What Antioxidant is Best For My Skin

Antioxidant

Sometimes called “free-radical scavengers”, antioxidants are substances that can prevent or slow cell damage caused by free radicals, which are unstable molecules produced by the body in response to environmental and other stresses.

Antioxidant sources can be both natural and synthetic. Antioxidants are thought to be abundant in certain plant-based foods. Plant-based antioxidants are a type of phytonutrient, or nutrient derived from plants.

Endogenous antioxidants are antioxidants produced by the body. Exogenous antioxidants are those that come from outside the body.

How does it work

Antioxidants counteract free radicals by sacrificing some of their own electrons. They act as a natural "off" switch for free radicals by making this sacrifice. This helps to break a chain reaction that can affect other molecules in the cell and cells throughout the body.

Antioxidants are substances that aid in the protection of the skin's surface from oxidative damage caused by free radicals and environmental aggressors such as UV light and pollution. Because of their potent anti-aging properties, antioxidants are frequently found in skin care product formulations.

What does it do for the Skin

Antioxidants Aid in the Correction of Signs of Aging

Oxidative stress degrades collagen, impairs the skin's natural repair process, and causes inflammation, resulting in fine lines, wrinkles, loose skin, acne breakouts, and a blotchy skin tone. Antioxidants, by scavenging free radicals, can help prevent and correct these visible signs, giving skin a more youthful glow.

Antioxidants Aid in the Prevention of Sun Damage

Antioxidants can help compensate for sunscreen's inherent flaws (as well as human error in application) by neutralizing the free radical damage caused by sun exposure. They literally act as a defense mechanism by diffusing the effects of harmful rays that pass through your sunscreen.

Antioxidants Aid in Skin Repair

Inflammation stifles the skin's natural renewal process. Antioxidants allow skin to repair itself and repair visible damage by reducing inflammation.

Antioxidants Aid in the Brightening of Skin Tone

Free radicals and excessive sun exposure can also cause changes in the production of melanin in our skin, resulting in dark spots and uneven skin tone. 

Antioxidants can help prevent abnormal skin pigmentation by reducing photodamage. Some antioxidants, such as vitamin C, also work to inhibit tyrosinase, an enzyme that stimulates melanin production.

Antioxidant Sources

Plant foods are high in antioxidants. They are most abundant in fruits and vegetables, but also in nuts, whole grains, and some meats, poultry, and fish.

Specific antioxidants can be found in the following foods:

• allium sulphur compounds – leeks, onions and garlic

• anthocyanins – eggplant, grapes and berries

• beta-carotene – pumpkin, mangoes, apricots, carrots, spinach and parsley

• catechins – red wine and tea

• copper – seafood, lean meat, milk and nuts

• cryptoxanthin – red capsicum, pumpkin and mangoes

• flavonoids – tea, green tea, citrus fruits, red wine, onion and apples

• indoles – cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower

• isoflavonoids – soybeans, tofu, lentils, peas and milk

• lignans – sesame seeds, bran, whole grains and vegetables

• lutein – green, leafy vegetables like spinach, and corn

• lycopene – tomatoes, pink grapefruit and watermelon

• manganese – seafood, lean meat, milk and nuts

• polyphenols – thyme and oregano

• selenium – seafood, offal, lean meat and whole grains

• vitamin A – liver, sweet potatoes, carrots, milk, and egg yolks

• vitamin C – oranges, blackcurrants, kiwifruit, mangoes, broccoli, spinach, capsicum and strawberries

• vitamin E – vegetable oils (such as wheat germ oil), avocados, nuts, seeds and whole grains

• zinc – seafood, lean meat, milk and nuts

• zoochemicals – red meat, offal and fish. Also derived from the plants that animals eat.

Choosing the Best for Your Skin

Antioxidants come in a variety of forms, with some being more potent than others. Topical skin care products containing them can protect cells from UV light, pollution, and other environmental factors that produce harmful free radicals. 

The following are the most common antioxidants found in skin care products:

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a favorite among dermatologists and one of the most researched antioxidants. As a free radical scavenger, vitamin C has numerous skin benefits, including increased collagen production (which makes skin firmer) and the removal of dark spots. 

