Antioxidants in Skincare Products

Let's face it, you're a busy man with too much on your plate already. You know you should have a skincare routine, but it's hard to find one that's right for you and every bottle and article seems to suggest something different. You want to take care of yourself and to like the way you look in the mirror, but what's the real deal behind all these different ingredients? Are antioxidants really all they're cracked up to be and will the make a difference to you and your skin? The answer is yes!

What is an Antioxidant?

So, what, exactly, IS an antioxidant? Antioxidants are sometimes called "free-radical scavengers" because they prevent or slow the damage to cells caused by free radicals and unstable molecules which the body produces in response to the environment and other pressures such as stress. They can either be produced naturally in plants or vegetables as well as within your own body, or artificially.

When your body has an imbalance of free radicals and antioxidants you can find yourself with Oxidative Stress, which has been linked to

  • Diabetes
  • Atherosclerosis - The hardening of the blood vessels
  • Inflammatory Conditions
  • High Blood Pressure or Hypertension
  • Heart Disease
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases including Parkinson's and Alzheimer's
  • Certain kinds of Cancer

Why Skincare?

By now, these antioxidants are probably sounding pretty good to you. But you may have noticed, nothing on that list mentions skincare or skin health. So, why do you need antioxidants in your skincare routine?

Well, those same free radicals that are damaging cells inside your body, are also doing it externally with your skin cells. When free radicals steal electrons from your skin cells and give you that delicate imbalance that leads to oxidative stress, that leads to premature aging and can trigger inflammatory conditions such as:

  • Eczema
  • Acne
  • Skin Cancer

Of course, antioxidants also help fight one of the biggest dangers to your skin that science knows of, the sun. When your skin is damaged by free radicals, it becomes weakened and the sun's harsh rays provide a greater risk. We all know you should wear sunscreen whenever you are outside in the sun but adding an antioxidant serum to the mix will provided enhanced protection from burns and damage.

And that, my friends, is why you need antioxidants in your skincare routine. Antioxidants give back the electrons to your skin cells which free radicals have been stealing, the balance is restored, and while you can't stop aging completely, you can slow the progression.