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WHAT DO ANTIOXIDANTS DO FOR THE SKIN?

Article Overview

There are countless antioxidant serums available to help protect your skin from environmental aggressors featuring a number of different antioxidant ingredients. Each formula has its own unique properties, but they all have much in common when it comes to antioxidant benefits. While antioxidants are well known as highly sought-after skincare ingredients, understanding how these molecules influence chemical reactions happening within your skin can take time. We’ve put together this guide to help demystify how different antioxidant ingredients work within the skin. Keep reading to learn the distinct benefits of different antioxidants, as well as targeted our antioxidant serum recommendations based on your skin type and concerns.

WHAT ARE ANTIOXIDANTS?

Ingredients boasting antioxidant properties are often praised by skincare experts, however the details of why antioxidant vitamins are good for your skin can take some effort to understand. What are antioxidants and free radicals? You can think of antioxidants as natural protectors against the potential harm caused by environmental aggressors.

Antioxidants are naturally commonly found in plants and foods such as fruits and vegetables. In skincare, antioxidant ingredients can be either synthesised or naturally derived.

WHAT DO ANTIOXIDANTS DO?

In technical terms, antioxidants disrupt the process of oxidative stress. In simple terms, antioxidants fight against the damage caused by the free radicals your skin encounters daily. Free radicals can be encountered through exposure to air pollution, cigarette smoke and UV radiation. These unstable molecules trigger an undesirable chemical reaction within your skin, causing damage as they ‘steal’ electrons from normal healthy cells. Where do antioxidants fit in? Free radicals are unstable because they have only one electron. Antioxidants neutralise thiem by providing a spare election, halting the oxidative stress process.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF ANTIOXIDANTS?

While all antioxidants share the ability to prevent oxidative stress, each type has its own distinct benefits for your complexion. Let’s examine the characteristics of the key types of antioxidants utilised in SkinCeuticals formulas to help you understand which antioxidant is right for your skin.

RESVERATROL

Resveratrol is part of a group of anti-ageing antioxidants called polyphenols known to help minimise photodamage from UV radiation. This powerful anti-ageing ingredient can also help comfort skin prone to redness and brighten uneven complexions.

VITAMIN E

Also known as tocopherol, vitamin E is a highly moisturising ingredient that also has powerful antioxidant properties and benefits for acne-prone skin. This ingredient is often found in moisturisers and eye creams, as well as facial serums. This comforting ingredient is suitable for all skin types and pairs particularly well with vitamin C to aid absorption and antioxidant efficacy.

VITAMIN C

Vitamin C (also known as l-ascorbic acid) is synonymous with the anti-ageing benefits of antioxidants because using vitamin C serums can help stimulate collagen synthesis, minimising the look of fine lines and wrinkles. On the other hand, vitamin C can be highly beneficial for minimising uneven pigmentation and brightening dull skin.

FERULIC ACID

While ferulic acid doesn’t work on existing skin damage, this antioxidant helps manage signs of skin ageing. Perhaps the most important benefit of ferulic acid is the way it helps increase the effects of vitamin E and vitamin C when used together in the same product.

SILYMARIN

Derived from the milk thistle plant, you can use products containing silymarin for antioxidant skin benefits against the photoageing process as well as regulating sebum (skin oil) production. This ingredient can help visibly minimise pores and manage blemish-prone skin.

PHLORETIN

Found in apples and apple tree bark, phloretin has the useful quality of enhancing absorption for other beneficial ingredients to help them work at an optimal level within your skin. Phloretin also has potent antioxidant benefits in its own right, with an emphasis on helping improve uneven skin tone.