Antioxidants & Skin Health, Part 2 of 3: Topical Antioxidants
Moving into part 2 of this series on antioxidants and skin health, this article focuses on topical antioxidant products. If you missed part 1 about antioxidants from foods and supplements, you can read it here.
Personal Recap:
I am a big fan of antioxidants. I first started studying them in greater depth while writing my mold detox book, The Ultimate Guide To Toxic Mold Recovery.
I was so fascinated to learn how antioxidants work. I went on to read a couple books on antioxidants, by favorite being The Antioxidant Miracle by Packer and Colman.
I happened to find an antioxidant-based skincare line at my local natural grocery, Derma-E. I’ve been using their products for a few years. I love that Derma-E is a long-standing, antioxidant-focused product, and I love that it’s very affordable.
So in this blog, I’ll present a bit about topical antioxidants and some of the products available to you. (I’m now a Derma-E ambassador.)
Topical Antioxidant Products
Topical skin care products do work, but perhaps not in the way you think. I feel like skin care products are advertised in a way that suggests they penetrate the skin.
But applying skin care products topically leaves them on the epidermis- the outermost layer of skin. However there is some benefit to adding antioxidants (or other elements) at this layer.
Common Topical Antioxidants and Their Benefits
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid):
Brightens the skin
Reduces hyperpigmentation
Boosts collagen production
“Vitamin C acts as a co-factor for the proline and lysine hydroxylases that stabilise the collagen molecule tertiary structure, and it also promotes collagen gene expression.”(source)
Vitamin E (Tocopherol):
Moisturizes and nourishes the skin
Enhances the efficacy of other antioxidants like Vitamin C
Protects against UV damage
“When formulated correctly and at a high enough concentration, vitamins C and E are more protective when applied topically to the skin than if taken orally.” (source)
Niacinamide (Vitamin B3):
Improves skin elasticity
Enhances the skin barrier
Reduces redness and blotchiness
Retinol (Vitamin A):
Promotes cell turnover
Reduces fine lines and wrinkles
Improves skin texture and tone
Coenzyme Q10 (Ubiquinone):
Energizes skin cells
Reduces fine lines and wrinkles
Protects against UV damage
Polyphenols:
Polyphenols from things like green tea, grapes and pomegranate can be anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and UV protective.
“Experimental studies have shown that at topical application, polyphenols can combat some clinical and histological changes in the epidermis and dermis induced by exposure to UV radiation and chronological aging.” (source)
How to Incorporate Topical Antioxidants into Your Skincare Routine
Cleanser: Use a gentle cleanser to remove impurities without stripping the skin of its natural oils.
I have been enjoying the Vitamin C Gentle Daily Cleansing Paste with turmeric.
Antioxidant Serum: Apply a serum containing antioxidants like Vitamin C or niacinamide after cleansing and before moisturizing.
I am a fan of Ultra Lift DMAE Concentrated Serum for gentle toning of the skin texture- includes resveratrol.
Moisturizer: Use a moisturizer that includes antioxidants like Vitamin E or Coenzyme Q10 to nourish and protect the skin.
As our skin gets older, it actually gets drier due to declining muscle tone. Peptide moisturizers are my go-to for deep moisturization. Try Advanced Peptides & Flora Collagen Moisturizer.
Sunscreen: Always apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher during the day, as antioxidants work synergistically with sunscreens to provide enhanced protection against UV damage.
Derma-E offers several options, but I wanted to highlight their handy tinted mineral powder with SPF 30 that you can brush out before you go out. I want to try next their LightweightLightweight SPF 45 lotionSPF 45 lotion.
If you want to try some products with less investment, Derma-E offers several sample-sized items. You can also save 10% with my code BRIDGIT10.
Conclusion
By integrating topical antioxidants into your daily skincare routine, you can help protect your skin from environmental stressors, maintain a youthful appearance, and promote overall skin health.
Thank you for learning about antioxidants with me and checking out one of my fave brands, Derma-E!
