The reason we love antioxidants (the magical thing found in blueberries, raspberries and green tea) so much? They protect our skin from harmful environmental aggressors and free radicals. To give you a refresh, free radicals are unstable atoms that cause damage to our cells, resulting in illness and ageing. And that’s the last thing we want!
Take a look at your current skincare routine: Are there enough antioxidants within your products to take care of your skin? If not, don’t worry, we’ll give you a breakdown of the main ones, along with their benefits and recommendations to get your skin looking as healthy as possible.
Vitamin C
We don’t like having favourites, but vitamin C is certainly one of the most powerful antioxidants with many accolades under her belt, namely, fighting against pigmentation and ageing. It brightens the skin and evens skin tone, giving it radiance when it’s experiencing bouts of dullness. Our suggestion? Use it with other ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and peptides. Avoid using it with retinol and if you’re using AHAs and BHAs. This serum from Kiehl’s works wonders on darkness under the eye area.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A, aka vitamin (A)nti-ageing, is primarily known for its ability to make us look younger by stimulating collagen production and softening fine lines, wrinkles and crow’s feet. It helps reduce hyperpigmentation and other forms of sun damage. If you have issues with acne or acne scarring, this antioxidant should be your go-to. Vitamin A encompasses a group of chemically related organic compounds that include the likes of retinol and retinoic acid that we know so well. Use the night-time moisturiser below by applying a pea-sized amount to your skin, avoiding your eyes for the first two weeks. Remember to limit sun exposure and to apply SPF 50 every day to protect the skin. After two weeks, you can apply a regular amount. It’s normal to experience temporary flaking, mild redness and warm tingling sensations.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is known to intensely moisturise the skin and has a multitude of other properties too. It strengthens the barrier of the skin, heals and assists with the calming of inflammation and is just an overall brilliant antioxidant that you want in your skincare corner. Placecol’s Vitamin E Silk is for those wanting to give their skin an extra hydration and rejuvenation boost. It also helps with fine lines and wrinkles.
Hyaluronic Acid
Our love for hyaluronic acid is quite something and we know a lot of you share the same feeling. It draws hydration into the skin, kicks free radicals to the curb and leaves your skin in tip-top shape once used. It also increases cell turnover and heals and creates a wonderful plumping effect that makes your fine lines and wrinkles a distant memory. HA defends the skin without any side effects, just a gorgeous, glowing complexion. *orders in bulk*
Niacinamide & Zinc
This lightweight water-based serum is a double whammy, containing two fabulous antioxidants: niacinamide (aka vitamin B3) and zinc. These two ingredients are a force to be reckoned with when it comes to dull, rough-textured skin, as it boosts brightness, strengthens the skin’s barrier and leaves it feeling silky smooth. Use after cleansing in the morning and before bedtime.
