Powerful antioxidants to add to your skincare routine
We often hear about how beneficial antioxidants are for the skin . In fact they are widely used in cosmetics.
Antioxidants generally protect the skin by limiting the production of free radicals, which can damage it. Using them daily, they can reduce freckles (sun spots), help fight the visible signs of aging and calm skin inflammation.
Several antioxidants provide hydration to the skin and increase moisture retention to help revitalize dull, gray skin .
But what exactly are antioxidants ?
And how do they work? But, above all, what are the most effective antioxidants for facial skin?
What are Antioxidants?
Antioxidants are molecules (found in vitamins and minerals) that fight free radicals and prevent oxidative stress in cells .
The body makes some antioxidants of its own, such as glutathione, but the vast majority of antioxidants are obtained from foods or supplements. They are also synthetically replicated as skin care products.
Antioxidants are especially abundant in fresh fruits and vegetables. They are important for the health of the whole body, not just the skin.
Antioxidants and free radicals
To better understand the true power of antioxidants we need to understand the nature of free radicals.
Free radicals are unstable molecules that damage cells , causing disease, cancer, inflammation and rapid skin aging. The body also naturally produces free radicals, but these can also come from exposure to various environmental factors such as ultraviolet rays from the sun, pollution, or even from lifestyles such as cigarette smoke and other chemicals.
Free radicals are unstable due to their uneven ratio of electrons to protons: a stable molecule has a uniform amount of electrons and protons. When a molecule splits and is left with an unpaired electron, the molecule becomes unstable.
An unstable molecule will try to balance itself by seeking an extra electron and stealing it from another molecule (in the skin atoms). This creates a chain reaction that damages cells.
An overload of free radicals in our system causes oxidative stress, i.e. an imbalance between the production of free radicals and the body's ability to counteract or detoxify their harmful effects.
Antioxidants provide missing electrons to unstable molecules, preventing the need for these molecules to steal an electron from another molecule. This process interrupts the chain reaction, heals cells and prevents damage caused by free radicals.
Antioxidants are found naturally in our bodies and in some of our foods, but are also synthetically replicated as skin care products that benefit the skin. They are also replicated as supplements in some foods and beverages.
Benefits of antioxidants for the skin
We mentioned that antioxidants are abundant in fresh, healthy foods, and many studies suggest eating a diet rich in antioxidants to help prevent aging and stay healthy longer.
However many skin care products incorporate antioxidants into their formulations to deliver their benefits directly to the skin.
What are the benefits of antioxidants for the skin ?
For example, the transformative benefits, which include hydrating and brightening skin, reducing wrinkles , and easing inflammation and rosacea.
Oxidative stress (cell damage caused by free radicals) is one of the main causes of skin aging. The skin undergoes oxidative stress through environmental factors, such as pollution and UV rays from the sun, and through unhealthy habits, such as cigarette smoking and the consumption of processed foods.
By stabilizing free radicals, antioxidants protect the skin from oxidative stress, allowing skin cells to heal and regenerate at a much faster rate. Free radicals are well known to destroy the natural collagen and elasticity of our skin, triggering rapid aging.
Read also: " How to take care of the skin of the face "
5 Big Benefits Of Antioxidants For Skin
Antioxidants have an anti-aging effect . With years of exposure to the sun and pollutants, skin begins to show the effects of oxidative stress. Oxidative stress breaks down collagen, hinders the skin's natural repair process, and triggers inflammation. The effects translate into wrinkles, loose skin, acne breakouts, and a patchy skin tone.
Skin antioxidants are helpful in fighting this damage by balancing the unstable molecules that reduce natural collagen and elasticity and damage skin tissue.
This stabilizing process helps reduce wrinkles and restore the skin's natural youthfulness.
Skin antioxidants help prevent sun damage . All antioxidants have anti-inflammatory properties, prevent sunburn and provide greater protection against sun damage and cellular photoaging.
Antioxidants help the skin repair itself . Inflammation impedes the skin cell renewal process. By reducing inflammation, antioxidants allow the skin to repair itself and correct visible damage.
Antioxidants help brighten skin tone and reduce hyperpigmentation . Free radicals and frequent sun exposure can also trigger changes in our skin's melanin production, causing dark spots and uneven skin tone.
