Antioxidants are one of the most essential ingredients in skincare. They protect against free radicals, which can damage and age skin. Antioxidants in skincare come from a variety of sources, including plants, fruits, and vegetables. Some antioxidants are also made synthetically. There are many different types of antioxidants, each with its own set of benefits for the skin.
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Benefits of using antioxidants in skincare
Here are some of the benefits of using antioxidants in skincare:
1. Antioxidants may help reduce the signs of aging
I’m sure you are asking yourself how on earth can antioxidants reduce the signs of aging? Simply put, when your skin is exposed to the sun it can be a breeding ground for sun damage. This can come in many forms, however, the one that I will address is the introduction of free radicals to your skin. Free radicals can come from many sources including your skin’s natural biological processes. Free radicals are atoms that are unstable and damage your body’s cells. Because of this damage, antioxidants can help oxidize your skin’s free radicals and reduce oxidative stress. Oxidative stress in your skin also damages your collagen, which results in fine lines and wrinkles and increases age spots. It also causes acne and inflammation. Antioxidants in skin care can help reduce the signs of aging and ultimately prevent them.
2. Antioxidants in skincare help your skin repair itself
The skin’s renewal process is slowed down by inflammation. As antioxidants reduce inflammation, they allow the skin to repair itself and correct visible damage. They reduce inflammation by neutralizing free radicals that cause damage to your skin, thereby reducing oxidative stress. One of the byproducts of this process is the reduction of inflammation, among many other benefits. You should also remember that inflammation is one of the symptoms of an impaired skin barrier. When inflammation starts to diminish, this naturally means that the skin is getting better, hence “repairing itself”. Some antioxidants increase collagen production in the skin, which further aids in cell regeneration.
3. Antioxidants help to even out and brighten your skin tone
Some antioxidants are very effective at brightening and evening out your skin tone. When you’re exposed to the sun regularly, it starts to cause sun damage to your skin. Different forms of hyperpigmentation and signs of aging can begin to appear. The type of hyperpigmentation comes in the form of melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, sunspots, and further darkening of already existing hyperpigmentation. Free radicals also trigger your skin’s melanin production, giving you an even skin tone. This is where antioxidants come in. They help reduce oxidative stress by decreasing photodamage in your skin and maintaining the balance of melanin production in your skin. Ultimately your skin will become brighter and the dark marks will start to fade.
4. They help reduce and prevent sun damage
The most effective time to apply antioxidants in skincare is in the morning under your sunscreen, since they increase the benefits of sun protection. Using antioxidants for long periods prevents the sun from damaging your skin because they reduce inflammation and reduce oxidative stress. How amazing is that that they can do so much for your skin and extend as far as preventing further damage to it? They are truly a jack of all trades.
5. Antioxidants help your skin by reducing irritation
They help to reduce skin irritation by calming it and reducing oxidative stress, which leads to less inflammation.
The most popular antioxidants in skincare
The term “antioxidant” is thrown around a lot these days — and for good reason. Antioxidants are natural compounds that can protect your skin from the sun and fight free radicals, boosting collagen production while fighting damage. Some antioxidants are indeed better than others, some are more stable than others, and some also have additional benefits. But which antioxidants are most effective? Here’s a look at a little bit of the science behind some of the most commonly used antioxidants in skincare products.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is the most widely used antioxidant, and I’m pretty sure you’ve probably used it before. It deserves all the praise and attention it gets because of its amazing benefits. Back in the day, vitamin C was considered to be quite unstable when exposed to light, air, or pollutants. However, over time better formulations are available to choose from so that you can experience the maximum benefits that come with using it.
Vitamin C comes in different forms, but the most effective form is L-ascorbic acid, which is the purest form of vitamin C. The downside to it is that it can be quite unstable. The derivatives of vitamin C include Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Ascorbyl Glucoside, and Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate. Citrus fruits, red and green peppers, tomatoes, broccoli, and greens are good sources of vitamin C.
It is a potent antioxidant and some of the benefits of using it include:
- Reducing the signs of aging
- Brightening your skin
- Increasing collagen production
- Reducing marks and scars
- It prevents premature aging
- It acts to restore the skin barrier and maintain it as well
- Vitamin C also has wound healing properties
- It boosts the properties of your sunscreen
- Reduces fine lines and wrinkles
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that is essential for the proper functioning of numerous organs in the body, including the skin. It is well known for its ability to speed up the healing process of the skin. Typically, vitamin E is found in combination with other antioxidants because it serves to stabilize and boost the activity of other antioxidants.
