Antioxidants have been a buzzword in the skincare industry for quite some time now, and for good reasons. These powerful compounds help protect our skin from all of the environmental damage we sustain throughout our daily lives, making them a paramount part of any skincare routine. Environmental damage can be caused by exposure to pollution, chemicals, UV rays, stress ect. This type of damage and aging leads to free radical build up, which causes harm to our skin and increase signs of aging. Antioxidants neutralize these free radicals!
By incorporating antioxidants into our skincare regimen, we can help combat free radicals and keep our skin looking radiant and healthy. Some of the most popular antioxidants for skin include vitamin C, vitamin E, Niacinamide, resveratrol, and Vitamin A, among others.
Let’s break them down and learn about these amazing antioxidants.
Vitamin C is known for its brightening and firming properties, making it a power house antioxidant. If you want an even skin tone, less inflammation, and increased collagen production, then it’s time to add vitamin C into your skincare regimen. Vitamin C can be hard to tolerate sometimes and is unstable as well, so you may be wasting your time if the vitamin C you choose is the wrong kind. Another option would be Vivid Brightening by Hydrinity, which is gentle but effective at brightening through the power of patented technology, fruit extracts, oligopeptides, and acetyl tetrapeptides. Vivid brightening is hydrating and dramatically improves tone without irritation and has become a favorite among our patients! Another antioxidant is Vitamin E, which is great for improving skin hydration, reducing scars and redness, lessening inflammation, strengthening the skin barrier, and increasing firmness in skin.
Niacinamide is a wonderful skin antioxidant and a fairly newer one in popularity but for great reason. Niacinamide is like a loaded baked potato, because it just has it all! Niacinamide helps minimize pores, reduces acne, increases skin hydration, regulates oils and helps treat acne, and helps plump and smooth wrinkles. Resveratrol is MY FAVORITE! I think a whole other blog on this antioxidant is necessary. Both oral supplemental and topical are great for overall health and reversing age, just like the name conjures up. Most recent studies express that resveratrol accelerates wound healing, boosts the natural skin barrier, slows aging caused by sun damage, and in oral form is cardioprotective and neuroprotective to help support healthy longevity.
Retin-A is probably the most well-known antioxidant for its ability to help address a clear complexion, smaller pores, tighter skin, and reduce wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. Commonly known as tretinoin, this popular anti-aging and antioxidants are a staple for a great skincare routine. However, sometimes Retin-A or Tretinoin can be abrasive and lead to skin flaking, dryness, or irritation, so compliance is not always great with vitamin A products. One way to get the benefits without the side effects or downtime is opting for a medical grade retinol that also contains other hydrators and peptides. This way skin will have all the necessities and a more gentle but still effective version of Retin-A. One example of a natural retinol is bakuchiol, which comes from the babchi plant. Natural retinols are very effective and offer less irritation. Natural retinol popularity and preference is rapidly surpassing traditional retinoids like Tretinoin. So, whether the concern is aging and seeking a more youthful appearance, or you just want healthy skin with less risk for damage or disease, antioxidants are for you!