Keeping our skin looking youthfully fresh, blemish-free and tightly toned as we age and protecting it against daily environmental stressors is possible thanks to antioxidants.  Although most people have heard of antioxidant skin care products, few know what they are, what they do and why they are a must for your skin care routine.

What are antioxidants? 

1.    Antioxidant molecules defend our skin against environmental damage and neutralize skin-cell-damaging free radicals – The number one cause of visible signs of aging, such as a dull skin tone, wrinkles, sagging and fine lines.

2.    Sun Exposure and Collagen Breakdown - We all know how harmful the sun’s rays can be, but what does UV exposure actually do to our skin? The degree of lifetime sun exposure has a significant effect on the photoaging of our skin. Wrinkles, deep furrows, lines, age spots (or sunspots), broken capillaries, dryness and pigmentation are just some of the signs of photoaging. UV radiation also breaks down collagen and prevents the production of new collagen. Collagen – a major component of our skin – is a protein that is vital for skin elasticity, repair and renewal and helps keep our skin looking taut and healthy. Photoaging and collagen breakdown due to the sun’s harsh UV rays are the leading causes of premature ageing. 

3.    The Benefits of Antioxidants in Skin Care Products - The powerful anti-ageing benefits of antioxidants have seen a rise in the formulation of antioxidant-infused skin care products. By penetrating deep into the skin layers, daily use of antioxidant skin care formulas encourages a more youthful appearance by reinvigorating our skin and reducing the visible signs of ageing, promoting a smooth, radiant and even skin tone in two important ways. 

4.     Vitamin E: Vitamin E (often listed as tocopherol or tocotrienols) is one of the most well-known antioxidants. This fat-soluble vitamin is available in both natural and synthetic forms. Research shows that both forms provide significant antioxidant benefits to skin, but the natural forms are more potent and last longer in skin than their synthetic counterparts.

5.    Vitamin C: Vitamin C (listed as ascorbic acid, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, and various other names) is a potent antioxidant that’s particularly effective in diminishing the look of fine lines, wrinkles, dullness, and uneven skin tone. This well-researched water-soluble vitamin is considered an anti-aging superstar for all skin types.

6.    Resveratrol: Resveratrol is a potent polyphenolic antioxidant that’s found in red grapes, red wine, nuts, and fruits such as blueberries and cranberries. It’s relatively new on the market, but emerging research is showing that resveratrol is another antioxidant superhero for your skin.

7.    Retinol: Retinol (the technical term for vitamin A) has a long-established reputation as one of the most extraordinary ingredients for skin. It’s both a skin-restoring ingredient and an antioxidant, and provides multiple benefits for almost every skin care concern imaginable, from uneven skin tone, bumps, enlarged pores, rough surface texture, fine lines and wrinkles, and improving skin luminosity.

8.    Green Tea: Green tea is a potent antioxidant when applied topically. A significant amount of research has established that tea—green, black, or white—has many intriguing anti-aging benefits. The key compound in green tea that provides its antioxidant kick is epigallocatechin-3 gallate (EGCG).

9.    Vitamin B3: Also known as niacinamide, vitamin B3 is a powerful antioxidant found in many of the foods we eat—mostly meat.

10.  Antioxidants help shield the skin from UV damage Although sunscreens help protect our skin from the sun’s harmful rays, they do not offer 100% protection. UV light can still penetrate the skin, causing sunburn and generating free radicals. By neutralising free radicals, antioxidants help repair and shield our skin against sun damage and photoaging. This diminishes the appearance of sunspots, blemishes and hyperpigmentation, promoting a more even complexion. Antioxidants help stimulate collagen and it breaks down as we age and is further depleted by UV rays. By stimulating collagen synthesis, antioxidant-rich skin care formulas can help revitalise, strengthen and firm skin, as well as reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Collagen also helps keep our skin hydrated, supple and youthfully plump in its appearance, minimising dryness, dullness and inflammation. As topical antioxidants deliver benefits straight to your skin, these products are a must in anyone’s skincare routine. 

11. Curcumin: This polyphenol antioxidant is found in turmeric root—that yellow-gold-coloured spice that’s popular in cuisines. “Curcumin helps decrease inflammation, accelerates wound healing, prevents oily skin and acne, fights free radicals, and is photo-protective, anti-aging and anti-microbial (hence acne),”

Ready to take charge and look after your skin today? Here at Elan Skin Care, we offer in-clinic treatments and online consultations and can answer any concerns you have about your skin and premature ageing. Our highly skilled and certified clinicians are passionate about skin care. Our personalised treatments and medical-grade technologies are results-driven, helping your skin look and feel younger, smoother and healthier.