Vitamin E is commonly found in moisturizers, creams, and lotions that provide relief for dry skin, as well as stretch mark-reducing products.
Niacinamide
Niacinamide is a well-tolerated, powerful, and popular antioxidant in skincare. It is also referred to as nicotinamide and vitamin B3. This powerful ingredient can be found in a variety of foods, including fish, vegetables, and meat, and it is required by your body to maintain healthy cells.
It has proven to be an effective ingredient for a variety of issues over the years. Acne, oily skin, hyperpigmentation, and a slew of other issues are among them. If there is one ingredient from which you could benefit, it has to be nicotinamide.
The benefits of niacinamide include:
- Reducing the signs of aging
- Balancing oil production in your skin
- Brightening the skin
- Repairing your skin’s natural barrier
- It is anti-inflammatory
- Niacinamide reduces hyperpigmentation
- It protects your skin from UV damage
- It is compatible with most skin types
- Niacinamide helps your skin tolerate retinol a lot better
- Reduces texture
Here is a post about all the reasons why you should be using niacinamide in your skincare.
Retinoids
One of the most common ingredients in anti-aging products is retinoids. They are a form of Vitamin A that has been well researched over many years. Therefore, a lot of scientific evidence supports all the claims that retinoids have. It’s crazy to think that retinoids are considered antioxidants in skincare and let me tell you why they are. First, retinoids are derived from vitamin A and they can communicate with your cells. Through this communication, they can tell your skin to turn over faster, which results in much healthier skin over time. This amazing ingredient is a gift that will keep on giving for as long as you use it.
The most popular benefits of retinoids include:
- Increasing cell turnover rate
- It reduces wrinkles and other signs of aging
- It also helps to fight acne
- Improve skin tone (brightening)
- Control oil production
- Treat hyperpigmentation and scarring
Starting to use retinoids can be a bit of a challenge at first, but I have a great post on a comprehensive guide on how to use retinol for beginners.
Ferulic acid
I’m sure that you have seen ferulic acid usually formulated alongside vitamin C. This is because Vitamin C can be unstable, so this ingredient complements it well. So when they are formulated together they form quite a powerful duo in terms of their antioxidant properties. Ferulic acid is found in a variety of foods such as citrus fruits, apples, and others. It can fight free radicals and boost the efficacy of other antioxidants in skincare.
The benefits of ferulic acid include having anti-aging properties and increasing the stability of other antioxidants by increasing photoprotection. It also reduces sunspots.
Resveratrol
Resveratrol is an antioxidant that is derived from grapes (in the skin), dark chocolate, berries, and peanuts. In addition, it is a polyphenol, which means it has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and DNA-repairing properties. Because of its UV-fighting properties, resveratrol can counteract sun damage caused by excessive exposure to the sun.
Coenzyme Q10
Coenzyme Q10 is a powerful antioxidant that is naturally present in the skin. As soon as the coenzyme Q10 levels drop in your skin you can immediately start to notice visible signs of aging. Applying topically can alleviate such types of symptoms, by reducing oxidative stress in your skin and neutralizing free radicals. It is commonly found in products that claim to “reduce cellulite” when applied to the body.
It also stimulates collagen production in your skin because it is one ingredient that is easily absorbed into your skin.
Best antioxidant products for different skin concerns
Choosing the right antioxidant for your skin’s concerns can be quite challenging. However, there are so many formulations that can help you achieve all the goals you mean to achieve. Here is a list of some of my favorite antioxidant products with amazing ingredients that can help treat many skin conditions.
Timeless Skin Care 20% Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum
This Timeless serum is a close contender to the gold standard SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic. Vitamin C and ferulic acid act as antioxidants in this lightweight, inexpensive formula. Another antioxidant that it contains is Tocopherol which further helps to stabilize formulations with vitamin C and ferulic acid. The antioxidant is also able to increase photoprotection from the sun’s UVB rays, and it also has emollient properties.
This product is suitable for most skin types, especially if you are looking for a preventative anti-aging product. It layers well under your sunscreen for that extra protection that we all need.
Because it has such a low pH it may be a bit irritating for people with sensitive skin, so please patch test it before use.
