The Power of Antioxidants in Skin Health

If there was an A to Z skincare guide on the best skin-healthy ingredients, antioxidants would take the crowning glory. Aside from its first alphabetical place, A-ntioxidants offer A-plus anti-aging benefits. These all-stars ward off the harmful effects of free radicals, which slows down the aging process.

Since these semi- sun-shielders behave like the protective abilities of sunscreens, they have surged in popularity in skincare products as a double shield to help combat the signs of aging and protect skin from sun damage.

Let’s explore the benefits of antioxidants for skin health, and dive deep into every antioxidant from A (as in vitamin A) to Z (as in zinc). Plus, we’ll highlight the best products that spotlight this powerful ingredient. So, let’s get started on our antioxidant adventures!

Antioxidants are all-around health superstars, and that’s no secret. Whether it’s sipping on a fresh berry smoothie, or upping your OJ intake with vitamin C as a cold buster in winter, we’re more than a little impressed and reliant on their health-boosting benefits. Luckily for us, there are thousands of antioxidant-rich foods available to us from super fruits and green leafy vegetables to red wine and green tea. So, it’s important to eat the rainbow when it comes to fruits and veggies.

Though antioxidants are actually a range of different molecules found in plant-based foods, they all have one thing in common: they can neutralize free radicals at a molecular level. Antioxidants work by neutralizing these unstable molecules, preventing them from causing further damage to the skin. They can donate an electron to the free radicals, stabilizing them and reducing their reactivity. This process breaks the destructive chain reaction caused by free radicals and helps protect the skin's cells from oxidative stress.

Antioxidants play an important role on a cellular level. But like many things in science, it’s hard to appreciate the value of certain mechanisms until we see their “big picture” effect. And with antioxidants, the “big picture” effect is pretty versatile, especially when it comes to their benefits for the skin.

Anti-Aging Benefits
When free radical damage happens, the stress leads to collagen in the skin breaking down, which impairs the skin’s natural repair response and prompts inflammation. This is a major factor that can lead to wrinkles, fine lines, and loose, sagging skin. Antioxidants help by scavenging these free radicals, which keep the skin looking radiant and youthful.

Repair Benefits
When inflammation is triggered in the skin, the natural cell turnover process is hindered. Since antioxidants help prevent and reduce inflammation, they help the skin properly repair itself while correcting visible signs of damage. Some antioxidants, such as vitamin C, can even stimulate collagen production.

Sun Damage Prevention
If we haven’t already made it clear, antioxidants are, by nature, anti-inflammatory. They’re able to dampen the skin’s inflammatory response to not only free radical damage but also sun damage. In other words, antioxidants can help prevent sunburn and photodamage. However, it’s still important that you wear sunscreen daily.

Brightening Benefits
Exposure to UV rays and free radicals can trigger the production of melanin, which can lead to hyperpigmentation in the skin. By preventing sun damage, antioxidants help prevent hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone, while promoting radiance overall.

Inflammation Reduction
As we have mentioned, free radicals cause damage to the body, including skin cells, and can lead to inflammation and other conditions. With its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial qualities, antioxidants work like tiny warriors, fighting off these culprits and reducing the inflammation caused by acne, rosacea, eczema, and other skin conditions.

When it comes to skincare, the role of antioxidants extends these overall health benefits to the specific needs of our skin. They are a cornerstone of effective skincare, playing a vital role in the fight against skin damage and premature aging.

Integrating antioxidants in skincare formulations can enhance their effectiveness and potency while neutralizing free radicals, reducing inflammation, and repairing skin cells for healthier, more youthful skin. Right there puts the A-plus and, plus in the powers of antioxidants!

Common antioxidants found in skincare products include vitamins C and E, resveratrol, niacinamide, and green tea extracts like epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) among others. Moreover, different antioxidants serve unique functions. For instance, vitamin C is known for its brightening properties and ability to boost collagen production, leading to more radiant and firmer skin. Vitamin E, on the other hand, is a great moisturizer and helps with wound healing.

Antioxidants can be found in a wide range of different skincare products, but it’s hard to shop for antioxidant-rich skincare when you don’t know what to look for. That’s why we came up with this quick guide to antioxidants in skincare! As you’ll find below, there is practically an antioxidant for every skincare concern.

