The Truth About Antioxidants For Skin
In a world that's becoming increasingly health conscious, we are all starting to spruce up on our vocabulary due to the abundance of 'live-longer' lingo that gets thrown about when promoting health and skin. One word that continues to be referenced a lot in both food and skincare is 'antioxidant' but do we truly understand the benefits of the illustrious antioxidant for skin?
Antioxidants are becoming increasingly popular, but most people aren't truly aware of the benefits they can provide for both skin and health.
What makes antioxidants for skin so special?
- Antioxidants are a mixture of naturally occurring vitamins and minerals such as Vitamins A, C, E and even Green Tea!
- They protect skin against damaging molecules called 'free radicals' that are present in the environment and cause a damaging process called oxidation.
- Damaging free radicals can develop from cigarette smoke, air pollution UV light and blue light - they really are skin's worst enemy.
- Free radicals latch onto collagen, which weakens skin's elasticity and accelerates ageing.
- Antioxidants assist in neutralising free radicals, preventing them from causing damage. Some are also able to help smooth fine lines and wrinkles, as well as brightening the skin and calming irritation.
Which antioxidants should I use?
There are a plethora of natural antioxidants available but we recommend that you focus on these to start with:
Vitamin A
Vitamin A (also known as Retinol) is arguably the best antioxidant thanks to its ability to help the majority of skin types. Vitamin A helps to smooth fine lines, wrinkles, soften any bumps, brighten the complexion, fade any scarring and can even drastically reduce acne. It's worth bearing in mind, especially for new Retinol users, that it can cause some side effects in the first few weeks of use. People can experience flakiness, breakouts and dryness but if you stick with it you will be rewarded with the results! Remember you've got to commit to something to get results, so don't give up on retinol in the first few weeks.
Retriderm Vitamin A 0.5% Retinol Skin Serum
Retriderm delivers Vitamin A with attitude! Its unique patent pending protein-rich formulation offers a highly effective alternative to prescription strength retinoids. The serum delivers a patient-friendly cosmeceutical-strength retinoid with enhanced absorption for increased effectiveness. Vitamin A is known to be essential to healthy skin, it promotes the production and differentiation of skin cells and has been clinically proven to regenerate ageing and sun damaged skin.
Vitamin C & Vitamin E
Vitamin C is the holy grail of antioxidants when it comes to skin brightening. It's ideal for boosting skin that is looking a little tired and worn out, as it can hydrate whilst also calming irritation. It is also able to encourage skin's production of collagen to help smooth any fine lines and wrinkles. Vitamin C in skincare also does an amazing job of lightening hyperpigmentation and dark spots to leave skin looking brighter! Vitamin E is a hero antioxidant - it's good at almost everything without being too overpowering. Vitamin E is a natural anti-inflammatory that shields skin against free radicals and prevents premature ageing. It also works to prevent the formation of any scars due to its skin softening properties.When antioxidants are combined together, they improve each other's efficacy and encourage better results. Vitamin E works best to combat free radicals when it's paired with Vitamin C!
This state-of-the-art, powerful anti-ageing treatment protects fibroblasts and improves the synthesis of collagen in the skin. Skin is protected from the damaging effects of photoageing and the high concentration of antioxidants helps to improve skin's barrier function. The serum is formulated with Ascorbic acid, the purest form of Vitamin C antioxidant, and at a high concentration of 15%. Alongside ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid protects skins fibroblasts from light radiation and sun-induced inflammation. Vitamin E and peptides in the exclusive protech-cell complex at 1.5% strengthens the antioxidant action by providing skin with protection against harmful light exposure.
Foods high in antioxidants
There are so many wonderful skin foods available, it's hard to pin it down to just a couple but as a general rule of thumb try to 'eat a rainbow'. Betacarotene found in sweet potatoes and carrots and lutein, found in dark green leafy veg such as spinach and kale, are packed full of potent antioxidants, essential for skin repair and protection.
If you want to supplement your antioxidant intake, The Beauty Chef Antioxidant Inner Beauty Boost is a great option. Beauty starts with a healthy digestive system and The Beauty Chef Antioxidant Inner Beauty Boost contains a probiotic concentrate rich in bio-fermented papaya to help combat free radical damage and boost gut health with natural digestive enzymes and probiotics.The formula is gluten-free, vegan, contains no artificial flavours, preservatives, colours, additives, nuts, lactose, dairy or sugar. The scientifically proven immune enhancing properties makes The Beauty Chef Antioxidant Inner Beauty Boost perfect for dull skin that has been affected by environmental damage and can also be used when recovering from illness.
For more information on how to get antioxidants for skin into your regime, speak to our skincare experts on 0113 282 7744 or email shop@facethefuture.co.uk.
