The way to fight free radicals and reactive oxygen species is with antioxidants. An antioxidant is a substance that neutralises free radicals. Specifically, it reduces oxidative damage.
Antioxidants are standard performance ingredients in skin care products. Some are also added to cosmetics to function as a preservative to prevent product spoilage. Vitamin E is an example.
Many fruits and vegetables, and other super foods are natural sources of antioxidants. Antioxidants are also synthetically produced (for example, in supplements).
Why You Need Topical Antioxidants
Diet alone does not provide enough antioxidants for your skin. Antioxidants that you ingest from food or supplements get funnelled to all parts of the body. The skin needs more in the face of a free radical assault (such as exposure to UV). Because free radicals are a never-ending assault, antioxidants are always needed.
Therefore, you need to apply antioxidants topically on the skin to mount an effective defence against free radicals.
There are many antioxidants. The most common are: Vitamins A, C, and E. They are also the most essential.
Popular Antioxidants used in Skin Care;
- Vitamin A (tretinoin, retinol, retinyl palmitate)
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Green & white tea
- Grape (resveratrol)
- Liquorice
- Alpha Lipoic Acid
- Coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinone, Idebenone)
- Ferulic Acid
- Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)
- Beta carotene
- Lycopene
- Superoxide Dismutase
- Glutathione
- Zinc
- Acai
- Pomegranate
- Rosemary
- Turmeric
- Soy isoflavones and many more!
Many fruits, vegetables, herbs, and other plants contain pigments that provide antioxidant protection:
- carotenoids (beta carotene, lutein, lycopene, astaxanthin)
- flavonoids/bioflavonoids
- polyphenols
- curcuminoids
Antioxidants Are Quickly Oxidised By Light & Heat
Oils oxidise quickly so go ransid. Which is why oil should be stored in a dark, cool place away from sunlight? Because sunlight, heat, and oxygen oxidise the fat in the oil.
This can also happen with your skin care products. Once you open a jar or bottle, the antioxidant and lipid ingredients are exposed to oxygen, and the process of oxidation begins. This is why you need to throw out products after a certain period of time. They deteriorate and get rancid.
To help extend the life of your antioxidant products, store them in a dark, cool, dry place.
Antioxidants degrade faster in light.
Also look for products packaged in airless pumps rather than traditional jars or bottles that open with a lid. An airless pump reduces a product’s exposure to oxygen and keeps it fresh longer.
The Strongest Antioxidants Are Unstable
The most powerful antioxidants are difficult to formulate because they are very hard to stabilize. Resveratrol, which is found in grapes, some berries, and Japanese knotweed (Mexican bamboo), is one of them. The higher the antioxidant potential (measured by the ORAC score), the less stable it is in formula.
Essential Antioxidants
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
Highly Recommended Antioxidants
- Resveratrol
- Ergothioneine
Resveratrol night time serum
KEY INGREDIENTS
1% Resveratrol: Derived from the knotweed plant, resveratrol benefits include strengthening skin’s natural antioxidant defense system to help neutralize free radicals
0.5% Baicalin: A flavonoid antioxidant derived from the roots of Baical Skillcap, baicalin is a potent broad spectrum antioxidant
1% Alpha Tocopherol: The most abundant, pure form of vitamin E neutralizes free radicals and replenishes skin’s lipids
This article includes the cult product C E Ferulic by
Skinceuticals - written by Aisling Mc Dermott in The Irish Times.
Six oils and serums to calm and hydrate irritated
and rosacea prone skin
http://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/fashion/beauty/six-oils-and-serums-to-calm-and-hydrate-irritated-and-rosacea-prone-skin-1.2631074#.VyjqHnHWvEM.mailto
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