What Do Antioxidants Do?
An antioxidant is a molecule that inhibits the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that transfers electrons or hydrogen from a substance to an oxidizing agent. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals. In turn, these radicals can start chain reactions. When the chain reaction occurs in a cell, it can cause damage or death to the cell. Antioxidants terminate these chain reactions by removing free radical intermediates, and inhibit other oxidation reactions. They do this by being oxidized themselves, so antioxidants are often reducing agents. Antioxidants are in foods, industrial products, and skincare items.
In terms of skincare, antioxidants help reduce free radicals that cause damage to your skin cells. This includes daily stress factors—sun, smoke, dirt, etc. Additionally, by being stabilized and adding in additional properties—like Ferulic Acid—antioxidants actually make your sunscreens work better by reducing UV radiation which causes skin damage. Many over-the-counter and makeup counter products that contain antioxidants are not stabilized, meaning the effective properties actually leave the product when it is exposed to the air and the antioxidants aren’t absorbed by the skin. This is why some antioxidant products are ineffective!
The best antioxidants contain multiple ingredients in stabilized formulas. The best of the best are made by SkinCeuticals, a company that scientifically proves the effects of their products. The top selling antioxidants are CE Ferulic and Phloretin CF, which are serum formulations, and they have recently created Phloretin CF Gel, which is a more moisturizing gel formulation. The video below explains the importance of antioxidants and how they work in conjunction with sunscreens to improve your skin and your ability to protect damage.