Use it in the morning to maximize its ability to prevent sun damage and inhibit hyperpigmentation—and always use it in conjunction with sunscreen.

Niacinamide

This vitamin is frequently used to treat skin conditions such as rosacea and acne, and it is not known to cause any negative reactions, making it ideal for sensitive individuals.

Because of its ability to reduce inflammation, niacinamide can also help to soothe breakouts, improve skin barrier function, and fight redness.

Resveratol

Because of its anti-aging properties, resveratrol is known as the "longevity molecule." Resveratrol, an antioxidant found primarily in the skins of fruits such as grapes and berries, serves as the plants' defensive armor and has a similar reparative effect when used in skin care products.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that is essential for the proper functioning of many organs in the body, including the skin. It is well known for its ability to speed up the healing process of the skin. It's no surprise that vitamin E is frequently found in moisturizers, creams, and lotions designed to treat dry skin, as well as products intended to reduce stretch marks. 

Because vitamin E helps to stabilize and improve the effectiveness of other antioxidants, it is frequently found in combination with vitamin C or resveratrol.

Retinol (Vitamin A)

This antioxidant, a vitamin A derivative, is especially effective because of its small molecular structure, which allows it to delve deeper enough into the skin to effectively enhance collagen production and speed up cell renewal and repair.

Coenzyme Q10 

As we get older, the amount of coenzyme Q10, also known as ubiquinone, in our bodies decreases, making us more prone to wrinkles and photo-aging. 

According to research, increasing your topical application of this antioxidant helps fight free radical damage and keeps your skin cells healthy. This nutrient is easily absorbed by the skin and aids in the stimulation of collagen production, which improves elasticity and texture.

Polyphenols

There are thousands of polyphenols (resveratrol is one) found in fruits, vegetables, green or black tea (also known as flavonoids), and other botanicals.

Consumption and topical application of polyphenol-rich ingredients has been shown in studies to improve our skin's natural protection against oxidative stress, prevent signs of aging, and repair DNA damage.

Selecting the Right Skincare Product

There are a plethora of antioxidant skincare products available on the market today. In fact, your current skincare routine most likely includes at least one product containing antioxidant ingredients; they're that common and popular.

So you have options — possibly too many to consider. Here are a few pointers to consider when selecting a product.

What is your Ultimate Goal? 

It's best to begin with the end goal in mind. Do you want to fade dark spots, reduce fine lines, or protect yourself from sun damage? That will give you a good idea of what product form to look for.

Look for a Product that has a High Concentration of Antioxidants. 

According to research, skincare products containing a variety of antioxidant ingredients have higher antioxidant activity and are thus more effective.

Experiment with Various Products Until You Find one that You Like. 

The name of the company isn't as important as how the product feels on your skin. If you like how it feels, you're more likely to use it on a regular basis. 

Because antioxidant products work best when used consistently, you'll need to use them on a regular basis to see results.

Consider the Other Ingredients in the Product. 

Antioxidants aren't the only ingredients that benefit the skin. There are numerous other anti-aging skincare ingredients to look for in over-the-counter skin care products that can improve the appearance and feel of the skin.

Hyaluronic acid is extremely effective at hydrating dry skin. Glycolic acid, lactic acid, and mandelic acid all brighten the complexion while also combating aging. Examine the product as a whole to see if it meets your skin's requirements.

Do You Require Recommendations? Consult a Professional. 

If you're still feeling overwhelmed, ask your dermatologist or esthetician for some product recommendations.

The Bottomline

Be honest with yourself about what an antioxidant skin care product can and cannot do for your skin. Although antioxidants can help the skin look brighter and feel smoother, they won't produce dramatic results overnight. Long-term use will give you the best results.

If you want to see a significant improvement in sun damage, fine lines, and wrinkles, prescription topical retinoids such as Retin-A or Renova are highly effective. When compared to an OTC antioxidant skincare product, they can provide better results in a shorter period of time.

Other procedures to consider include chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and laser treatments if you want to see more dramatic results.

If you want a more noticeable improvement, consider chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and laser treatments.