Vitamin E
Vitamin E-xcellent is found in nuts and seeds, like almonds and sunflower seeds. Vitamin E is not only helpful but essential for proper skin function; so much so, that we often refer to it as a building block for skin. Vitamin E is highly praised because it is healing, naturally anti-inflammatory, and ultra-moisturizing for the skin. Vitamin E also helps to fortify our skin’s barrier and of course, helps to fight free radicals that cause constant damage.

EGCG
Epigallocatechin, often referred to as “EGCG,” is an antioxidant found in green tea and matcha, and it’s known for not only its anti-inflammatory properties but also for its ability to prevent the development of acne in the skin. EGCG provides a myriad of benefits for the complexion, including firming, clearing, and tightening skin. This protective antioxidant calms irritation stimulates circulation for a brighter complexion and supports collagen for more youthful skin.

Vitamin C
A crown jewel among skincare staples, vitamin C is one of the most heavily documented antioxidants on the market. Glow, radiance, shine – whatever you call this coveted effect, vitamin C is the key to achieving it. While we think of vitamin C as the glow vitamin, this nutrient just happens to be one of the more powerful antioxidants out there. It fights the good fight against UV damage by blasting away age spots, dark spots, and other forms of hyperpigmentation.

Vitamin C can’t literally produce collagen in your skin. What it will do is help support collagen production by defending your skin’s existing stores, along with its process of regenerating and restoring cells. Anytime you use vitamin C, you make a huge deposit in your forever young savings account. Cha-ching!

PRO-TIP: There are different forms of vitamin C found throughout skincare, including ascorbic acid (high in acidity) and magnesium ascorbyl phosphate (lower in acidity). It’s important to find out which form of vitamin C works best for your skin type and concerns.

Grape Seed
Grape seed doesn’t beat around the bush when it comes to fighting oxidation. It may be one of the strongest antioxidants out there for skin care. Softening and highly moisturizing, grape seed contains some of the same benefits as our famous friend vitamin C. This extract helps with achieving an even complexion, fighting both scars and sun damage at once.

Resveratrol
Sometimes dubbed the “longevity molecule,” resveratrol is notably packed with anti-aging properties. Typically found in the skin of dark fruits like wine grapes and berries, this antioxidant is known to possess anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. These properties can help soothe the skin, slow down signs of aging, and may even prevent the onset of infection.

Retinol
Naturally found in carrots and dark, leafy greens, you might be familiar with one of the more famous forms of vitamin A: retinol. If there’s one tried and true ingredient you should have in your beauty arsenal, retinol is going to be your very best skincare friend. Retinol is especially helpful for hitting “reset” on the skin by encouraging a more rapid rate of cell turnover. When applied topically, retinol helps boost collagen production, which can diminish signs of fine lines and wrinkles.

Healthy skin can make all the difference in how you present yourself to the world. But when it comes to caring for your skin, not all products have your best interest at heart. At 100% PURE, we believe in producing the purest, healthiest products with the best natural ingredients that you can incorporate into your skincare routines for increased results and better overall health – and antioxidants are no exception too!

Our antioxidant-rich formulations prioritize using ingredients derived from super fruits like berries and plant-derived vegetables down to nuts and teas. These skin-loving products are free from synthetic chemicals, artificial fragrances, parabens, sulfates, and other potentially harmful substances commonly found in conventional skincare products – plus they’re both effective and gentle on the skin.

While you could easily spot antioxidants in nearly every skincare or makeup product we make, we’re going to focus on several of our favorites! Whether you want to prevent further signs of aging or just maintain that youthful glow, an antioxidant-rich product can be the key to your skincare success.

#1: Multi-Vitamin + Antioxidant PM Serum

Experience the power of stabilized vitamins as they work together to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, boost firmness and elasticity, and brighten skin tone. Our unique formulation combines two anti-aging superstars, niacinamide and vitamin C, which are typically incompatible due to their different pH levels.

