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Antioxidants and our Skin

What are antioxidants and what benefits do they provide our skin?

Whether your goal is to protect or perfect your skin, e-v-e-r-y-o-n-e is looking for ingredients that actually work. Enter, antioxidants, man-made or naturally-occurring compounds that share a special superpower: Simply put, they tap the brakes on unavoidable chemical reactions that damage skin cells—ever the more reason to put antioxidants on a pedestal or better yet, slather them allll over you. Found in fresh fruits and veggies, which are known for being particularly potent sources, antioxidants such as vitamin C can also be applied topically.

Science Behind Antioxidant-Powered Skin CareScience Behind Antioxidant-Powered Skin CareFour Main Benefits of Antioxidants For the SkinFour Main Benefits of Antioxidants For the Skin

Free Radical Fighters

Antioxidants work by reversing or preventing free radicals from causing oxidative stress. As we know, cells are the building blocks of our skin. With that in mind antioxidants work by scavenging atoms’ loose electrons so that they cannot cause cell damage. Bottom Line: antioxidants are damage defenders that help slow skin aging and they deserve a place in your routine

Benefits

Antioxidants help  correct signs of aging.

Oxidative stress breaks down collagen, hinders skin’s natural repair process and triggers inflammation—and you see these effects as fine lines, wrinkles, loose skin, acne breakouts and a blotchy skin tone. By scavenging free radicals, antioxidants can help prevent and correct these visible signs and give skin a more youthful glow.

01

Antioxidants help  prevent sun damage.

By definition, all antioxidants have anti-inflammatory properties. They blunt your skin’s inflammatory response to the sun’s harmful rays, preventing sunburn and providing enhanced protection against sun damage and photoaging.

02

Antioxidants help  skin repair itself.

Inflammation impedes the skin’s renewal process. By reducing inflammation, antioxidants allow skin to repair itself and correct visible damage. Some antioxidants, like vitamin C, can also stimulate collagen production, which is vital for youthful skin.

03

Antioxidants help  brighten skin tone.

Free radicals and frequent sun exposure can also trigger changes in our skin’s melanin production, causing dark spots and uneven skin tone. By reducing photodamage, antioxidants can help prevent abnormal skin pigmentation. Some antioxidants (like vitamin C) also work to inhibit tyrosinase, an enzyme that stimulates melanin production.

04

The Antidote to Aging

Antioxidants

Aka "The Good Guys"

Because our bodies naturally produce free radicals, and sunlight, pollution, environmental toxins, tobacco, and stress also contribute to free radicals, there’s no way to completely escape them and resulting oxidative damage—womp, womp.

The best method to fight free radical damage + resultant signs of aging, however, is — you guessed it — antioxidants. By scavenging free radicals, antioxidants can help prevent and correct these visible signs and give skin a more youthful glow. Further, they reduce fine lines, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation and exhibits anti-inflammatory properties

Cosmetic Chemistry 101

Free Radicals

Aka "The Bad Guys"

Free radicals are highly reactive and unstable molecules (like your ex, perhaps). To gain stability, they react with other molecules, triggering a chain reaction that damages the structure and DNA of otherwise healthy skin cells.

Unfortunately, free radical damage leads to inflammation that gets in the way of the skin’s regularly-scheduled self-repair systems. Eventually, this can lead to acne, pigmentation & cell damage, that causes wrinkles & aging.

Filter

Vitamin AVitamin CVitamin E

ZO Illuminating AOX Serum

Incl. Vitamins A, C, E + specialized enzymes, plant extracts for optimal skin cell health.
Vitamin AVitamin E

ZO Daily Power Defense

Vitamins A, E defend skin against oxidative damage from free radicals + prevent premature aging.
Coenzyme Q10Vitamin CVitamin E

Skinbetter Alto Defense Serum

Incl. Vitamins E, C + CoQ10 to neutralize UVB-induced free radicals for renewed, refreshed skin.
Allyl PQQVitamin CVitamin E

Skinbetter Alto Advanced Defense and Repair Serum

Goes beyond Vitamins C, E to include Allyl PQQ which offers 17 additional antioxidants.
Vitamin AVitamin CVitamin E

iS Clinical Pro-Heal Serum Advance+

Incl. Vitamins A, C, E — superior antioxidant protection repairs skin cells + calms inflammation
NiacinamidePhytoenePhytofluene

Alastin Restorative Skin Complex

Incl. 3 potent antioxidants to address pigmentary concerns + TriHex® to regenerate elastin & collagen
Breakout-Busting Redness Relief

Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)

Niacinamide aka Vitamin B3 is a powerful antioxidant that improves the skin’s texture and tone. It reduces fine lines, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation and curbs inflammation at the source. Thanks to its ability to calm inflammation, niacinamide can also soothe breakouts, improve skin’s barrier function and help fight redness. It effectively treat skin conditions like rosacea & acne without adverse reactions, making it ideal for sensitive types.

The Anti-Aging “Longevity Molecule”

Resveratrol

Resveratrol is known as the “longevity molecule” thanks to its impressive anti-aging abilities. An antioxidant found mostly in the skins of fruits like grapes and berries, resveratrol serves as the plants’ defensive armor—and has a similarly reparative effect when used in skin care products. Resveratrol has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal properties, which calm down the skin, reduce skin aging and may keep [the skin] free of infections. Worth noting: it’s best used in the evening, since UV exposure can hamper its effectiveness.

Collagen-Boosting, Pigmentation-Prevention

Vitamin C

A favorite among dermatologists, vitamin C is one of the most studied antioxidants out there. As a free radical scavenger, vitamin C has many skin benefits, like boosting collagen production (which leaves skin firmer) and fading dark spots. Use it in the morning to make the most of its ability to prevent sun damage and inhibit hyperpigmentation—and always follow it with sunscreen.

Accelerates Cell Repair & Regeneration

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is an important antioxidant absolutely essential for proper-functioning, healthy skin. It’s widely recognized for its ability to accelerate the skin’s healing process. No wonder vitamin E is often found in moisturizers, creams and lotions formulated to treat dry skin, as well as products designed to reduce stretch marks. Vitamin E also helps to stabilize other antioxidants and improve their effectiveness, so you’ll often find it paired with vitamin C or resveratrol.

The “A” Stands for Age-Defying

Retinol (Vitamin A)

If there’s one ingredient that’s been proven time and time again to help turn back the clock on aging skin, it’s retinol. A derivative of vitamin A, this antioxidant is particularly effective due to its small molecular structure, which allows it to penetrate deep enough into the skin that it can effectively stimulate collagen production and accelerate cell renewal and repair. Both over-the-counter retinol and prescription forms of vitamin A (retinoids like tretinoin) are adept at smoothing fine lines and wrinkles and improving skin tone and discoloration.

Boosts Collagen + Elasticity

Coenzyme Q10

As we age, the presence of coenzyme Q10, also known as ubiquinone, in our body slowly diminishes, making us more susceptible to wrinkles and photo-aging. Topical application of this antioxidant helps fight off free radical damage and keeps your skin cells healthy. This nutrient is easily absorbed by the skin and helps stimulate collagen production, which helps improve elasticity and texture.

Sun Damage Preventing Powerhouses

Polyphenols

There are thousands of types of polyphenols (resveratrol is one) which are found in fruits, vegetables, green or black tea (also called flavonoids) and other botanicals. These compounds possess anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and antioxidant properties to prevent UV-induced skin photodamage (i.e. sun spots, premature aging, wrinkles, etc. from sun exposure) Studies show that consumption and topical use of ingredients rich in polyphenols help improve our skin’s natural defense against oxidative stress, prevent signs of aging and repair DNA damage.

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