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Serum
The Ordinary Niacinamide is one of the most popular niacinamide serums right now and it has amazing ingredients that are not irritating. The texture of the serum is transparent and lightweight and can be a little bit sticky but it absorbs into the skin quite well. A healthy dose of niacinamide is present in the serum, which acts as an antioxidant. The serum also contains zinc which is very beneficial for people who are fighting acne.
Aside from reducing signs of pigmentation, this serum controls oil production in your skin, reduces acne, and improves the skin’s barrier.
Rohto Mentholatum Melano CC Vitamin C Essence
This Japanese brightening essence is one of the finest vitamin C products that I have ever used. Let’s start with the packaging. It is in an opaque tube that has a small drop at the tip. This allows enough product to be released from it meaning that very little product ends up in waste and next to no air or pollutants get into the product. Considering how unstable vitamin C can be, the packaging is the ideal way to preserve the product and keep its efficacy.
This essence also contains other amazing ingredients such as licorice root extract which brightens the skin, soothes it, and is an anti-inflammatory. It also contains Vitamin E which is an antioxidant as well.
Melano CC is good for people with acne-prone skin because it is quite lightweight. It is also effective for people who want to brighten scars from acne or reduce hyperpigmentation and even out their skin tone.
COSRX Refresh ABC Daily Toner
If you’re looking for a gentle and effective toner that has a ton of different ingredients, will gently exfoliate your skin, and brighten it over time- this is the toner for you. This amazing product has vitamin C in the form of Ascorbyl glucoside which is the main antioxidant. It also has niacinamide, alpha hydroxy acids, and beta hydroxy acids. The Willow bark extract in the product also enhances its soothing properties so if you have sensitive skin this will be a match for your skin type.
The toner will leave your skin feeling smooth soft and bright.
Vichy LiftActiv B3 Dark Spot Corrector and Face Serum
This Vichy formula is formulated with 4% niacinamide, vitamin C and tranexamic acid that will help to reduce signs of hyperpigmentation. If you’re also trying to fight any signs of aging or even prevent it, this is the serum for you. Other ingredients that the serum contains include Vichy volcanic water, glycolic acid which helps to exfoliate the skin, and glycerin which acts as a humectant and attracts water into the skin. It also contains allantoin, which is soothing and anti-irritating.
Naturium Vitamin C Super Serum
This Naturium serum is a jack-of-all-trades because it contains ingredients from different walks of life. It has:
- Retinol will offer you anti-aging properties
- It has niacinamide which also has a ton of benefits
- Vitamin C will help with the anti-inflammatory and brightening properties of the product
- Hyaluronic acid which is a humectant
- Salicylic acid helps to exfoliate the skin and reduce the occurrence of acne and oily skin
If you are a newbie to skincare and don’t have the time or money to try so many types of products, this is the product for you. Because it contains so many ingredients that work in different ways to treat different skin issues, it will benefit you. This is because you do not have to figure out which ingredient to use and win. After all, Naturium has done it for you. I honestly love this product to b because it just makes sense, even for sensitive skin.
What you can do to get the most out of your antioxidant in skincare products?
What are the best antioxidants I can use? I’m sure you’re asking yourself this question. Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to that question because it all depends on what your skin needs. Are you looking to brighten your skin or are you looking to reduce signs of aging or prevent them?
Finding a suitable antioxidant for your skin concern would require first determining what it is that you need from an antioxidant. The most effective way to tackle a particular skin condition is by using different ingredients that work in different ways. This will attack the problem from different angles. So, let’s say that you find a product that has both vitamin C and niacinamide. That way you have two powerful antioxidants in one product that can help a plethora of problems with your skin.
Making sure that you always use sunscreen is another effective way to get the most from them. Vitamin C in particular layers very well under sunscreen to boost its protection benefits.
And finally
After discovering these antioxidants, maybe you’ve learned a little bit more about them. Is it a skincare ingredient that you will pay more attention to and add to your regimen, or have you already been using an antioxidant and you just didn’t know it?
Consider including them in your regimen. Make sure, however, that the formulation you choose is effectively suited to the type of skin you have, as well as the packaging of the product. This is because you don’t want to waste your money on something that’s not gonna work for as long as it’s available.
Now tell me what antioxidants have you been using or which ones do you plan to use?
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