Antioxidant in Skincare, Types, Benefits & Tips to Build a Routine!
by Claudia Christin on Nov 18, 2020
The basic of free radicals and antioxidant
We can’t talk about antioxidants without talking about free radicals. Free radicals are a natural byproduct of our bodies. Some external factors such as pollution, smoking, pesticides, and UV rays can increase the formation of free radicals. Once it exceeds the ability of our skin to take care of, it can cause damage to different component in cells, including our healthy skin cell. Imagine free radicals as a threat for our skin that turns our healthy cell into a dysfunctional one. While avoiding the formation of free radicals entirely is not possible, antioxidants are there to help. Imagine free radicals as a guard with armor for your cells. It will help neutralize those “bad” free radicals thus preventing our cells from damage.What free radicals can do to our skin
Imagine it as what is happening to an apple that has been sliced and slowly turns brown as it is continuously exposed to free radicals over time. The free radicals will damaged our skin cells and causing a lot of troubles, such as:- ∙Formation of wrinkles
- ∙Sagging
- ∙Dryness
- ∙Dull skin
- ∙Hyperpigmentation
How antioxidant work and come to help
You probably can recall your first encounter with the amazing phenomenon of an antioxidant back in science class in middle school where we squeeze lemon juice to a slice of apple and compare their difference with just bare apple. The one squeezed with lemon, remain fresh and plump compared to the later and it is where the vitamins/antioxidants doing its action. The same goes for antioxidants in skincare. An antioxidant will help your skin function properly and benefit your skin in many ways:A. Anti-pollution defense
B. Prevent signs of aging
C. Improve skin repair
D. Prevent sunburn
E. Prevent skin cancer
Antioxidant that you can find in skincare
While we can get a lot of our antioxidant source from plants and vegetables in our diet, there are also many ingredients that can offer you antioxidant benefit in your skincare routine. Here are some of the major and most common antioxidant you can find in skincare:A. The vitamins:
- ✓ Vitamin A (retinoids)
- ✓ Vitamin B (niacinamide)
- ✓ Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
- ✓ Vitamin E (tocopherol)
B. Plant Extracts:
- ✓ Green tea
- ✓ Resveratrol
- ✓ Astaxanthin
C. Others:
- ✓ CoenzymeQ10 (coQ10)
- ✓ Ferulic acid
- ✓ Superoxide dismutase
How to optimize your antioxidant-rich skincare
A. Combine them together
B. Wear your sunscreen
C. Healthy lifestyle and diet