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!

DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek. “Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more. Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals. Sunscreen “We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.” Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup. Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand. Vitamin C Serum “A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging. Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation. Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants. Peptides Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.” Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively. This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek. At-Home Peel Pads Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate. “The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.” According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says. Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection. KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids. Emollient Night Cream “In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.” “Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products. Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid. RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme “The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.

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