An A To Z Guide On Antioxidants For Skin

agingLauren Petrullo
A woman with glowing skin
1 comment

Welcome to your ultimate antioxidant ABCs! 

Believe it or not, skipping your daily dose of antioxidants is like telling wrinkles and dark spots “hey there—make yourself comfortable.” So, if you’re in the dark about topical antioxidants or are a skincare enthusiast looking for more info about this must-know topic, this blog is for you. 

Let’s break down the basics and dive deep into every antioxidant from A (as in vitamin A) to Z (as in zinc). So grab a cup of coffee, and cozy up with your skincare journals/notebooks/scrap pieces of paper if necessary; let’s get started on our antioxidant adventures!

Antioxidants Overview: Why They Matter

Antioxidants are essential nutrients that protect our cells from damage caused by oxidative stress, which can accelerate aging and contribute to various health conditions. Recent studies have highlighted new compounds exhibiting powerful antioxidant properties, such as astaxanthin from algae and curcumin from turmeric, suggesting they may offer even greater skin and health benefits.

What Are Antioxidants?

The scientific definition of antioxidants encompasses compounds that interact with and stabilize free radicals while helping to prevent damage to our cells. These are diverse and include well-known nutrients such as vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, polyphenols, and plant-derived flavonoids. Common antioxidant-rich foods include berries (like blueberries and strawberries), dark chocolate, artichokes, and nuts such as walnuts and pecans. Incorporating a variety of these foods into your diet can significantly boost your antioxidant intake.

In simpler terms, antioxidants are like superheroes for our bodies! Just as superheroes protect us from villains, antioxidants shield us from free radicals. Free radicals are molecules with an irregular electron arrangement, which makes them highly reactive and capable of inflicting cellular damage, leading to dark spots, wrinkles, and fine lines. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals by providing the missing electron, thwarting any potential harm.

6 Antioxidant Skin Benefits

Antioxidants make impressive claims, especially in the beauty and anti-aging sectors. Everywhere you look, there's a new cream, serum, or oil loaded with nutrients and antioxidants. So, what do antioxidants do for the skin? Here are 6 benefits you'll undoubtedly appreciate:

1. Stimulating elastin and collagen production

Antioxidants stimulate the production of elastin and collagen, essential proteins that provide skin with elasticity, moisture, and firmness. This leads to a radiant complexion and diminishes the appearance of wrinkles. They combat free radicals caused by environmental stressors like pollution and smoking, essential for maintaining the skin's structural integrity.

2. Help with uneven skin tone

Free radicals can lead to cellular damage and create an uneven skin tone. Antioxidants help regulate melanin production— the pigment responsible for skin color—by neutralizing free radicals from environmental pollutants and UV damage.

3. Improving dry skin hydration

It may seem contradictory that antioxidants, which fight oxidative damage, actually help retain moisture in the skin. They prevent free radicals from causing cellular dehydration, restoring elasticity while boosting the skin's moisture retention ability.

4. Fights against skin aging

By defending against oxidative stress from sun exposure and pollution, antioxidants play a crucial role in maintaining youthful skin. Studies indicate that they can mitigate outcomes such as wrinkles, sagging, and dryness by neutralizing free radicals.

5. Reducing inflammation

Antioxidants possess powerful anti-inflammatory properties, combating inflammation caused by environmental toxins, UV exposure, and oxidative damage. They act as defenders, mitigating conditions like acne, rosacea, and eczema by reducing overall skin irritation.

6. Protects against sun damage

Constant exposure to UV rays generates free radicals that damage skin structure and accelerate premature aging. Antioxidants serve as a protective barrier, absorbing harmful energy and reducing oxidative damage in skin cells, helping maintain a youthful appearance.

For optimal skin health and overall well-being, aim to include a balance of topical antioxidants in your skincare routine and consume a diet rich in antioxidant-laden foods. This dual approach helps safeguard against oxidative stress and promotes youthful, radiant skin.

8 Best Antioxidants for Skin You Need To Add To Your Routine

If you're looking for the best antioxidants to add to your skin routine and combat signs of aging and hyperpigmentation, our skincare fairies have narrowed it down to a few trusted ones: 

Vitamin A *aka retinol*

The vitamin helps repair existing damage by restoring collagen production and rebuilding the protective layer of the skin. That same protective layer is super important in protecting your skin from free-radical damage caused by environmental factors like sun exposure and air pollution, which can cause wrinkles and discoloration. Plus, Vitamin A has that added bonus of making you look younger by evening out pigmentation and bringing back your natural glow!

Warning: Though most antioxidants can be used during the day, it’s recommended to use vitamin A at night since it can make your skin more sensitive to the sun. 

Vitamin B3 *aka niacinamide*

Niacinamide is often hailed as one of the best antioxidants available when it comes to skin health. It can help reduce inflammation, discoloration, and wrinkles while strengthening the skin barrier and diminishing photodamage from sun exposure. 

