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Antioxidants for skin: Why and What!
What are antioxidants for skin, I hear you ask? Well – they are the unsung heroes of the skincare world, and you need them in your life! These little powerhouses are on a never-ending quest to keep your skin looking glowing, youthful, and beautiful.
Consider them your skin’s very own squad of tiny (but oh so mighty) warriors, fighting off the nasty free radicals that try to cause chaos!
Some of the most powerful antioxidants include Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Niacinamide – a formidable trio when it comes to brightening, hydrating, and firming your skin.
Retinol, (Vitamin A), is another fan-favorite antioxidant, boasting a loyal following for its ability to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
What are free radicals?
We hear a lot about how antioxidants for skin fight free radicals, but what are these little demons, we hear so much about!?
Free radicals are molecules that have an unpaired electron, making them highly unstable and reactive. They are constantly seeking stability, and seek out other molecules to snatch an electron from, creating a chain reaction of electron hijacking and disruption! This process is known as oxidation.
The process of oxidation can cause damage to various cellular structures, and our DNA. When it comes to our skin, it can lead to premature ageing. And let’s be honest, none of us want that!
Jokes aside, free radicals are not entirely evil. They can also play essential roles in our immune system, helping to fight off pathogens and keep us healthy. But when free radicals are produced in excess or our antioxidant defenses are weakened, they can become a problem.
Factors such as UV exposure, pollution, smoking, dietary factors, illness, and even the natural process of aging. all play a role in this. That’s why it’s essential to support our bodies’ antioxidant defenses through skincare, diet, and lifestyle choices to help neutralise free radicals and maintain healthy, radiant skin.
What are antioxidants?
From the inside out… If you’ve read anything I’ve ever written before, you’ll know that I am all about the ‘outside in and inside out’. My days as a nutritional therapist will not let me talk about your skin, without advising you on how to look after it through the power of food.
When it comes to antioxidants for skin, the way to truly harness the power of antioxidants is through nutrition. After all, beauty starts from within!
I’ve created a little guide for you, with my top 15 recommendations for foods that contain amazing antioxidants for skin – and don’t worry, chocolate is on the list too! I know right… Gotta love the opportunity to eat chocolate where we can! Click HERE to download the guide.
Antioxidants for skin, top skin care ingredients
Obviously, we’re going to look at skincare ingredients, to watch out for! Look out for these in your skincare products. I love AlumierMD range, as their products are jam-packed full of antioxidants for the skin – helping to protect and strengthen your skin!
Vitamin C is up there as my favourite. This little powerhouse helps neutralise free radicals, brighten the skin, and promote collagen production. It has an amazing effect on reducing lines & wrinkles, brightening your complexion, reducing pigmentation, and boosting overall skin health.
Vitamin E: Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant that works to protect cell membranes and fats from oxidative stress. It’s a great ingredient to have in skin care products, it boosts moisture levels, soothes the skin, reduces fine lines, wrinkles, and sun damage. What a multi-tasker!
Niacinamide: ( Vitamin B3) This is becoming more well-known now, and it really is a little bit of magic. It’s great for treating inflammatory skin conditions. It helps to reduce inflammation and has been proven to minimise large pores too. It’s also brilliant for maintaining your natural moisture levels in your skin and helping to strengthen your natural barrier function. It both strengthens and protects.
Resveratrol: Derived from red grapes, resveratrol is a powerful polyphenol antioxidant that can protect the skin from environmental stressors and UV damage. boosts collagen production, helps to reduce inflammation, and supports healthy cell production within your skin. You’ll find this in a lot of good quality anti-ageing serums.
Green Tea Extract: Rich in polyphenols called catechins, green tea extract is a great one for treating inflammation in the skin. It is particularly helpful in protecting your skin against UV-induced damage.
Antioxidants + Sunscreen
Come on now… You didn’t expect me to write a blog on ANYTHING skin related, without shoehorning my number one piece of skin care advice, did you?!
When sunscreen and antioxidants join forces, they become your own private superhero force, fighting against skin ageing.
Sunscreen shields your skin from harmful UV rays – and let’s not forget that UVA (A is for ageing) is responsible for up to 80% of premature skin ageing! Your antioxidants provide an extra layer of protection against free radicals and oxidative stress. Having a combined approach like this is the best way to ensure your skin is protected, and as strong as possible. In turn, you’ll be rewarded with more youthful and healthier-looking skin!
