Whether your skincare goals involve reducing acne, combating signs of ageing, or even just supporting your overall skin health, antioxidants are here to help.
You may have thought that antioxidants are things that show up in food products, and you’re not wrong, but they pop up in a few other places, too.
Their many benefits also make them popular ingredients in supplements and skincare, working to support your body and skin.
Let’s get the microscopes out and take a closer look at antioxidants, how they work, and which products they exist in.
What Are Antioxidants?
Time for a quick science interlude - labcoats on!
Antioxidants are substances that neutralise free radicals.
Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage cells and contribute to disease. They’re highly reactive to oxidation and in order to gain stability, they react with other molecules, triggering a reaction that damages the structure and DNA of healthy cells.
This damage can lead to inflammation, hyperpigmentation, acne, and wrinkles, all of which can get in the way of the skin’s natural repairing and protecting processes.
Not to worry, antioxidants are here to save the day! They work to prevent or delay cell damage by interacting with and neutralising free radicals, which is what makes them such a popular ingredient in skincare.
(Science lesson done, labcoats off!)
While the body produces certain antioxidants itself, most come from our diet, being found in fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and grains.
A few examples of these antioxidants are Vitamins like Vitamin A, C, and E, and minerals like Copper, Zinc, and Selenium.
Antioxidant Skincare
A big reason to incorporate antioxidants into our skincare is to combat those inevitable free radicals, and when we say inevitable, we mean INEVITABLE.
Our body naturally produces free radicals, and sunlight, pollution, environmental toxins, tobacco, and stress all contribute to them. Essentially, there’s no escaping them.
Although there are tonnes of different antioxidants out there, they all share one commonality: their mission to target and fight against free radicals causing premature ageing, cell damage, and more.
Benefits of Antioxidants
Helps prevent signs of ageing
- Oxidative stress breaks down collagen in the skin, which unfortunately speeds up the ageing process, making fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin appear earlier.
- By fighting against free radicals, antioxidants help to prevent and correct visible signs of ageing whilst promoting a youthful complexion.
- Vitamins like Vitamin C can also encourage collagen production, giving you a brighter, more even glow.
Helps prevent sun damage
- With anti-inflammatory benefits, antioxidants can help to combat your skin’s inflammatory response to UVA and UVB rays, protecting it from sun damage.
Helps the skin repair itself
- When our skin comes up against free radicals and oxidation it experiences inflammation which can hinder the skin’s renewal process.
- By reducing this inflammation, antioxidants allow the skin to repair itself and combat visible damage.
Helps brighten skin tone
- Another issue with free radicals is that they can cause changes in our skin’s melanin production, which can cause dark spots and uneven skin tone.
- By reducing the damage they cause, antioxidants can prevent hyperpigmentation and other visible signs of damage to the skin.
If we talked about each and every antioxidant that exists we’d be here for a while, so we’ve touched on a few of our favourites below:
Vitamin C
A popular antioxidant with customers and dermatologists alike, Vitamin C is also one of the most studied antioxidants.
It has a list of skin benefits, including boosting collagen production, fading dark spots, and preventing sun damage.
To really benefit from this antioxidant, use it in the morning to let its sun damage-preventing properties get to work - and always follow with sunscreen!
Making full use of this antioxidant, our Vitamin C Skin Duo works to cleanse, nourish, protect, and brighten your skin, leaving you looking and feeling radiant.
Niacinamide
Also known as Vitamin B3, Niacinamide is a powerhouse antioxidant that improves the skin’s texture and tone and reduces fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation.
It also has anti-inflammatory properties, meaning it can help soothe breakouts, improve the skin’s barrier function, and fight redness, and because of this, it’s often used to treat skin conditions like rosacea and acne.
Infused with naturally derived salts and oils, our Body Scrubs offer a little bit of self-care and luxury in your everyday body care routine. They make use of Niacinamide’s skin-loving benefits, working to soften the texture of the skin.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is an antioxidant that contributes to the function of many organs in the body, especially the skin.
It has the ability to accelerate the skin’s healing process and is often found in moisturisers, creams, and lotions formulated to treat dry skin and reduce stretch marks.
This antioxidant also helps stabilise its friends (other antioxidants), and improve their effectiveness, which is why it is often paired with Vitamin C.*
*With all of this information in mind, it's important to research and seek advice from a healthcare professional before mixing antioxidants.
While it is true that some antioxidants work better together, it’s always best to check with a dermatologist or doctor if you’re unsure or struggle with very sensitive skin.
Designed to nourish and revitalise your under-eye area, our Brightening Vitamin E Eye Cream uses this antioxidant to protect the delicate skin around the eyes, keeping it hydrated and glowing.
Retinol (Vitamin A)
A derivative of Vitamin A, Retinol’s effectiveness is thanks to its ability to penetrate deep enough into the skin to stimulate collagen production and accelerate cell renewal and repair.
It’s perfect for smoothing fine lines and wrinkles as well as improving skin tone and discolouration.
Working to revitalise your skin, our Hyaluronic Acid & Retinol Face Serum is formulated with retinol, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid, delivering essential hydration and care to your skin.
So, there’s everything you need to know about antioxidant skincare! Now you can go and enjoy the skin-loving benefits of the antioxidants in your skincare routine.