It's a powerhouse ingredient that your skincare routine can't live without! In addition to being a powerful antioxidant, niacinamide has also been known to be helpful for balancing oil production in the skin so you don't have to worry about looking like an oil slick anymore.

Essence
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Beta-carotene

Beta-carotene is an antioxidant powerhouse, found abundantly in plants like carrots, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin. This antioxidant can protect the body from oxidative damage and inflammation, which has a range of health benefits. 

Beta-carotene works by neutralizing any rogue oxygen molecules that produce free radicals in the body—like a superhero cape! It's even been linked to improving skin tone and reducing your risk of age-related macular degeneration. 

Vitamin C

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is the trendiest, most potent antioxidant out there. When topically applied, vitamin C is a superpower for your skin health, giving you the power to fight off premature aging and maintain a glowing complexion. Vitamin C works as an antioxidant, preventing oxidizing agents from damaging healthy cell structures and promoting collagen production. 

Thanks to its radical-fighting abilities, when applied regularly, vitamin C helps protect your skin from pollution and other environmental threats. Plus due to its ability to boost overall skin radiance, it’s often referred to as nature’s answer to finding a more permanent solution to that natural glow we all strive for!

Moisturizer
Green Tangerine Vita C Dark Spot Tone-Up Cream - Brighten & Even Skin Tone
Moisturizer Green Tangerine Vita C Dark Spot Tone Up Cream
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Vitamin E

Vitamin E helps to protect against environmental aggressors like sun exposure, smoke, and pollution. Not only does it create a protective shield on the surface of your skin, but it also helps to fight off free radicals that damage collagen and accelerate aging. Vitamin E encourages healthy cell growth and strengthens capillaries! 

Plus, it's also known to have moisturizing properties, so you can stop worrying about dried out skin that has seen too much sunlight.

Polyphenols

Polyphenols are an incredible antioxidant that can be found in a variety of food sources, and applying them to your skin is a great way to combat the effects of both aging and pollution. This special compound has natural antioxidant properties that destroy free radicals such as UV rays, smoke, toxins, and other environmental insults that can cause serious damage over time. 

Not only do polyphenols protect the skin from free radical damage, they have also been shown to reduce inflammation, stimulate collagen production and even provide a degree of sunscreen protection.

There are several different types of polyphenols available for use in skincare products, so you’re sure to find one that works best for your skin type and concerns. From green tea extract to resveratrol from fruits and red wines, these compounds easily penetrate the skin’s surface and quickly get to work defending it from damage. 

Facial Cleanser
The Chok Chok Green Tea Cleansing Water - Refreshing Cleanser for All Skin Types
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Resveratrol

Resveratrol is an antioxidant powerhouse when it comes to skin health and weirder than that, it actually naturally exists in certain plant foods like grapes, raspberries, blueberries, and even cacao beans!

Its ability to protect our skin from day-to-day aggressors, such as pollution and sun exposure, makes it a valuable ally for healthy skin. Not only does resveratrol protect us topically, but also internally since it's known for its anti-aging skin capabilities. 

Zinc

Zinc is a natural mineral that’s very common in sunscreen. It can help reduce inflammation, which prevents premature aging, reduces redness caused by acne and rosacea, and fades stubborn scars. It also encourages collagen production, increases the elasticity of the skin, repairs damage caused by free radicals, boosts the skin’s renewal process, and reduces the risk of sunburn. Furthermore, zinc helps protect the skin from environmental damage by forming a protective barrier against pollutants in the atmosphere. 

Moisturizer
Centella Blemish Cream
Moisturizer Centella Blemish Cream
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How to include antioxidants in your skincare routine?

Incorporating antioxidants into your skincare routine is easy, and beneficial for your skin's health and longevity. 

Start by checking the ingredients of your existing products to see if they contain vitamin C or E, green tea, pumpkin, berries, niacinamide, or polyphenols. If they don't, you can add topical serums or a moisturizer with antioxidants.

There are so many antioxidant-rich options available in the market; from chemical exfoliants to toners, and serums. Just make sure they’re good for your skin type. 

Pro-tip: It’s better to use antioxidants in your morning skincare routine, since you’re more exposed to pollution and free radicals in general when you go out to work, work out, study, and other. 

Where to find the best antioxidants skincare products?

Now that you know why antioxidants for skin are a must-include in any skincare routine, it’s time to do some shopping! 

If you are already obsessed with all the potent antioxidants discussed in this blog post and want to try them ASAP, then you’re in the right place. In Asian Beauty Essentials you’ll find the best goodies to protect your skin, prevent fine lines and wrinkles, and reduce hyperpigmentation! 

From cleansers and toners to the best antioxidant serum and moisturizer, we have everything you need to start including antioxidants for skin in your routine. 

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1 comment

Vilvah

Vilvah

People with sensitive skin like me understand the importance of being extremely careful when it comes to skincare products. In such cases, information from this blog is highly informative.

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