Article Overview
- While antioxidants are well known as highly sought-after skincare ingredients, understanding how these molecules work within your skin can take time. In short, antioxidants fight free radicals, unstable molecules found in the environmental that can damage the skin, which is what makes them so beneficial. They include vitamin E, resveratrol, ferulic acid and, of course, vitamin C. We’ve put together this guide to help you understand antioxidants, their relationship to free radicals, and the different types of antioxidants. Read on!
What are free radicals?
Unstable molecules, known as ‘free radicals’ are highly reactive and harmful within our bodies. They are typically acquired through environmental factors like sunlight, pollution, stress, alcohol and cigarette smoke. However, free radicals can naturally form when a molecule contains an unpaired electron. Typically coming in a pair, when this electron does not have a partner, it begins to cause chaos within the cell. Free radicals will then ‘steal’ other existing set’s partners, creating a chain, multiplying and exacerbating their damage potential.
How do you combat free radicals?
The best way to protect your skin against free radicals is through antioxidants. Antioxidants work by providing that solitary electron with a pair, therefore neutralising the molecule. If antioxidant levels become too low, the body can’t free radicals, which can lead to a number of skin concerns.
What are antioxidants?
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 and act as anti-ageing agents.
What do antioxidants do?
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, and trigger an undesirable chemical reaction within your skin. Free radicals are unstable because they have only one electron, but antioxidants neutralise them by providing a spare election, halting the oxidative stress process.
What are the benefits of antioxidants?
Studies have shown that antioxidants play a key part in your body’s overall condition, they ensure that your cell production is in-check. The topical application of antioxidants works especially well for skincare, promoting a more even skin tone and skin texture. Skin is exposed to a range of elements: the harsh UV rays of summer and the cold, dryness of winter. Through this vulnerability and exposure to all different environmental factors, your skin goes through oxidative stress. Using antioxidants, whether through supplementation, via antioxidant rich foods, or with topical antioxidants, helps to prevent oxidative stress, supporting brighter skin and preventing premature skin ageing.
Where to find antioxidants
You can find antioxidants in a few different forms, in food, through supplements and in topical formulas.
- Antioxidant rich foods include berries, dark chocolate, citrus fruits, green tea, leafy greens and broccoli.
- Supplements are formulated with antioxidants like vitamin C, resveratrol, vitamin E, green tea extract and more.
- Topical antioxidants are absorbed directly into the skin to provide antioxidant protection specifically to the skin.
Types of topical antioxidants
There are a number of skincare ingredients with antioxidant properties. While they all share the same ability to neutralise free radicals and reduce 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.
Vitamin C (l Ascorbic acid)
Vitamin C (also known as l-ascorbic acid) is one of the most popular antioxidants for anti-ageing benefits. Vitamin C protects the skin against harmful free radicals, while also helping to promote collagen production, minimise the look of fine lines and wrinkles, and help with uneven pigmentation and dull skin. Vitamin C serums come in a number of formulations to suit all skin types, including sensitive skin.
Vitamin E
Also known as tocopherol, vitamin E is a highly moisturising ingredient that also has powerful antioxidant properties and benefits for blemish-prone skin. This ingredient is often found in moisturisers, eye creams and facial serums, and is suitable for all skin types Vitamin E pairs particularly well with vitamin C to aid absorption and antioxidant efficacy.
Vitamin A (Retinol)
Vitamin A (Retinol) belongs to the retinoid group of antioxidants promoting skin cell turnover, evens skin tone and reduces the appearance of wrinkles. Found in creams moisturisers and serums, retinol can cause irritation so gradual introduction is necessary.
Resveratrol
Resveratrol is part of a group of anti-ageing antioxidants called polyphenols known to help neutralise free radicals and minimise photodamage. Resveratrol is a powerful anti-ageing ingredient can also help comfort skin prone to redness and brighten uneven complexions.
Ferulic acid
While ferulic acid doesn’t work on existing skin issues, this antioxidant helps protect skin to 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.
Antioxidants and your health
It’s important to note that the level of antioxidants you have is not a measure of how ‘healthy’ you are. False discourse suggested that antioxidants were a barometer of your overall health, which is not the case. Whilst finding the right antioxidant for your skin type is recommended for reducing damage from free radicals and oxidative stress, it should not be the sole ingredient in your skincare routine. It’s important to find products that work best with your individual skin care needs, consider other key ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycolic acid when building an effective skin care routine.
Browse SkinCeutical’s Antioxidant Serums
Incorporating antioxidant serums into your routine is a great way to protect against free radicals and prevent oxidative stress on the skin, providing a natural combatant for redness, dryness or signs of ageing. You can find antioxidants in a number of skincare products, including creams, gels and serums, formulated with other beneficial ingredients to keep your skin looking radiant and bright. Browse our range of antioxidant products online.
Shop Featured Products
Resveratrol B E Antioxidant Night Serum
A concentrated night treatment with pure antioxidant-rich resveratrol to reveal visible radiance and firmness
Phloretin CF Vitamin C Serum
Vitamin C serum for discolouration
Silymarin CF Vitamin C Serum for Oily Skin
Vitamin C serum for oily skin and blemish-prone skin types
C E Ferulic Vitamin C Serum
A vitamin C serum for fine lines and wrinkles.