Hyperpigmentation, caused by hormonal changes, sun damage, acne and irregular melanin production, can be regulated with antioxidants.
By reducing photodamage, antioxidants can help prevent abnormal skin pigmentation. Some antioxidants (such as vitamin C) also work to inhibit tyrosinase, an enzyme that stimulates melanin production.
Antioxidants fight acne .
Free radicals are also responsible for acne. These unstable molecules cause inflammation on the skin, which creates clogged pores. The skin reacts to clogged pores with red, swollen patches or pimples .
Since antioxidants diminish the effects of free radicals that lead to acne, antioxidants are an effective anti-acne solution.
The most effective antioxidants for skin care
The following ingredients are some of the most used antioxidants in the skincare routine :
- Vitamin C : It is one of the most widely used skin antioxidants. You may also find it listed as L-ascorbic acid or ester-C. Vitamin C helps stimulate collagen production and is also helpful in fading dark spots.
- Vitamin E : Has the ability to speed up the healing process of the skin. It's often found in moisturizers, creams, and lotions formulated to treat dry skin, and in products designed to reduce stretch marks .
- Vitamin B3 (niacinamide): Improves skin tone and texture and helps fade dark spots. It is an anti-inflammatory ingredient, great for acne and rosacea, and boosts the performance of other antioxidants.
- Retinol : is a form of vitamin A and is probably the most effective over-the-counter ingredient for reducing wrinkles. It also accelerates cell turnover and smoothes the skin.
- Ferulic Acid : Topical ferulic acid may protect against sun damage. It is most effective when used together with topical vitamins C and E.
- Coenzyme Q10 : is one of the antioxidants produced by the body. It is found naturally in the skin but decreases as we age. It can improve skin elasticity and texture.
- Botanical extracts (phytoextracts): In skin care products, you will find a myriad of botanical extracts, for their antioxidant properties. The most common include green tea or white tea, coffee, calendula and rosemary.
- Curcumin : is a polyphenol present in turmeric, a spice. It has anti-inflammatory and skin lightening properties.
- Resveratrol : This compound found in grapes, berries, red wine and tea helps in UV protection and is anti-inflammatory. It can also increase collagen and elastin .
- Flavonoids . They reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. They also help reduce collagen degradation and delay skin aging.
- Grape Seed Extract . It is included in topical cosmetic formulations for anti-aging products. It comes from Vitis vinifera and is rich in proanthocyanidins, which belong to the flavonoid family. Proanthocyanidins are powerful antioxidants that are involved in the elimination of free radicals. Grapeseed oil is produced from the extract, which in addition to having antioxidant properties is also an emollient and a useful ingredient for dull skin.
- Lycopene . Powerful antioxidant easily absorbed by the skin, it is a cartinoid found in most red vegetables. In addition to fighting free radicals, lycopene promotes collagen production.
Choose a skin care product rich in antioxidants
Today, you will find many skin care products with antioxidant ingredients on the market. You probably already have some at home that you use every day, precisely because they are now very popular ingredients.
But which products to choose among the many on the market?
- What do you want to get from your product? Each cosmetic has its own functions. Do you want to reduce skin spots? Protect it from sun damage? Reduce wrinkles?
- Try different products until you find the right one . You need to feel good about using a skincare product, no matter the brand or trends. Bear in mind that you will need to use it regularly.
- Look for a product that contains more antioxidants . Why? Skin care products that contain several antioxidant ingredients offer higher antioxidant activity and are therefore more effective.
- Consider the other ingredients in the product . There are also other ingredients that bring important benefits to the skin, not just antioxidants. Hyaluronic acid , for example, is an amazing substance for hydrating dry skin. Glycolic acid , lactic acid and mandelic acid brighten your complexion and also fight aging.
