Antioxidants are active ingredients that we have already heard a lot about and everyone raves about how many good properties they have, but do we know why exactly?
It is indeed true!
Antioxidants are extremely beneficial and are found in most skin care products for good reason. However, it is worth understanding what exactly this term means, what the scientific background is and how they work. If you know what suits you and your skin problems best, you can easily incorporate it into your routine.
What is an antioxidant and how does it neutralize free radicals?
First of all, as you can already guess from its name, "antioxidant", literally means a substance that prevents oxidation. Without getting too into the science, it's important to understand that oxidation occurs when a compound loses electrons, creating an unwanted chemical reaction.
Antioxidants are found in nature—and probably in your own kitchen—stored in things like dark chocolate, green tea, walnuts, avocados, salmon, and red wine. You can also find many antioxidants in berries.
Antioxidants are particularly useful, as they can neutralize unstable molecules called free radicals. These unstable molecules are produced in our body and skin by various environmental influences, such as sunlight, cigarette smoke and pollution. Free radicals have unpaired electrons (it means they are missing one), so they can easily react. Antioxidants "donate" electrons to free radicals, thus neutralizing them and preventing unpleasant chemical reactions.
Benefits of antioxidants in skin care
Do not forget!
Free radicals are missing an electron. That is why they strive to form a party. They stick to our cells, from which they "steal" electrons. This oxidative stress causes permanent damage to our body's DNA, proteins and cells.
When it comes to skin health, free radicals are especially harmful because they break down collagen, which is one of the basic building blocks of healthy, youthful skin. And this can cause premature aging (like wrinkles and sagging skin), inflammation (which leads to acne and other skin problems), and other issues like uneven skin tone, dull, tired skin.
By incorporating antioxidants into your skin care routine, you can prevent and reverse this damaging process. Just think what happens if you leave the apple out on the table. Right, because of the oxidation processes, it turns brown relatively quickly... That's why they usually squeeze lemon juice on apples to preserve their color! The vitamin C found in citrus fruits goes to work and protects the apple from oxidation. This is one of the main reasons why SPF and antioxidants work well together and why many recommend using antioxidants under sunscreen. This way your skin gets double protection. In addition to being free from the harmful effects of UV radiation, you can also reduce the damage caused by free radicals.
Which antioxidants should be used?
Although all antioxidants fight free radicals, they each have specific benefits. Here are some great antioxidants to look out for when choosing your skincare.
Vitamin C
Get to know the star of skin vitamins, which not only lightens dark spots and evens out skin tone, but also stimulates collagen synthesis - thus strengthening, firming and plumping the skin. You can find vitamin C in many of our products, in the form of a stable derivative.
Niacinamide
This Jolly Joker antioxidant is good for everything from minimizing the appearance of pores to reducing inflammation, especially for those with acne-prone skin.
Vitamin A
We all know retinoids as the superheroes of active ingredients when it comes to slowing down the signs of aging. It helps the skin to regenerate while stimulating collagen and skin cell renewal for a smooth, clear and youthful complexion. Retinal and other derivatives of retinol can be a good solution if your main focus is on signs of aging, uneven skin surface, or acne.
Green tea extract
The secret to healthy skin is often found in the power of nature, and green tea plays a prominent role here. Green tea is not only our favorite drink, but also a valuable ingredient for skin care. Why is it so special?
As a rich source of antioxidants, green tea helps protect the skin from harmful free radicals that can promote the appearance of signs of aging. In this way, green tea can help maintain the skin's elasticity and youthful glow.
Green tea also has natural anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe redness and irritation. In addition, green tea also has antibacterial effects, so it can contribute to a clean and healthy skin image.
Not only does it have a positive effect on the skin surface, green tea extracts deeply hydrate and nourish the skin, improving its texture and freshness. So, if healthy, radiant skin is your goal, green tea can be one of your best allies in skin care!
Vitamin E
Vitamin E protects skin from damage while conditioning skin texture. This is one of the reasons why many serums, moisturizers and creams contain it.
Ferulic acid
Phenol from a plant source, which is also one of the best naturally occurring antioxidants, mainly alleviates the damage caused by sunlight to our skin.
Numerous studies have proven the triple effectiveness of vitamin C, vitamin E and ferulic acid, which work synergistically for our skin, so we are talking about a real antioxidant bomb!
Vitamin B12
it is not only an essential nutrient for our body, but it can also play an outstanding role in preserving the beauty and health of the skin. However, the antioxidant properties of this vitamin are perhaps not so well known yet, even though they can have an extraordinary effect on the health of our skin.
Vitamin B12, also known as cyanocobalamin, is becoming increasingly popular in the cosmetics industry. This ingredient is not only responsible for the pink color of the products, but also has a beneficial effect on sensitive and reactive skin. Vitamin B12 soothes inflamed, irritated skin, protects the skin's protective layer, and also contributes to a healthy skin appearance. (Recent studies also show that it reduces histamine levels, which supports its anti-irritation properties). In addition, vitamin B12 enhances the effectiveness of other moisturizing ingredients.