With the use of magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, the highest quality and most stable form of vitamin C, we’ve achieved a pH balance of 6, allowing for a harmonious blend of these powerful vitamins to rejuvenate your complexion and reveal a youthful, glowing appearance. A holy grail for most skin types, this potent antioxidant serum packs a serious punch thanks to the active ingredients in the formula:

Coenzyme Q10 – CoQ10 is a major antioxidant for anti-aging, helping to boost collagen, reduce fine lines, and lighten hyperpigmentation.

Retinol – Retinol also helps to stabilize sebum production, minimize breakouts, and deliver smoother, more radiant skin through cellular renewal.

Niacinamide – This gentle yet powerful antioxidant works to balance oil, smooth pores, and fight signs of UV damage.

#2: Vitamin C Concentrated Boost

Want to make quick work of acne marks, excess oil, or lackluster skin? This potent powdered serum is best for combo, oily, and normal skin types. It delivers a maximum dose of ultra-transformative vitamin C, to slough away dead skin on the surface while improving the appearance of damaged or scarred skin.

This potent treatment packs a serious punch thanks to the active ingredients in the formula:

Vitamin C – The C-elebrity of anti-aging antioxidants, vitamin C gives us all the glow we could ever need. It turns over dead skin cells and reduces discoloration on the surface. Supporting a boost in collagen as well, this namesake ingredient sets the skin up for a red-carpet glow.

Hyaluronic Acid – This ultra-hydrating ingredient behaves like an antioxidant, replenishing the skin’s moisture by drawing in 1,000x its weight in hydration.

#3: Niacinamide Concentrated Boost

For all skin types – but especially beneficial for oily complexions – niacinamide is another antioxidant that maintains the skin’s youth by keeping the skin firm and flexible. This dynamo ingredient has it out for dark spots and makes quick work of discoloration. Supporting dramatically improved skin – from large pores and acne scarring to sagging and fine lines – this boost promotes a more stunning complexion with each use.

Niacinamide – This gentle yet powerful antioxidant works to balance oil, smooth pores, and tone and firm skin.

Hyaluronic Acid – This ultra-hydrating ingredient behaves like an antioxidant, encouraging collagen production and improving skin hydration.

#4: Green Tea EGCG Concentrate Serum

This fruity serum is heavenly with a lightweight texture that befriends even the oiliest of skin. Antioxidants are loaded into acai, goji berry, and avocado oil, amongst a host of other ingredients. Your skin will leave this serum party feeling protected from UV damage, with an extra bounce as the yerba mate in the formula helps with firmness and elasticity. This potent antioxidant serum packs a serious punch thanks to the active ingredients in the formula:

Green Tea & EGCG – Together this power couple fights inflammation, dryness, and puffiness. Fighting sun damage and acne, green tea and EGCG may be some of the most impactful antioxidants for all skin types.

Acai – A favorite antioxidant in both our diets and skin regimens, acai helps to restore and nourish the skin. Loaded with nutrients like A, B, C, and E vitamins, acai can boost brightness and support our skin’s collagen production.

Hyaluronic Acid – This ultra-hydrating ingredient behaves like an antioxidant, replenishing the skin’s moisture by drawing in 1,000x its weight in hydration.

#5: Vitamin C Serum

Revitalize your skin with our lightweight Vitamin C Serum, a vegan and natural solution that promotes collagen production and brightens your complexion. Formulated with hydrating aloe gel and infused with green apple and grape extracts, this serum is also enriched with alpha lipoic acid (ALA) to safeguard against oxidative damage that can accelerate aging and discoloration.

Experience our serum's soothing and firming benefits for a noticeably radiant glow. This lightweight, fast-absorbing serum allows you to get your daily dose of antioxidants while balancing your skin. Great for even sensitive skin types, here’s how a serum like this can transform the skin:

Vitamin C – The glow-getter of anti-aging antioxidants, vitamin C gives us all the glow goddess vibes we could ever need. It turns over dead skin cells and reduces discoloration on the surface. Supporting a boost in collagen as well, this namesake ingredient sets the skin up for a red-carpet glow.

Vitamin E – The key to continually moisturized skin, vitamin E is known to hydrate and repair damaged skin. It fortifies our skin’s protective barrier against the effects of UV damage.

