The Importance of Antioxidants in Skincare
The Importance of Antioxidants in SkincareIf you have found your way to this blog, you are likely on the hunt for information about ingredients that have been proven to work for your skin. One of the many categories of ingredients backed by studies and research is antioxidants.
If you want to find out whether antioxidants are good for your skin, you've come to the right place. We’ve used our expert knowledge to discuss what antioxidants are, review their benefits, and explore the best types you can find.
What Are Antioxidants?
What you may find interesting about antioxidants is that they can be either natural or synthetic. To put it simply, antioxidants are substances that can counteract oxidative stress and prevent free radicals from causing cell damage.
Free radicals and oxidative stress cause significant damage to your skin. They are some of the leading causes of aging and certain diseases, including diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegeneration.
Antioxidants can be obtained from vitamin and mineral supplements, vegetables, and fruits. Some substances within the body, such as glutathione, act as antioxidants. Therefore, you can receive antioxidants both through a healthy diet and through what is produced in your body.
You can also get antioxidant-rich skincare products that help keep your skin healthy and young.
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What Are the Benefits of Using Antioxidants in Skincare?
If you aren’t already aware, cells are the essential building blocks of the skin. Therefore, it only makes sense that you should provide your skin with the right defense against forces that can cause it to become damaged.
Antioxidants are the perfect ingredients to defend your skin. They can provide the following benefits to your skin:
Combat aging symptoms: Antioxidants hunt down free radicals and prevent oxidative stress. Oxidative stress and free radicals cause aging symptoms, such as unwanted wrinkles, loose skin, and fine lines. Using skincare products with antioxidants combats these signs of aging.
Prevent sun damage: Antioxidants' anti-inflammatory properties help prevent sunburn and enhance your skin’s protection against UV rays.
Enhance skin repair: Certain antioxidants can stimulate and improve the skin's natural collagen production, which is responsible for repairing your skin from damage.
Help with a glowing complexion: Some antioxidants inhibit enzymes that stimulate melanin production, which is responsible for uneven skin tone and dark spots. By preventing melanin production, your skin can achieve a glowing and even tone.
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What Are the Best Antioxidants for Skin?
Many potent antioxidants in skincare products can help your skin. Below is a list of the best antioxidants to improve your skin's overall health and condition.
- Vitamins: A, E, and C vitamins
- Carotenoids: Beta carotene, lutein, and lycopene
- Plant compounds (polyphenols): Silymarin (milk thistle), epicatechin (green tea), genistein (soybeans), curcumin (turmeric), bakuchiol (Psoralea corylifolia herb), and resveratrol (grape seeds)
Other antioxidant sources include selenium, zinc, and copper. You can speak with a dermatologist or seek out reputable skincare brands that are dermatologically proven to work to benefit from these antioxidants.
The Wrap-up on the Importance of Antioxidants in Skincare
Since their discovery, antioxidants have revolutionized skincare. They are added to many skincare products because they function well to combat the side effects of aging. When searching for a new addition to your skincare routine, you can’t go wrong if the product includes antioxidants as key ingredients.