Check out my video, where I go into sunscreen in more detail, and talk about the different types of sunscreen you can choose.
What about retinol?
Retinol isn’t actually an antioxidant, but it IS an antioxidant’s best friend!
Retinol works by promoting cell turnover and stimulating collagen production, which helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots. It also refines the skin’s texture and evens out skin tone, resulting in a smoother, more radiant complexion.
The benefit of using retinol is that it boosts your natural collagen levels, and improves your skin’s natural antioxidant defenses. Collagen and elastin are responsible for keeping your skin strong and healthy, and collagen helps to neutralise free radicals. So it makes sense that using retinol to boost your natural collagen levels, is going to maximise the benefits of antioxidants.
When you use retinol in your skincare routine, alongside antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E, and green tea extract, it ensures your skin is protected from oxidative stress and environmental damage. Plus, let’s not forget that retinol is great for addressing those pesky signs of ageing, like lines, wrinkles, and uneven skin tone and texture!
Antioxidants for skin - my top 5 tips
Here are my top 5 tips on how you can incorporate antioxidants for skin into your skincare:
1. Start using a Vitamin C serum daily. Vitamin C should be applied in the morning, on clean, dry skin. I personally love AlumierMD Ever Active C&E Peptide, as it contains Vitamin C & E – so it’s double the benefits!
2. Choose hydrating serum or moisturiser ingredients such as niacinamide, resveratrol, or coenzyme Q10. I love AlumierMD’s Ultimate Boost, best selling anti-ageing serum, as it contains niacinamide (B3) and tea extracts, plus to added anti-ageing boost of hyaluronic acid and soothing aloe.
3. Protect with sunscreen: Watch my video for more on this!
4. Eat the rainbow! Incorporate a variety of fruits and vegetables in your diet, focusing on those that are rich in antioxidants. Remember to download the Guide, which you can find HERE.
5. Consider antioxidant supplements: Please don’t take any supplements without checking the labels, or seeking the advice of your healthcare team, if you have a medical condition, or take medication. If you’re fine to take supplements, then I’d recommend Advanced Nutrition Programme’s SkinVit C and Skin Antioxidants, or for complete support, Skin Ultimate.
Are you sold on antioxidants for skin?
Have I convinced you of the benefits of antioxidants for your skin? Not yet? Well – let’s see how you feel after reading 5 ways your skin will improve if you incorporate them from the inside out and outside in!
Brighter complexion: Vitamin C is an amazing choice, as it both boosts collagen production and quality, plus helps to reduce fine lines and wrinkles and even out your skin tone.
Reduced fine lines and wrinkles: See my notes above on Vitamin C, it’s a multi-tasking superhero! Combine it with Vitamin E (check out AlumierMD Ever Active C&E Peptide), and you’re looking at more hydrated and softer skin too.
Improved skin elasticity: Another win for Vitamin C, and other collagen & elastin boosting ingredients. When your collagen and elastin levels are boosted, your skin is more plump and firm.
Improved skin barrier function: Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) and vitamin E can strengthen the skin’s natural barrier, which helps to lock in moisture and keep out harmful environmental pollutants. Not only does this keep your natural moisturising factors in, but it also boosts hydration and improves the strength and health of your skin.
Less inflammation: Many antioxidants possess anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe and calm irritated skin. This can reduce redness and sensitivities. Ingredients like green tea extract and resveratrol are great choices here.
You can learn more about medical-grade skin care, by clicking on the button below, where I also share other tips and advice on looking after your skin.
Antioxidants for skin, that's a wrap!
I really hope that you found my blog on antioxidants for skin helpful. If you would like some help with your skin, then please get in touch. I know it can be confusing, with all of the different advice available out there. The truth is, that there isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ answer, as so many factors affect your skin. I always work with my clients from the inside out, and outside in – to ensure you get the best possible results.
I offer remote services, as well as clinical treatments. My aesthetics clinic is based in Alton, Hampshire. I’m on the Hampshire/Surrey border, just 15 minutes from Basingstoke and Farnham, and I’m at the end of a direct train line from London Waterloo.
If you have any questions, please let me know.
And, if you haven’t taken my Skin Quiz yet, then please do. It’s fun, takes less than 4 minutes, and you’ll get immediate access to personalised results.
