The Beauty of Antioxidants For Skin

Antioxidants. Even if you are not remotely interested in science or health, you likely have heard the term ‘antioxidant’ thrown around before. Perhaps the first thing that springs to mind is a bowl of blueberries, or even dark chocolate. Both of these foods are often touted for their antioxidant benefits. But what are antioxidants exactly and what do they do for us?

The role of antioxidants

Take a look at the word ‘antioxidant’. ‘Anti’ means ‘opposed to’, and ‘oxidant’ is the term given to an oxidising agent. That is, a substance that gains electrons. Free radicals are unstable, highly reactive molecular species. To best explain the action between antioxidants and free radicals, let’s briefly throw in some basic chemistry. A stable and unreactive atom or molecule has a full outer shell of electrons. If its outer shell is incomplete, it will form bonds with other atoms or ions in order to achieve a full outer shell.

A free radical is a chemical species with an unpaired electron. The unpaired electron means that this free radical atom or molecule is desperately attempting to fill its outermost atomic orbital. This is why it is so reactive. Free radicals are able to undergo a number of chain reactions. They attack cells and cause damage in the body, leading to a number of diseases, oxidative stress and what we know as ‘ageing’.

Antioxidants work to oppose free radicals in the body. They do this in a number of ways. For the sake of our original definition of ‘antioxidant’, they do this by donating an electron to these unstable free radicals. Thus lessening the harmful effects of cellular damage. If you’ve ever heard that antioxidants help to ‘keep you young’, this is what they mean. The antioxidants will act as a defense against the damage from free radicals, thus curtailing the ageing effects on the body.

Free radicals are everywhere

You might be aware that free radical exposure increases as a result of environmental pollution, smoking or excess UV exposure. However, free radicals can also be formed internally by our body’s own processes. They are produced internally through exercise, inflammation and by our own mitochondria.

Free radicals are not inherently evil per se; it is their presence in excess without the adequate level of antioxidants to combat them that causes trouble. Therefore a balance between free radicals and antioxidants is needed to ensure the proper function of physiological processes. As I always say, the dose makes the poison and an imbalance in anything can lead to an unfavourable result.

Give me all the antioxidants

Antioxidants come from enzymatic sources such as glutathione, as well as non-enzymatic sources such as good ol’ vitamins C and E. Just by topping off your breakfast with some vitamin C-rich citrus or berries, and vitamin E-rich nuts and seeds, you are already starting your day off with some potent antioxidant activity. You may have noticed if you drizzle some lemon juice over chopped fruit you can prevent it from turning brown. The lemon juice prevents the oxidation of the fruit when it is exposed to air. 

Other great sources of antioxidants are green tea, goji berries, blackberries, dark chocolate, herbs and spices like cinnamon and parsley, just to name a few. In future blog posts, I will be diving deeper in to the very best food sources of antioxidants and the anti-aging compounds you need in your life.

Antioxidants in skin care

Unlike other active ingredients, antioxidant usage does not necessarily show immediate results. They do however have a protective effect against the cumulative damage caused by oxidative stress in the long-term. You might not get that instant gratification result from using an antioxidant serum for example. However, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure and regular use pays off.

People tend to turn to vitamin C as their go-to antioxidant product, and while topical application of vitamin C does have remarkable benefits for skin, it is not the only antioxidant around. Many vitamin C products don’t always agree with my skin. Although, I must say I have been enjoying this vitamin C product recently. I’ll explain all the details and why I like this particular product in an upcoming post, but *spoiler alert* vitamin C is not easy to formulate and this is one of the better ones. Click here for the post all about vitamin C skin care benefits. I will also be publishing an article on more about vitamin C derivatives and esters, and which product to choose for your skin needs.

Some people (including myself) find that certain variations of vitamin C do not work for their skin and even cause breakouts. But you don’t have to put up with breakouts just to feel as though you are getting the benefits of antioxidants. There are plenty to choose from. I will be going in-depth into what to look out for in antioxidant products in an upcoming article very soon. Click here for a must-read article on everything you want to know about the antioxidant hyaluronic acid.

Get the biggest results

Antioxidant ingredients break down in the presence of oxygen and light. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to the packaging of whatever antioxidant product you choose to use. Opaque packaging that does not come in contact with the air is the best choice.

Pair your daily sun protection with a product containing antioxidants. This can help to ensure you are getting maximum protection throughout the day from environmental stressors, pollution, and UV radiation. Read this post about why you need sun protection and follow the blog for upcoming posts on the best tried and tested SPF products. Do you use antioxidants in your routine? If so, what are your go-to products or foods with antioxidants?

Wishing you boundless love, endless light, and life without limit,

Shannon xo

This post is in no way sponsored. All opinions are my own.

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