Alpha Lipoic Acid – Naturally sourced from yams, beets, and tomatoes, this anti-aging antioxidant makes quick works of fine lines and enlarged pores. It helps to rid our skin of free radicals for a smoother and more radiant complexion.

Before diving into which antioxidant-rich product you should use based on your skin type, it’s essential to learn how and when to use these powerful formulas. The key to getting the most benefit from these products is to use them correctly.

#1. Start by cleansing your skin thoroughly and patting it dry.

#2. Then, apply a small amount of the antioxidant-rich product of your choice to your face, using gentle circular motions to ensure even coverage.

#3. For best results, use the antioxidant product daily, and be sure to follow up with your favorite moisturizer.

Ideally, you should use an antioxidant serum every morning to help your skin defend against these elements before heading out for the day. With consistent use, you'll notice visible improvements in your skin, including a more even tone, improved texture, and reduced signs of aging.

#4. Additionally, layering on sun protection can enhance the antioxidant product’s protective benefits.

Now that we have learned how to incorporate antioxidant-rich products into your daily skincare routine, it’s essential to understand the basic categories of skin types, their characteristics, and how these distinctions can guide your skincare choices. These categories broadly include sensitive, combination, oily, and dry skin.

Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin can react adversely to various environmental factors, skincare products, and even dietary changes. This skin type is often characterized by redness, itching, burning, or dryness. People with sensitive skin need to be particularly mindful of the ingredients in their products, as harsh chemicals can provoke flare-ups or allergic reactions. As a result, it’s recommended to lean towards hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, and natural products when possible.

One way to safeguard your skin is by incorporating antioxidant-rich products designed for sensitive skin types.

Expert-Recommended Antioxidants for Sensitive Skin

Vitamin E: An excellent antioxidant for sensitive skin because of its hydrating and soothing properties. It’s often used in skincare products to help reduce inflammation and redness.

Green Tea Extract: It contains epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a potent antioxidant known for its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, making it ideal for sensitive skin.

Feverfew: Feverfew is a plant that has been studied for its strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, which may enable it to soothe and protect sensitive skin.

Resveratrol: Found in the skin of grapes, resveratrol is a powerful antioxidant that also has anti-inflammatory properties, making it perfect for sensitive skin.

Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): Not only is it an antioxidant, but it also helps to improve skin barrier function and reduce inflammation, which is beneficial for sensitive skin.

Our Best Antioxidant-Rich Serum for Sensitive Skin: Coffee Bean Face Serum

This serum is rich in green coffee, a source of natural caffeine, and antioxidant-rich licorice and green tea extracts. The blend of these ingredients helps to de-puff the skin and brighten dark circles while fighting free radicals.

Oily Skin

As the name suggests, oily skin is characterized by an overproduction of sebum – the skin’s natural oil. While a certain amount of oil is healthy and necessary to keep the skin supple and protected, an excess can lead to a shiny complexion, enlarged pores, and a higher likelihood of acne and blackheads. This skin type benefits from non-comedogenic products that won’t clog pores, and ingredients that help balance sebum production.

Despite its challenges, oily skin also has benefits, like natural protection against aging and enhanced skin elasticity. However, managing this skin type requires special attention and the right skincare products.

Expert-Recommended Antioxidants for Oily Skin

Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): niacinamide aids in the regulation of oil production and reduction of inflammation, making it an excellent choice for those with oily skin.

Vitamin C: It helps in brightening skin tone, reducing signs of aging, and lowering inflammation.

Green Tea Extract: An antioxidant powerhouse, green tea extract can help reduce sebum production, combat inflammation, and fight acne-causing bacteria.

Retinol (Vitamin A): Retinol can help reduce the appearance of pores, a common issue with oily skin, by promoting cell turnover.

Salicylic Acid: Not technically an antioxidant, but worth mentioning for oily skin due to its oil-soluble nature, it can penetrate pores and dissolve excess sebum and dead skin cells.

Our Best Antioxidant-Rich Serum for Oily Skin: Tea Tree Concentrated Spot Treatment

This is a potent natural remedy with a blend of tea tree oil and willow, delivering antibacterial properties to help fight acne. Tea tree oil, with its inherent antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, works in tandem with peppermint and neem to unclog pores, reduce redness, and control oil production.

