Antioxidants

What is an antioxidant?

Antioxidant is a substance that inhibits oxidation and removes the damaging effects of an oxidising agent. Antioxidants donate electrons to free radicals reducing the reactivity of free radicals.

Antioxidants in skin care are considered work horses. They scavenge free radicals to promote healthy skin processes. Antioxidants protect, prevent and limit free radical damage. Every antioxidant behaves differently due to its unique chemical property.

What are free radicals?

To properly understand what a free radical is a little basic chemistry knowledge is assumed.

Atoms surround electrons which orbit the atom in layers called shells. Each shell must contain an exact number of electrons. If an atom has a shell which is not filled it may bond with another atom to complete the shells number of electrons. These atoms are known as free radicals. Free radicals are unstable and in an effort to correct their lacking electrons react quickly with other substances.

What is oxidative stress?

Is an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants. Oxidative stress can lead to cell and tissue damage. If the body loses its ability to fight free radicals the result is even more free radicals resulting in more oxidative stress and more damage to cells which can lead to degeneration or ageing.

What accelerates free radical production?

Exposure to toxic chemicals, smoking, alcohol and unhealthy food.

What antioxidants can be found in skincare?

• Vitamin A: part of the retinoid family which can stimulate collagen production and fight free radical damage. Retinoids are known to speed up cell turn over resulting in changes in the signs of ageing. Vitamin A is also useful in the treatment of acne, texture and pigmentation.
• Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide): acts as an anti-inflammatory which works well for acne and rosacea prone skin. It also can boost the efficacy of other anti-oxidants. Niacinamide also has hydration and brightening properties.
• Vitamin C: works as both a free radical scavenger but also a known skin brightener. It has a similar property to Vitamin A and that it can result in collagen stimulation. Vitamin C can become unstable quickly resulting in a reduction in efficacy. Vitamin C should be stored in a cool, dark place unexposed to direct sunlight.
• Vitamin E: helps to heal the skin. Vitamin E can often be found in occlusive vehicles so patients susceptible to breakout may find that Vitamin E worsens skin.
• Green Tea Extract: is full of plant polyphenols which can boost the skins immunity, help fight inflammation and can assist with lessening the effects of sun damage.
• Resveratrol: helps to protect the skin’s barrier functions, fights the ageing processes and also acts as an anti-microbial