Whilst you may have heard of antioxidants, you may not be aware of the health benefits they have to offer. What is even less known is their use in skincare and the benefits they can have when applied topically for people suffering various skin conditions and for general skin health. We'll look at how antioxidants can help your skin in this article.
What are Antioxidants?
Antioxidants including vitamins A, C and E can help to neutralise free radicals in the body (produced by oxidation) and prevent some of the damage caused when there is a free radical overload. They can be found in plant foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts as well as some meats and fish. Just like probiotics, they can also be consumed as a supplement.
Antioxidants vs probiotics in skincare - both these skin loving ingredients can be beneficial for the skin.
How are Antioxidants Used in Skincare? 
Antioxidants neutralise free radicals that can cause damage to your skin. Free radicals are produced naturally by our skin but they also come from environmental factors such as pollution, cigarette smoke and UV rays. Antioxidants have the power to not only protect your skin from damage from free radicals, but some antioxidants can also:
- Brighten your skin
- Reduce inflammation
- Firm skin
- Be useful in treating scars
- Help to repair sun damage
- Reducing the appearance of wrinkles
Look out for the following antioxidants that can be applied topically to help benefit your skin in several ways:
Vitamin C
Sometimes referred to as L-ascorbic acid, this antioxidant has a load of superpowers. It can boost collagen production to tighten fine lines, smooth uneven skin and is powerful in hydrating, brightening and calming your skin. You can find the powers of this antioxidant in AMPERNA® Pro+ Vitamin C Hyaluronic Serum
Green tea
People suffering with rosacea, psoriasis, sensitive skin, and even acne may find the polyphenols found in green tea help to reduce inflammation and accelerate healing.
Whilst it is well known that drinking green tea is packed full of antioxidants and is a key component to an anti-inflammatory diet, it is not the only source. You can also find green tea in moisturisers and serums that you can topically apply as part of your skin care routine. It is often described as camellia sinensis leaf extract in the list of ingredients.
Niacinamide
Niacinamide, a form of vitamin B-3, is an essential nutrient. When applied topically, niacinamide may help skin conditions such as acne and eczema. It features in the AMPERNA® range and the key benefits of this nutrient are helping to regulate the amount of oil the sebaceous glands produce, building proteins, locking in moisture, minimising the appearance of pores and dark spots.
Vitamin A
Often referred to as retinol, which is concentrated vitamin A, this antioxidant is well known for its ability to smooth fine lines, brighten skin, help to reduce the appearance of scars and dark marks, and help to reduce acne.
For people with sensitive skin, it is recommended that vitamin C is avoided when using retinol as the combination can cause irritation.
Reference sources:
https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/niacinamide#benefits
https://www.marieclaire.com/beauty/a22370309/antioxidants-skin-benefits/
https://answerthepublic.com/reports/8e59e041-e058-4900-9a2e-42fb81b53835
