Don’t we all want to age like fine wine? However, given today’s lifestyle habits, pollution, and stress levels, this may seem like a pipe dream. Not until we tell you about that common wonder ingredient in most anti-aging products: antioxidants!
In this post, we will explain why antioxidants are crucial for skincare. We have also covered the best antioxidants available for your skin.
8 Best Antioxidants and Why Do You Need Them?
What is an Antioxidant?
Antioxidants shield cells from free radicals and the oxidative stress they cause. Are you curious about what that means?
Let’s return to the fundamentals of chemistry for a moment. An atom or molecule with an unpaired valence electron is referred to as a radical. Our bodies generate unstable, uncharged free radicals. They lack the electron required to form a bond, causing them to affect healthy cells.
When the body produces too many free radicals, chemical reactions produce highly reactive oxygen molecules (oxidative stress), which can quickly damage the body’s proteins, lipids, or DNA.
Antioxidants work together to neutralize reactive oxygen species, preventing oxidative stress in cells and tissues. They are scavengers who seek out free radicals and donate an electron to them. After being charged, the free radical becomes stable and non-harmful. Factors that contribute to free radical formation include:
- smoking.
- processed foods
- prolonged sun exposure
- pollution
- bright lights
- cell phone, and laptop/desktop screens
- Stress
How Dangerous Is Oxidative Stress?
Consider the illustration below. Consider your skin to be like a tomato. They are young, vibrant, and healthy. When they are attacked by free radicals, they lose their firmness and luster, gradually becoming lifeless or rotten (aged, in the case of skin). This is what the ‘free radical theory of aging discusses. Free radicals attack healthy skin cells and oxidize them, hastening the aging process. When your skin is subjected to oxidative stress, it is a stressful situation. It appears on the upper layer of the skin as fine lines or wrinkles.
Advantages of Antioxidants to the Body
- Antioxidants Fight Aging Signs
Collagen degrades as a result of oxidative stress. Sagging, fine lines, and wrinkles are caused by low collagen levels in the skin. Antioxidants combat all of these aging signs and restore your skin’s youthful radiance.
- Antioxidants Beneficiate Acne-Prone Skin
Oxidative stress causes inflammation in the skin, which leads to breakouts. Antioxidants reduce oxidative stress, resulting in less inflammation and acne. Antioxidants are excellent anti-inflammatory agents.
- Antioxidants Protect Against Sunburn
Your skin reacts to the sun’s harmful UV-B rays by inducing an inflammatory response. Antioxidants, which are powerful anti-inflammatory compounds, help to prevent inflammation and sunburn. Is this good news? Sun protection has been improved.
- Antioxidants help to lighten skin tone.
Melanin (skin pigment) is produced as a result of prolonged sun exposure and free radical damage. Antioxidants combat both causes, resulting in a decrease in melanin production. The end result is brighter skin.
The Best Antioxidants For Skin
- A vitamin
Vitamin A is a super warrior who combats free radicals. Furthermore, it aids in the production of collagen (the fibrous protein responsible for skin strength). Collagen production declines as we age, resulting in fine lines, dark spots, scars, and sun spots. Vitamin A helps to reduce the appearance of these signs of aging.
Vitamin A derivatives include retinoic acid,retinol, tretinoin, adapalene, and retinaldehyde. The most common ingredient in anti-aging skin care is retinol.
- Vitamin C
Vitamin C is well-known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-aging properties. L-ascorbic acid, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, ascorbyl palmitate, ascorbic glucosamine, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, and sodium ascorbyl phosphate are all examples of vitamin C.
Vitamin C is also well-known for its skin-lightening properties and is commonly used to treat sunburn.
- E vitamin
Vitamin E treats UV-induced photodamage, strengthens the skin’s natural barrier, and may be useful in the treatment of skin cancer. It is also an excellent moisturizer and aids in the healing process of the skin.
- B3 vitamin (Niacinamide)
Niacinamide combats oxidative stress while also improving skin tone and texture. It is also used to treat skin disorders such as rosacea and acne. It occurs naturally in foods such as meat. Niacinamide also aids in the strengthening of the skin’s barrier and the prevention of water loss.
- Green Tea (Extract)
Have you been putting off drinking green tea for a while? Green tea extract is high in plant polyphenols, which boost immunity, fight free radicals, and reduce inflammation. Green tea has been shown to reduce the risk of cancer. Drink two cups of green tea per day, or buy skincare products containing green tea extracts.
- Resveratrol
Resveratrol is an antioxidant that aids in the prevention of aging. It is naturally found in red wine, grapes, and berries. According to scientific studies, it is also antibacterial and has cancer-fighting properties. In addition to encapsulated retinol, the SkinKraft Anti-Aging & Antioxidant Booster Shot contains resveratrol.
- Curcumin
Have you ever reached for turmeric in the kitchen spice cabinet to soothe cuts and burns? This is due to the presence of an antioxidant known as Curcumin in turmeric. It reduces inflammation, accelerates wound healing, combats free radicals, and is antimicrobial.
- Lycopene
Lycopene is a potent antioxidant that is easily absorbed through the skin. This is a type of carcinoid that can be found in most red vegetables. Lycopene promotes collagen production in addition to fighting free radicals.
Consult your dermatologist if you develop skin allergies or abnormalities after using antioxidant serums. Please share your experiences with antioxidants in the comments section below.
