Unlocking Skin Health: The Power of Antioxidants for Glowing Skin

How Antioxidants Can Help Improve Skin Health

The search for the best product, or magic elixir for everlasting youth seems to be the continuous quest for many of us. Well, it’s been years and although there hasn’t been a wonderful discovery of any sought after fountain, but there are antioxidants. The word may ring a bell and you no doubt know they play an important role in maintaining a firm, clear, youthful complexion. But are they only another fad or trending ingredient that will slip away into the shadows, or are antioxidants the key to making all your flawless skin dreams come true?

What are antioxidants?

Antioxidants are substances that help protect the skin’s surface from free radicals and environmental aggressors like UV and pollution. Antioxidants are able to limit the production of free radicals which lead to the skin becoming damaged on a daily basis.

Free radicals, believe it or not, play an important role in the body and can be either harmful and beneficial. When the free radicals are stable they have the ability to combat viruses and bacteria. If the amount of these molecules increase too quickly then an imbalance to the skin occurs, also known as oxidative stress. Antioxidants are able to combat the first signs of ageing, such as fine lines and wrinkles, but also reduce the appearance of dark spots and pigmentation and calm the skin from any inflammations.

There have been many studies to show that the introduction of an antioxidant to your daily routine will help fight any free radicals and counteract any of their harmful effects. Luckily there are many varieties of antioxidants you can add to your diet and in your skincare routine. Several of them have the ability to lock in hydration into the skin and increase water retention leaving the skin moisturised and radiant.

What do antioxidants do for the skin?

Here are the 5 main benefits of antioxidants for the skin;

Antioxidants help the skin repair itself

Antioxidants help to brighten the skin tone

Antioxidants reduce and correct any signs of premature ageing

Antioxidants calm and reduce any inflammation of the skin

Antioxidants can restore balance to the skin and protect it from daily damage

As previously mentioned there are a variety of antioxidants available and we are going to share with you the ones that are the most popular amongst the experts and dermatologists.

Vitamin C

This antioxidant is the most studied available on the market today and has a huge following of devoted skin fans. Its free-radical fighting and also has the ability to boost the collagen production in the skin allowing it to give the face a youthful bounce. It can give the skin an all-over glow and fade the appearance of dark spots and pigmentation.

The downside to this skin saviour is its tendency of being a little unstable when it comes into contact with light and air. Its potency, when exposed to these factors, begins to drop and you will find your product becomes discoloured and no longer delivers the same results. Be sure that when buying anything containing vitamin C, which is also called ascorbic acid, it comes in an opaque bottle and store it in away from direct sunlight. We have a dedicated blog post with more information on the skin benefits of vitamin C.

Retinol (Vitamin A)

Retinol should really be named a time machine in a bottle, because of its failsafe ability to turn back the clocks and reverse any signs of ageing to the skin. Due to the structure of this antioxidant smaller molecules that are able to work their way further down into the lower layers of the skin. It is able to accelerate the skin cell renewal, stimulate collagen production and smooth out any appearance of lines and wrinkles, it is one of the most powerful of the antioxidants.

Read more about the benefits of retinol here.

Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)

This antioxidant helps to improve the skin’s texture and tone with its anti-inflammatory properties and ability to reduce the visibility of fine lines, wrinkles and any hyperpigmentation of the skin. Niacinamide works mainly on the outer layer of the skin, called the epidermis, and ensures that the skin’s natural barrier is fully functioning and healthy making it bullet prove to any free radicals, toxins and daily aggressors seeking to cause damage to the skin.

Polyphenols

This plant-based vitamin can be found in lots of your favourite food and drink such as red wine, chocolate, fruits and green tea. This particular antioxidant possesses UV combating and anti-inflammatory properties when applied topically can improve the skin’s natural defence against oxidative stress caused by too much exposure to free radicals.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E helps the vital organs of the body to function correctly, and seeing as our skin is our largest organ you can only imagine how much it loves this antioxidant! Vitamin E is a powerhouse ingredient and is praised constantly for its capability to speed up the healing process of the skin. Concerns such as stretch marks and extremely dry skin will see remarkable results when using a vitamin E enriched moisturiser or serum.

How do I use antioxidants?

Antioxidants are found in every product available and can be introduced into your everyday skincare routine in whichever way works for you.

Cleansers

Face wash

Toners

Serums

Moisturisers

Face masks

Body lotions

The list is frankly endless and it really is down to you and what works best in your routine. However, some advice from the beauty experts would be to opt for serums or face masks. Both of these products give the antioxidants longer time to work their way down into the skin and absorb fully. Products such as face wash and cleansers are great to use, but always need to be rinsed off and so the amount of time for the antioxidant to absorb is limited.

Do antioxidants in skincare really work?

In a word, yes! It may indeed sound all too good to be true, but the truth of the matter is antioxidants are pillars to the beauty industry. You will find that at least one of the vast amounts of antioxidants available in the formulation of your favourite skincare product. These powerhouse ingredients target almost every skin concern and any skin type are able to use them and see the results.

What is the best antioxidant for my skin?

Luckily as we have already discussed you are spoilt for choice when it comes to finding an antioxidant. It is advisable to seek the help of your doctor or dermatologist if you have any queries about which one to add to your skincare regime. Here are some to help with your decision, it is also advisable to perform a patch test before using any product to ensure there will be no skin irritation or reactions.

Oily skin types

Vitamin C

Retinol (Vitamin A)

Vitamin E

Combination skin types

Vitamin C

Retinol (Vitamin A)

Vitamin E

Polyphenols

Niacinamide

Dry skin types

Vitamin E

Polyphenols

Niacinamide

Natural antioxidants such as avocado oil and green tea

For dry and sensitive skin types finding an antioxidant is no easy task, however, there are some natural antioxidants that you can find in foods such as honey and avocado.

What are natural antioxidants?

There are some natural antioxidants that will benefit your skin;

Ginger Root

This essential oil is able to defend the skin’s surface from any environmental aggressors and free radicals that can cause a considerable amount of damage. Ginger root is a great addition to your morning routine and can smooth the skin’s texture or signs of ageing, correct any dullness and leave the skin looking and feeling revitalised.

Avocado Oil

Avocados are packed with a rich source of antioxidants and have been used in skincare products and treatment for years. The oil is a fatty-acid emollient and can lock in hydration instantly giving the skin a moisture boost, great for any dry skin types who are left super soft and comfortable skin.

Manuka Honey

Manuka honey provides an enormous amount of antioxidant properties compared to other types of honey available. Manuka honey brings pure, glowing vibrancy back to the skin leaving it visibly renewed and smoother whilst helping to build the skin’s barrier.

Green Tea

Green tea is filled with polyphenols that can combat free radicals in their sleep. It is also the most soothing out of the antioxidants available and helps to accelerate any healing and calming inflammations to the skin.

This is the antioxidant for you if you suffer from rosacea, psoriasis and sensitive skin. But before you dunk your head in your morning brew, the antioxidant levels in a tea bag are too low to see any results so invest in a serum or moisturiser.

So, there you have a mini-guide on how antioxidants can help improve your skin health. There is no faulting these substances and have really stood the test of time, especially in a world where there is always something new to try. By establishing a good selection of high quality and well-performing products in your skincare routine, you will find that your skin will remain at its healthiest state no matter what the world may throw 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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