The Benefits of Antioxidants in Skin Care
by Debra Myers
Today in skin care there are lots of products touting the benefits of antioxidants. With all the hype, we’ve been asked the question; What are antioxidants and do skin care products that contain them provide benefits?
First let’s talk about what antioxidants do. Antioxidants are free radical hunters and neutralizers. Free Radicals are not a Punk band from the 80’s but are the unstable chemical substances in our bodies that damage our cells causing them to oxidize; they are generated during normal bodily processes and are also caused by air pollution, processed foods, radiation and chemicals. When our cells begin to oxidize they mimic the oxidization a piece of fruit goes through when it is cut and exposed to the air. The fruit begins to turn brown and lose vital moisture. In comparison our skin begins to thin, wrinkles appear and it too loses its moisture balance.
Antioxidants can prevent and even reverse cell damage by free radicals and that is why they are so important in natural and organic skin care products. There are many natural antioxidants such as vitamins A, C and E, pomegranate, acai, manganese, and zinc. Clinical tests have shown that applying antioxidants through the skin, especially vitamins C and E, as well as alpha lipoic acid have protective effects against free radical damage that occur in our daily lives.
A few beneficial antioxidant ingredients:
L-Absorbic Acid (Vitamin C) is a powerful antioxidant and is best when applied to the skin as a serum. In order for the serum or cream to provide real benefits the concentration should be at least 10% but the higher the concentration, the more effective it will be. I love Mychelle Vitamin C Serum because it is a 17% concentration. A few others that deserve mention, Super C by Ann Webb and Couperose C-Serum by Eminence Organics.
Açaí (ah-sigh-ee), a super food/ fruit from the Rainforest, is packed full of antioxidants, amino acids and essential fatty acids. It has 30 times the amount of anti-oxidants as red wine, contains Omega 3,6, and 9, Calcium, and essential amino acids. Wow - not bad for one little berry! Must have antioxidant-rich products: Enfusia’s Organic Pomegranate Berry Body Lotion with Acai, Vanilla Acai by Ann Webb (for face).
Alpha Lipoic Acid is not only an antioxidant but helps the skin with firmness and texture. There have been multiple clinical studies on this wonderful ingredient and I encourage you to do some of your own research. Products I like, Rosa Mosqueta by Aubrey Organics, Organic Day Cream by Reviva and Green Apple Antioxidant Serum by Juice Beauty.
The bottom line is that every little bit we can do to help slow down the aging process the better. We want to eat right, exercise avoid processed foods and, yes, use skin care products with antioxidants.
January 10th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Very informative.