august 14, 2023, 9:29AM GMT+0200
No matter how faithful we are to our skincare routine, nothing beats the effects of antioxidants in managing skin aging. But there are enough options that it is difficult for us to choose the best solution.
We need antioxidants to protect ourselves from the effects of free radicals, that is, those unstable chemicals that cause cellular damage, leading to disease, infection, malignancy, inflammation and skin aging. Antioxidants help reduce signs of aging by preventing UV damage, help skin self-repair, and brighten skin tone by preventing pigmentation by minimizing sun damage. And there are many ingredients with potential for this, but not all are the same. The good part is that they can be paired, thus enhancing the antioxidant effects. Here are the most popular ones:
Vitamin C
The list of the most effective antioxidant ingredients definitely starts with the famous vitamin C, which has been shown to improve skin tone and texture, hydrate and minimize signs of aging. A favorite of dermatologists, vitamin C is a true scavenger of free radicals, while promoting the stimulation of collagen production (which leaves the skin firmer) and the fading of dark spots. Once it appears on an ingredient label—often as L-ascorbic acid, vitamin C ester, ascorbyl palmitate, sodium ascorbyl phosphate, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, or lipophilic vitamin C—it supports the formula’s effectiveness. Apply in the morning to prevent sun damage and inhibit hyperpigmentation – and must be paired with a sunscreen formula.
Vitamin E
Widely recognized for its ability to speed up the skin’s healing process, 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 stabilize other antioxidants and improve their effectiveness, so it can often appear in combination with vitamin C or resveratrol. Or so it should: Oil-soluble vitamin E works at an even deeper level in the skin than vitamin C—so these two topicals become even more powerful when used in tandem. In addition to helping the skin manage the effects of photodamage, vitamin E strengthens the skin’s barrier when used topically or ingested as a supplement.
Astaxanthin
Astaxanthin is said to have a high chance of dethroning vitamin C. Extracted from a freshwater microalga, classified as a carotenoid, astaxanthin is, according to chemical experts, an antioxidant that has proven beneficial effects in treating joint ailments, boosting immunity, improving brain functions, supporting the cardiovascular system and much more. Antioxidants are undeniably essential in the fight against aging, but is this new discovery so effective that it deserves a place among skin care ingredients? According to Dr. Jaimie Glick, a dermatologist in New York, “astaxanthin can inhibit oxidative stress and prevent cell damage” and “can reverse the effects of UV exposure, reduce wrinkles, and reduce water loss through the epidermis.” Other voices claim that this ingredient would work “only” 6,000 times better than vitamin C in terms of brightness and maintaining optimal skin condition, proving good results in combating acne manifestations as well.
Niacinamide
A form of vitamin B3 also known as ‘nicotinamide’, niacinamide has been used for decades to treat pellagra and repair skin, also showing antioxidant qualities. Due to its ability to calm inflammation, niacinamide can also calm breakouts, improve skin barrier function, and help fight redness. This vitamin is often used to treat skin conditions like rosacea and acne and is not known to cause any side effects, making it ideal for sensitive types. But even more important is the fact that, unlike other active ingredients, niacinamide also works perfectly in combination with other anti-aging ingredients such as retinol and vitamin C, which means that we can at least triple the amount of antioxidants in the service of the skin.
Resveratrol and other polyphenols
Apart from resveratrol (known as the “longevity molecule”) most often associated with grapes/red wine, there are several thousand types of polyphenols found in fruits, vegetables, green or black tea (also called flavonoids) and other botanical substances. Packed with anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and antioxidant properties to prevent UV-induced skin photodamage, they help strengthen our skin’s natural defenses against oxidative stress, prevent signs of aging and repair DNA damage.
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2023-08-15 16:29:10
#effective #antioxidants #skin #care #Forbes.ro
