Chances are, you’re already familiar with the term “antioxidants” especially as it relates to nutrition and the many powerful superfoods we hear about through the media.

You probably know that eating broccoli, blueberries, and drinking green tea is going to give you a boost of nourishing antioxidants but have you considered the positive impact that some of these same antioxidants have on our skin? 

So what exactly are antioxidants and what makes them so beneficial for our skin, and what are the best antioxidants for your skin? Here’s more info from the skin experts at Koru Medical Spa.

What are antioxidants?

Antioxidants are essential to prevent and reduce damage to our body’s cells by neutralizing the production of highly reactive molecules called free radicals. Free radicals can be generated by factors such as diet, sun exposure, air pollution, alcohol intake, tobacco use, and pesticides.

Basically, antioxidants help to protect the structural integrity of cells and tissues by destroying these free radicals! In terms of nutrition, a diet that is chocked full of antioxidants can help significantly reduce the risk of diseases (including heart disease and cancer). 

Why are antioxidants good for the skin?

In the same way that antioxidants help to protect the body from free radical damage, they also help to protect and repair the skin.

The oxidative stress that occurs when free radicals are formed can break down collagen, interrupt the natural skin repair process and trigger unwanted inflammation in the tissue. This all leads to wrinkles, sagging, blotchiness and dullness of the skin.

Antioxidants work to prevent and correct these premature aging signs, brighten dark spots, repair damaged skin and can even help to prevent sun damage by decreasing the inflammatory response to harmful UV rays. 

The best antioxidants for your skin are…

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is the most well known antioxidant for the skin and for a good reason. Vitamin C helps to prevent and treat skin damage from the sun’s harmful UV rays. It’s an antioxidant powerhouse that is known to stimulate collagen production, fade discoloration and hyperpigmentation, smooth out fine lines and wrinkles, reduce inflammation, and moisturize the skin.

The best and most effective way to add vitamin C to your daily routine is by applying a topical medical-grade serum. When choosing the right vitamin C serum for your unique skin, look for the term ascorbic acid (also known as L-ascorbic acid), which is the most stable and effective form of vitamin C in skin care.

To get the best results out of your vitamin C serum, try to find a serum with 20% vitamin C Active Complex combined with a penetrating ascorbate blend, arbutin, emblica, bearberry, and citrus terpenes.

Vitamin A 

Topical Vitamin A (or Retinol) is one of the best known powerhouses for antiaging. It works by creating cellular turnover and repair that can lead to antiaging effects smoothing out fine lines and improving skin tone and discoloration. 

Mana 5x Retinol Repair features All-trans-Retinol, the pure and active form of Vitamin-A, which supports the skin barrier, helps reduce cell turnover, lowers irritation, and diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles all while smoothing and evening the skin.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble nutrient that works as an excellent anti-inflammatory agent in the skin, as several studies have shown its prevention of skin damage after UV exposure. When put on the skin topically, vitamin E can reduce UV-induced skin swelling and other inflammations like atopic dermatitis.

Skin tip: find a sunscreen that features Vitamin E in it, like our Reef Tinted Mineral Sunscreen.

Niacinamide (B3)

Also known as vitamin B3 and nicotinamide, Niacinamide’s benefits the skin in several important ways including: 

• Reducing inflammation. Niacinamide aids in the treatment of many types of inflammatory skin conditions including acne, rosacea, various chronic rashes, skin cancers, etc. 

• Reduces/regulates sebum production which is helpful for those who suffer from acne.

• It can improve skin function by decreasing water loss through the epidermis (the first layer of the skin), resulting in improved skin hydration and skin barrier performance. 

• Improves hyperpigmentation (dark spots) and redness in sun damaged skin.

• Reduces Actinic Keratoses (sun induced precancerous lesions) and decreases the risk of skin cancer. 

Green Tea Polyphenols

Green Tea is one of the most potent antioxidants with a myriad of benefits for the skin! Green tea has high amounts of anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic potential, which can be exploited against a variety of skin disorders.

Major benefits of Green Tea in skincare:  Improves moisture levels with natural Vitamin E and B2, Soothes the skin and reduces redness, Reduces inflammation due to high content of Polyphenols called catechins, Helps prevent skin cancer by promoting DNA repair,  Reduces acne due to its antibacterial properties.

Resveratrol 

Resveratrol is another type of polyphenol, a compound full of potent antioxidants, and is found in food like the skin of red grapes, peanuts, and berries like blueberries and mulberries. Like any antioxidant, resveratrol helps to neutralize free radicals. The major benefits of resveratrol include: reduced fine lines and wrinkles, improved elasticity, calmed inflammation, and less discoloration.

Glutathione 

Glutathione can protect our cells from damage caused by peroxides, pollutants, metals and more, and can improve metabolic energy. The major benefits of glutathione for the skin include: giving the skin an overall brighter appearance, helping to diminish acne scars, evening the skin tone, and reducing blemishes.

We choose supplements based on their safety, absorbability and effectiveness in the body which is why Dr. Spenny suggests a liposomal form of this potent antioxidant and detoxifier. 

Polypodium leucotomos 

A strong antioxidant found in the popular Heliocare, we are excited to now carry Polypodium leucotomos in our Dermal Radiance supplement. This skin specific antioxidant reduces the appearance of wrinkles, supports elastin and collagen, and helps reduce melasma according to some studies. 

add Antioxidants into your skincare routine

Not only are antioxidants extremely important for a balanced healthy body, but adding antioxidants into your skincare routine either topically with products or internally with supplements (or both!) has so many benefits. Not only do antioxidants help to protect the skin from free radical damage, they work hard to repair damage that has already been done and reveal healthy, radiant, glowing skin. Our medical spa professionals can help you find the perfect antioxidant skin care routine!

Sources:

1. Damian DL. Nicotinamide for skin cancer chemoprevention. Australas J Dermatol 2017;58:174–80.

2. Kim B, Halliday GM, Damian DL. Oral nicotinamide and actinic keratosis: a supplement success story. Curr Probl Dermatol 2015; 46: 143–9. DOI: 10.1159/000366550.

3. Bissett DL, Oblong JB, Berge CA. Niacinamide: A B vitamin that improves aging facial skin appearance. Dermatol Surg 2005; 31: 860–5.

4. Surjana D, Halliday GM, Martin AJ, Moloney FJ, Damian DL. Oral nicotinamide reduces actinic keratoses in phase II double-blinded randomized controlled trials. J Invest Dermatol 2012; 132: 1497–500.

5. Draelos ZD, Matsubara A, Zhuang J, et al. The effect of 2% niacinamide on facial sebum production. J Cosmet  Laser Ther 2006; 8: 96–101.