Ingredient Spotlight – Antioxidants
You have probably heard of antioxidants when it comes to skin care, but what are they and what do they actually do in a skin care product?
By neutralizing free radicals and protecting the skin from environmental damage, antioxidants can help promote younger, healthier, and more radiant skin. Whether you’re searching for a serum to combat signs of aging or a product to protect your skin from pollution, antioxidants are a must in a modern skincare routine.
Antioxidants are simply small molecules that help neutralize so-called free radicals. Free radicals are troublesome, unstable molecules that can damage skin cells and other tissues. These free radicals are produced naturally in the body as a byproduct of processes like metabolism, but they’re also generated by external factors such as UV rays, air pollution, and smoking.
These radicals seek to stabilize themselves by attaching to other molecules in the skin, which can lead to cell damage, inflammation, and even DNA damage. Over time, this process can accelerate skin aging, cause pigmentation issues, and even contribute to the development of skin diseases.
This is why it’s always a good idea to include antioxidant-rich products in your skincare routine. Some of the most common antioxidants to look for include Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Niacinamide (Vitamin B), Squalane, Astaxanthin, and Coenzyme Q10 (Ubiquinone), to name a few.