Antioxidants muhimu kwa ajili ya ngozi yako: Sisi mara nyingi kusikia kuhusu jinsi antioxidants ni muhimu kwa ngozi. Kwa kweli hutumiwa sana katika vipodozi. Kwa kawaida, viuavijasumu hulinda ngozi kwa kuzuia kutokezwa kwa vimeng'enya vya bure, ambavyo vinaweza kuiharibu. Kwa kutumia dawa hizo kila siku, unaweza kupunguza madoa ya jua, kusaidia kupambana na dalili za kuzeeka na kupunguza uvimbe wa ngozi. Vitu kadhaa vinavyopinga sumu huimarisha ngozi na kuongeza uwezo wa kuhifadhi unyevu ili kusaidia kuimarisha ngozi yenye rangi ya kijivu. Lakini ni nini hasa antioksidi? Na zinafanya kazije? Lakini, juu ya yote, ni nini antioxidants ufanisi zaidi kwa ngozi ya uso? Viuavijasumu ni nini? Antioxidants ni molekuli (kupatikana katika vitamini na madini) kwamba kupambana na free radicals na kuzuia mkazo oxidative katika seli. Mwili hufanya baadhi ya antioxidants yake mwenyewe, kama vile glutathione, lakini wengi antioxidants ni kupatikana kutoka chakula au virutubisho. Pia hutengenezwa kwa njia ya synthetic kama bidhaa za kutunza ngozi. Viuavijasumu vingi hupatikana hasa katika matunda na mboga safi. Ni muhimu kwa afya ya mwili wote, si ngozi tu. Antioxidants na Free Radicals: Kwa nini antioxidants ni muhimu? Radikali huru ni molekuli zisizo imara ambazo huathiri seli, husababisha magonjwa, kansa, uvimbe na kuzeeka kwa ngozi. Mwili pia hutengeneza free radicals, lakini hizi pia zinaweza kutokea kutokana na kuambukizwa kwa sababu mbalimbali za mazingira kama vile miale ya ultraviolet kutoka jua, uchafuzi wa mazingira, au hata kutoka kwa mtindo wa maisha kama vile moshi wa sigareti na kemikali nyingine. Radikali huru ni zisizo imara kwa sababu ya uwiano wao usio sawa wa elektroni kwa protoni: molekuli imara ina kiasi sawa cha elektroni na protoni. Molekuli inapojigawanya na kubaki na elektroni isiyo na jozi, molekuli hiyo inakuwa isiyo na uthabiti. Molekuli isiyo imara itajaribu kujipatanisha kwa kutafuta elektroni ya ziada na kuiba kutoka kwa molekuli nyingine (katika atomu za ngozi). Hilo hutokeza mmenyuko wa mfululizo unaoharibu chembe. Kuongezeka kwa free radicals katika mwili wetu husababisha oxidative stress. Ukosefu wa usawa kati ya uzalishaji wa free radicals na uwezo wa mwili wa kukabiliana na madhara yao. Antioxidants hutoa elektroni zinazokosekana kwa molekuli zisizo thabiti, kuzuia haja ya molekuli hizi kuiba elektroni kutoka kwa molekuli nyingine. Utaratibu huu huvuruga mfululizo wa athari, huponya chembe na kuzuia uharibifu unaosababishwa na free radicals. Antioxidants hupatikana katika mwili wetu na katika baadhi ya vyakula vyetu, lakini pia hufanywa kwa njia ya synthetic kama bidhaa za huduma ya ngozi. Pia zinapatikana kama virutubisho katika vyakula na vinywaji fulani. Kwa sababu antioxidants ni muhimu kwa ngozi, utafiti unaonyesha kwamba antioxidants ni mengi katika vyakula safi na afya, na utafiti unaonyesha kwamba kula chakula tajiri katika antioxidants kusaidia kuzuia kuzeeka na kukaa na afya kwa muda mrefu. Hata hivyo, bidhaa nyingi za utunzaji wa ngozi huingiza antioxidants katika muundo wao ili kutoa faida zao moja kwa moja kwa ngozi. Ni faida gani za antioxidants kwa ngozi? Kwa mfano, faida za mabadiliko, ambazo ni pamoja na hydrating na brightening ngozi, kupunguza wrinkles, na kupunguza uvimbe na