What are Antioxidants?
The word antioxidant certainly is a much used buzzword throughout the skincare industry.
Antioxidants are naturally occurring Vitamins (such as Vitamins A, C and E) that help to protect the skin’s surface from environmental stresses.
Antioxidants are not just one ingredient, you will not see the word antioxidant in your skincare ingredients list, it refers to a group of ingredients all working the same way to ‘fight free radical damage’.
An Antioxidant is a substance that inhibits oxidation by removing potentially damaging oxidising agents such as free radicals in a living organism.
Free radicals are molecules in the environment that damage your skin, coming from air pollutants, chemicals, and cigarette smoke.
Antioxidants neutralise the free radicals to help protect your skin from damage.
What are the Benefits of Antioxidants for the skin?
Environmental stresses can accelerate the development of signs of ageing by breaking down collagen, slowing down the skin’s natural repair process and triggering inflammation.
Antioxidants can help and delay these visible signs of ageing.
All antioxidants have anti-inflammatory properties and help protect against sun damage.
Free radicals and frequent exposure to the sun can also trigger changes in our skin’s melanin production, which can cause dark spots and uneven skin tone, antioxidants can help prevent abnormal skin pigmentation.
A great example is seeing a sliced apple turn brown as it is exposed to the air, this is the process of oxidation, caused by free radicals.
Most Effective Skincare Antioxidants:
Vitamin A or Retinol: Smooths fine lines, fills in wrinkles, softens bumps and rough patches, brightens skin, fades scars and dark marks, and drastically reduces acne.
Vitamin C: Renowned for its brightening properties, Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that promotes a glowing complexion, it helps to boost collagen production, helping to even skin tone and minimise the appearance of dark spots, it also helps to tighten the feel of skin and reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles.
Vitamin E: A natural anti-inflammatory, and a strong shield against free radicals and premature ageing, it keeps skin soft and supple.
Botanical extracts (phytoextracts): There are many botanical extracts used in skincare for their antioxidant properties, including Prickly Pear, Blue Tansy and Myrrh.
Niacinamide: Also known as Vitamin B3, Niacinamide improves skin tone and texture, and helps fades dark marks.