We’ve been hearing the term “antioxidant” in both skincare and food. We know that antioxidants can contribute to good health, but what about skin health and appearance? Skincare products infused with antioxidants: moisturizers, serums, foundations and even powders. But what are antioxidants, exactly, and can they really help your skin look its best?
Antioxidants are substances that protect cells by fighting free radicals. Free radicals are molecules that occur when the skin is affected by excess sun, poor nutrition, and stress. Antioxidants in sin care can do a lot for the health and appearance of your skin, including reducing the key signs of aging. From calming irritated and blemished skin to firming and reducing the look of wrinkles, antioxidants offer great benefits. Find them in natural sources you can eat, like green tea and berries, to skincare products infused with Vitamins C and E that you can apply.
If wrinkles are a big concern (and they are for most women over the age of 30) skincare products with antioxidants can help plump the surface of the skin and make it look younger. Vitamins C and E are the top two antioxidants for reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, which accounts for thousands of products and creams for use around the eyes or other problem areas that incorporate these two powerful vitamins. You can also find high concentrations of Vitamin C in serums and Vitamin E in facial and body oils, for all over age defying.
Too much sun can not only can cause skin cancer, but it can also make your skin dry, dull and wrinkly, since it dries it out and damages cells. Sun damage can make skin appear tough and leathery, but antioxidants stimulate blood flow in the skin, encouraging the growth of new cells and helping rejuvenate the appearance of sun-damaged skin. Luckily, there are many antioxidant-rich cleansers and moisturizers available for treating sun damage that you can use on your entire body.
Another top benefit of antioxidants in skincare beauty products is skin firming. As we age, skin loses collagen and elastin, leading to not-so-tight skin. Antioxidants may actually reverse the effects of aging by improving skin health and rejuvenating its appearance. One such common skin firming antioxidant is CoQ-10, which is added to eye creams and other products (including body lotions) that are meant to firm up the skin on your face and body.