rosacea. Mkazo wa oksidi (uharibifu wa chembe zinazosababishwa na mizizi huru) ni mojawapo ya visababishi vikuu vya kuzeeka kwa ngozi. Ngozi huathiriwa na mkazo wa oksidi kupitia mambo ya mazingira, kama vile uchafuzi wa mazingira na miale ya UV kutoka kwa jua, na kupitia tabia zisizo na afya, kama vile kuvuta sigara na matumizi ya vyakula vilivyotengenezwa. Kwa kuimarisha free radicals, antioxidants kulinda ngozi kutoka stress oxidative, kuruhusu seli ngozi kuponya na kuzalisha upya kwa kasi zaidi. Radikali huru huathiri collagen ya ngozi na kuharibu elasticity ya ngozi, na kusababisha kuzeeka kwa haraka. "Kama vile, ""Mtazamo wa ngozi"" ni muhimu kwa ajili ya afya ya ngozi, na pia kwa ajili ya afya ya mwili, kama vile antioxidants na antioxidants, ambayo ni muhimu kwa ajili ya afya ya ngozi." Baada ya miaka mingi ya kuathiriwa na jua na uchafuzi, ngozi huanza kuonyesha athari za mkazo wa oksidi. Mkazo wa oksidi huvunja kolageni, huzuia mchakato wa asili wa kurekebisha ngozi, na husababisha uvimbe. Matokeo yake ni makunyanzi, ngozi iliyopunguka, vidonda vya mkojo, na rangi ya ngozi isiyo sawa. Antioxidants ngozi ni muhimu katika kupambana na uharibifu huu kwa kusawazisha molekuli zisizo imara ambayo kupunguza collagen asili na elasticity na uharibifu ngozi tishu. Utaratibu huo wa kutuliza huchangia kupunguza makunyanzi na kurudisha ujana wa asili wa ngozi. Vitu vinavyopinga vimeng'enyaji vya jua husaidia kuzuia ngozi isiharibiwe na jua. Antioxidants zote zina mali ya kupambana na uchochezi, kuzuia jua kuchoma na kutoa ulinzi mkubwa dhidi ya uharibifu wa jua na cellular photoaging. Antioxidants husaidia ngozi kujirekebisha yenyewe. Uvimbe huzuia mchakato wa upyaji wa chembe za ngozi. Kwa kupunguza uvimbe, vioksidishaji-kimeng'enya huruhusu ngozi kujirekebisha na kurekebisha uharibifu unaoonekana. Antioxidants husaidia kuangaza rangi ya ngozi na kupunguza hyperpigmentation. Radikali huru na jua mara kwa mara pia inaweza kusababisha mabadiliko katika uzalishaji wa melanin ngozi yetu, kusababisha madoa nyeusi na rangi ya ngozi isiyo sawa. Hyperpigmentation, inayosababishwa na mabadiliko ya homoni, uharibifu wa jua, acne na uzalishaji usio wa kawaida wa melanin, inaweza kudhibitiwa na antioxidants. Kwa kupunguza uharibifu wa mwangaza, vioksidishaji vyaweza kusaidia kuzuia rangi isiyo ya kawaida ya ngozi. Vitu fulani vinavyopinga sumu (kama vile vitamini C) pia huzuia tyrosinase, enzyme inayosababisha kutokezwa kwa melanin. Antioxidants hupambana na mzio. Vitu hivyo vinaitwa free radicals na vinaweza kusababisha kuvu. Molekuli hizo zisizo thabiti husababisha uvimbe kwenye ngozi, na hivyo kufungia pores. Ngozi huitikia kwa pores zilizofungwa na nyekundu, swollen patches au pimples. Kwa kuwa antioxidants hupunguza athari za free radicals zinazosababisha acne, antioxidants ni suluhisho bora la kupambana na acne. Vitamini C ni moja ya antioxidants ya ngozi inayotumiwa sana. Vitamini C pia inaweza kuonekana kama ester ya C au asidi ya L-ascorbic, ambayo inasaidia kuchochea uzalishaji wa collagen na kusaidia kuondoa madoa ya giza. - Vitamini E: Ina uwezo wa kuharakisha mchakato wa uponyaji wa ngozi. Mara nyingi hupatikana katika dawa za unyevu, krimu, na lotions zilizotengenezwa kutibu ngozi kavu, na katika bidhaa zilizotengenezwa ili kupunguza