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A few years ago, antioxidants were considered an exclusive component of anti-age cosmetics. But now (hooray!) It is already clear that these substances help solve a variety of skin problems at any age.
What are Antioxidants
Antioxidant activity is characteristic of many substances, although not to the same extent. Some of the antioxidants are synthesized in the human body, some comes from food, as well as from cosmetic and medicinal products, if we are talking about the skin.
Antioxidants are introduced into cosmetic formulas to protect the skin from oxidative stress
Given the unfavorable environmental situation, today it is recommended to take antioxidants in the form of supplements. The dosage is selected individually, depending on the needs of the body and lifestyle.
Antioxidants can be divided into several groups.
enzymes
More than others, coenzyme (coenzyme) Q10 is heard. It was with his discovery that the triumphal procession of antioxidants in biomedicine began.
Vitamins
These “substances of life” also turned out to be antioxidants. The most famous and powerful are vitamins A, C, E, K, provitamins A (carotenes).
Polyphenols
Often found in plants:
resveratrol obtained from dark grapes;
tannins – from green tea;
anthocyanins – from red berries.
The great diversity is explained by the fact that many plants, in order to protect themselves from adverse conditions in the process of evolution, have developed unique substances endowed with antioxidant activity. Hence these amazing names: Baikalin, curcumin.
Minerals
One of the most powerful antioxidants selenium. It is part of selenoproteins with antioxidant and antiviral activity and protects cell membranes from the damaging effects of free radicals.
Hormones
Melatonin, some steroids, vitamin D (which acts both as a vitamin and as a hormone in the body) also have antioxidant properties, although this is not their main function.
Some antioxidants are active in the aquatic environment, some – in the fat. The latter are just involved in protecting the lipid membranes of cells, including the skin.
How do they work on the skin?
As a barrier organ, the skin is the first to be attacked by free radicals. Fortunately, most antioxidants are highly effective when used externally. Most often they act in a complex way:
on the one hand, they neutralize the action of oxidizing agents, block (or reduce) oxidative stress;
on the other hand, they rush to eliminate the effects of stress – they stimulate the skin’s ability to heal itself.
Antioxidants in facial care products help:
support the process of cellular renewal, maintain skin elasticity and slow down the appearance of wrinkles;
cleanse the skin from acne;
heal the scalp in seborrhea;
restore the immunity of skin prone to pigmentation;
return healthy complexion;
mitigate the influence of the external environment (e.g. low temperatures) and exposure to UV rays
restore the skin after burns, and not only solar;
accelerate healing microinflammation and microtrauma.
Take our quiz and find out which vitamins your skin needs.
Antioxidants in cosmetics
The most popular in the beauty industry are vitamins and polyphenols: the effectiveness of their external use has been proven by scientific research. The top parade is led by:
vitamins C, E, A;
provitamins A (beta-carotene, proretinol, lycopene);
plant extracts: baicalin, resveratrol, tannin, rose extract;
stimulators of the skin’s own antioxidant protection – selenium, magnesium and some other trace elements.
Many antioxidants work well together and even have a synergistic effect, that is, they enhance the action of each other. This ability is also used in cosmetics.
Despite promising results, the use of hormones and hormone-like substances in cosmetics is prohibited.
Rules for the use of products with antioxidants
“There is no ideal age to use antioxidant products,” says Elena Eliseeva, Vichy medical expert. It’s nearly impossible to start too early.
Cosmetic bag with antioxidants should be used from childhood
For example, vitamin E and centella asiatica extract may appear in sunscreens for young skin. Not to smooth out wrinkles (there are none yet), but to protect against free radicals, the appearance of which provokes hyperinsolation.
A teenager will opt for a zinc and green tea treatment to reduce oily skin and prevent lipid oxidation and blackheads.
It is recommended to look for a cream with antioxidant components and carefully study its composition from the age of 25: this is the right time to start preventive anti-aging skin care.”
Regardless of the presence or absence of antioxidants in cosmetics, the main rule is to choose it according to the type and needs of the skin.
The peculiarity of antioxidant creams and serums is that antioxidants do not accumulate in the skin. They are spent non-stop and we need them all the time.
Many antioxidants, such as most forms of vitamin C are destroyed in the light and on contact with atmospheric oxygen. Therefore, recently, cosmetics with this component have been produced in sealed, light-tight packaging.
Like all active ingredients, antioxidants are differently tolerated by the skin, so a new product must first test.
In sunny time years after using, in particular, antioxidant serums, it is important to apply a product with SPF.
Review of cosmetics with antioxidants
Antioxidant Sunscreens
| Name | Antioxidants in the composition | Action |
| Sublime Sun Extra Protection Face Sunscreen, SPF 50, L’Oréal Paris | vitamin E and jasmine extract | Protects the skin from photoaging. |
| Spray Veil Capital Idéal Soleil, SPF 50, Vichy | vitamin E | Protects the skin from harmful radiation and moisturizes. Suitable for body and face, as well as for the most sensitive skin. |
| Anthelios Facial Fluid, SPF 50+, La Roche-Posay | selenium, vitamin E | Enhances protection against UV and the effects of sun exposure. The product is not felt on the skin and is stable: the sun protection effect lasts for 6 hours. |
Creams with antioxidants
| Name | Composition | Action |
| Botanic Cream “Rose Water”, Garnier | vegetable oils rich in vitamin E, plant extracts | Moisturizes, softens the skin, improves its elasticity. |
| A series of creams “Age Expert”, L’Oréal Paris | vitamin E, vitalin (opuntia extract), rich in vitamins and other antioxidants | A series of creams provides daily care: day, night, for the area around the eyes – and meets the specific needs of the skin in different age categories: 45+, 55+, 65+. |
| Regenerating cream Rosa Arctica, Kiehl’s | arctic rose and white birch extracts | Restores the skin, strengthens the protective barrier. |
Antioxidant Serums
| Name | Composition | Action |
| Extraordinary Facial Oil “Luxury Nutrition”, L’Oréal Paris | 8 essential oils and jojoba, rosehip oils | Fills the skin with a healthy glow, restores and nourishes. Apply 2-3 drops of the product to cleansed skin before the usual care. |
| Antioxidant youth concentrate LiftActiv, Vichy | high concentration of vitamin C (15%), pine polyphenols, vitamin E, hyaluronic acid | Apply a few drops once daily to cleansed skin. Be sure to use sunscreen during the summer. |
| antioxidant serum for oily and normal skin Phloretin CF, SkinCeuticals | vitamin C, ferulic acid, phloretin | Protects against photoaging, visibly improves the condition of the skin, including oily and acne-prone. |
Masks with antioxidants
| Name | Composition | Action |
| Sheet mask “Aqua Bomba”, Garnier | hyaluronic acid, pomegranate juice | Intensively and quickly moisturizes and refreshes the skin. |
| Purifying Mattifying Mask Effaclar, La Roche-Posay | clay, selenium, vitamin E | Controls the production of sebum, reduces oily sheen, visually tightens pores. Apply 1-2 times per week, avoiding eye and lip area, leave for 5 minutes, then rinse. |
| Night mask to eliminate signs of fatigue énergie de Vie, Lancôme | extracts of lemon balm, cranberry, ginseng | Moisturizes the skin and makes it radiant, fights dullness, eliminates signs of fatigue. Apply 2 times a week for 10 minutes, remove excess with a cotton pad or rub into the skin. Can be used as an SOS tool at any time of the day. |