results.
How do I use antioxidants?
Antioxidants are found in every product and can be incorporated into your daily skincare routine in any way that works for you.
Cleansing Products
Face Washes
Toners
Serums
Moisturizers
Face Masks
Body Lotions
The list is practically endless and it really depends on you and what works best in your routine. However, some beauty experts recommend opting for a serum or a mask. Both of these products give the antioxidants more time to penetrate the skin and be fully absorbed. Products like face washes and cleansers are great to use but always need to be rinsed off, so the antioxidants have limited time to absorb.
Do Antioxidants in Skincare Really Work?
In a word: Yes! It may sound too good to be true, but the fact is that antioxidants are a mainstay of the beauty industry. You’ll find at least one of these antioxidants in a wide variety of your favorite skincare formulas. These powerful ingredients target nearly every skin concern and every skin type can use them and see results.
What is the Best Antioxidant for My Skin?
Luckily, as we discussed before, you have a plethora of options when it comes to finding antioxidants. If you have questions about which antioxidants you should add to your skin care routine, it is recommended that you seek help from your doctor or dermatologist. Here is some information that can help you make your decision. It is also recommended to do a patch test before using any product to ensure that no skin irritation or reaction will occur.
Oily Skin Type
Vitamin C
Retinol (Vitamin A)
Vitamin E
Combination Skin Type
Vitamin C
Retinol (Vitamin A)
Vitamin E
Polyphenols
Niacinamide
Dry Skin Type
Vitamin E
Polyphenols
Niacinamide
Natural Antioxidants Like Avocado Oil and Green Tea
For dry and sensitive skin types, it is not easy to find antioxidants. However, you can find some natural antioxidants in foods like honey and avocados.
What Are Natural Antioxidants?
There are some natural antioxidants that can be beneficial for your skin:
Ginger Root
This essential oil protects the surface of the skin from environmental influences and free radicals that can cause serious damage. Ginger root is a great addition to your morning routine to smooth out skin texture or signs of aging, correct dullness, and make skin look and feel rejuvenated.
Avocado Oil
Rich in antioxidants, avocados have been used in skincare products and treatments for years. The oil is a fatty acid emollient that instantly locks in moisture and hydrates the skin. It’s perfect for all dry skin types for super soft, comfortable skin.
Manuka Honey
Manuka honey has a ton of antioxidant properties compared to other types of honey. Manuka honey imparts pure, radiant vitality to the skin, leaving it visibly refreshed and smoother while helping to build the skin barrier.
Green Tea
Green tea is rich in polyphenols that fight free radicals while you sleep. It’s also the most soothing antioxidant in existence, helping to speed healing and reduce skin inflammation.
If you suffer from rosacea, psoriasis, and sensitive skin, this is the antioxidant for you. But before you start sipping your morning coffee: tea bags are too low in antioxidants to be effective. So invest in a serum or moisturizer.
Here’s a mini guide to how antioxidants can help improve your skin’s health. There’s nothing wrong with these substances, and they’ve certainly proven themselves, especially in a world where there’s always something new to try. By incorporating a selection of quality, effective products into your skincare routine, you’ll find that your skin will stay at its healthiest no matter what the outside world throws at it!