alama za kunyooka. Vitamini B3 (niacinamide) - huongeza rangi na muundo wa ngozi na kusaidia kufuta madoa meusi. Ni anti-inflammatory, nzuri kwa ajili ya acne na rosacea, na huongeza utendaji wa antioxidants nyingine. Retinol ni aina ya vitamini A ambayo inaweza kutumika kwa kupunguza makunyanzi. Pia huongeza kasi ya kubadilika kwa chembe na kufanya ngozi iwe laini. - Asidi ya Ferulic: Asidi ya ferulic ya ndani inaweza kulinda dhidi ya uharibifu wa jua. Inatumika kwa njia ya kawaida wakati inashirikiana na vitamini C na E, ambayo ni moja ya antioxidants zinazozalishwa na mwili. Inapatikana kwa kawaida katika ngozi lakini hupungua kadiri tunavyozeeka. Inaweza kuboresha unyevu na muundo wa ngozi. - Botanical extracts (phytoextracts): Katika bidhaa za huduma ya ngozi, utapata idadi kubwa ya extracts botanical, kwa ajili ya mali yao antioxidant. Vitu vinavyotumiwa kwa kawaida ni chai ya kijani au chai nyeupe, kahawa, calendula na rosemary. - Curcumin: ni polyphenol iliyopo katika turmeric, vikolezo. Ina uwezo wa kuzuia uvimbe na kuangazia ngozi. Resveratrol: Kiwanja hiki hupatikana katika zabibu, berries, mvinyo mwekundu na chai husaidia katika ulinzi wa UV na ni anti-uchochezi. Pia inaweza kuongeza collagen na elastin. - Flavonoids. Huzuia uvimbe na mkazo wa oksidi. Pia husaidia kupunguza uharibifu wa collagen na kuchelewesha kuzeeka kwa ngozi. - Mchanganyiko wa Mbegu za Zabibu. Ni pamoja na katika formulations topical vipodozi kwa ajili ya bidhaa za kupambana na kuzeeka. Inatokana na Vitis vinifera na ni tajiri katika proanthocyanidins, ambayo ni ya familia ya flavonoid. Proanthocyanidins ni antioxidants nguvu ambayo ni kushiriki katika kuondolewa kwa free radicals. Mafuta ya mbegu ya zabibu hutengenezwa kutoka kwa dondoo, ambayo pamoja na kuwa na mali ya antioxidant pia ni emollient na kiungo muhimu kwa ngozi ya giza. - Lycopene. Ni antioxidant yenye nguvu inayopatikana kwa urahisi na ngozi, na ni cartinid inayopatikana katika mboga nyingi nyekundu. Mbali na kupambana na misingi huru, lycopene huchochea utengenezaji wa kolageni. Chagua bidhaa ya utunzaji wa ngozi yenye antioxidants nyingi, kwa hivyo utapata bidhaa nyingi za utunzaji wa ngozi na antioxidants kwenye soko. Labda tayari una baadhi ya bidhaa hizo nyumbani na unazitumia kila siku, kwa sababu ni bidhaa za kawaida. Lakini ni bidhaa zipi za kuchagua miongoni mwa bidhaa nyingi zilizo sokoni? - Unataka kupata nini kutoka kwa bidhaa yako? Kila dawa ya kupendeza ina kazi yake mwenyewe. Je, unataka kupunguza madoa ya ngozi? Je, ni lazima uilinde kutokana na madhara ya jua? Kupunguza makunyanzi? Jaribu bidhaa tofauti hadi upate ile inayofaa. Unahitaji kujisikia vizuri kuhusu kutumia bidhaa ya huduma ya ngozi, bila kujali brand au mwenendo. Kumbuka kwamba unahitaji kuitumia kwa ukawaida. - Tafuta bidhaa yenye antioksidi nyingi. Kwa nini? Bidhaa za utunzaji wa ngozi ambazo zina viungo kadhaa vya antioxidant hutoa shughuli ya juu ya antioxidant na kwa hivyo ni bora zaidi. - Fikiria viungo vingine katika bidhaa. Pia kuna viungo vingine vinavyoleta faida muhimu kwa ngozi, si antioxidants tu. Asidi ya hyaluronic, kwa mfano, ni dutu ya ajabu kwa hydrating ngozi kavu. Asidi ya Glycolic, asidi ya Lactate na asidi ya Mandelic huongeza rangi ya ngozi na pia hupambana na kuzeeka.