How Antioxidants Can Help Improve Skin Health

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 hyperpigmentation on the skin. 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 range 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. Imparting pure, radiant vitality, Manuka honey leaves skin 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!

DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life. What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin? Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition. Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes. If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider. What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin? Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity. Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C. Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post. Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster. This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster. While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin. It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin. Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning? Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance. You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather. Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.

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