Remember, managing oily skin is about balance. Overly harsh products can strip the skin of natural oils, prompting it to produce more sebum in response. Antioxidant-rich skincare products can help regulate oil production, protect the skin from environmental stressors, and maintain a healthy, radiant complexion.

Combination Skin

Combination skin is a mix of both oily and dry or normal skin types. Typically, the forehead, nose, and chin – often referred to as the T-zone – may be oily, while the cheeks and other parts of the face may be dry or normal. This skin type can be challenging to manage due to its dual nature and it may require different products or routines for different facial zones.

For combination skin, the right mix of antioxidants can both moisturize dry areas and control sebum production in oily areas. Here are five expert-recommended antioxidants for combination skin:

Expert-Recommended Antioxidants for Combination Skin

Vitamin C: This potent antioxidant can brighten the complexion, reduce hyperpigmentation, and boost collagen production. Its ability to regulate sebum production makes it ideal for the oily areas of combination skin.

Vitamin E: Known for its moisturizing properties, vitamin E works wonders on dry skin patches without clogging pores, making it a great fit for combination skin.

Green Tea Extract: Packed with potent polyphenols, green tea extract can help reduce sebum production and soothe inflammation, addressing both aspects of combination skin.

Niacinamide: This form of vitamin B3 can balance sebum production and retain skin moisture, making it beneficial for combination skin. It also works to improve skin elasticity and reduce redness.

Resveratrol: Derived from grapes, this antioxidant combats aging and inflammation. It also aids in balancing the skin's natural oils, making it well-suited to combination skin.

Our Best Antioxidant-Rich Serum for Oily Skin: Vitamin C Serum

A standout product in this category is our Vitamin C Serum. This serum is a cocktail of beneficial antioxidants, with vitamin C as the star ingredient. It works to brighten and even out skin tone while tackling the oilier areas of combination skin.

Additionally, the product is filled with other skin-loving ingredients like aloe juice and green tea extract, ensuring your skin gets a holistic treatment. This lightweight, fast-absorbing serum allows you to get your daily dose of antioxidants while balancing your combination skin.

Dry Skin

Dry skin lacks the necessary lipids and natural oils to retain moisture, resulting in a complexion that may appear dull, rough, or flaky. This skin type is prone to early signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles. Highly moisturizing and hydrating products benefit dry skin, aiming to replenish the skin’s moisture barrier and impart a healthy, youthful glow.

Expert-Recommended Antioxidants for Dry Skin

The goal of curating antioxidant-rich skincare for dry skin is to help replenish moisture, reinforce the skin's natural barrier, and protect the skin from environmental damage.

1. Vitamin E: An essential nutrient with anti-inflammatory properties. It helps support the skin's immune system, cell function, and overall skin health. It's a potent antioxidant that can help neutralize harmful free radicals and moisturize the skin.

2. Hyaluronic Acid: While not technically an antioxidant, it works exceptionally well in conjunction with them for dry skin. It has the unique capability to retain moisture, with each molecule able to hold 1000 times its weight in water. This moisture-retaining quality makes it an ideal compound for hydrating dry skin.

3. Vitamin C: A potent antioxidant that aids in your skin's regeneration process, which helps repair damaged skin cells and produce collagen. It also provides a brightening effect, adding to a healthy, youthful glow.

4. Resveratrol: A plant compound found in grapes and berries. As an antioxidant, resveratrol can help protect the skin's surface and rebuff negative environmental influences. It also has significant skin-calming properties that may help with redness associated with dry skin.

Our Best Antioxidant-Rich Serum for Dry Skin: Bakuchiol Oil Serum

If you're looking for a product that's packed with antioxidant goodness for dry skin, this serum should be your go-to. It contains Bakuchiol, a plant-derived, natural alternative to retinol. Bakuchiol, like retinol, works by increasing cell turnover, thereby promoting collagen production and diminishing signs of aging such as wrinkles and fine lines. What sets it apart for dry skin is its non-irritating and moisturizing properties, unlike retinol, which can often exacerbate dryness.

What are antioxidants and how do they benefit the skin?

Antioxidants are substances that help protect the skin's surface from oxidative damage caused by free radicals and environmental assailants, such as UV rays and pollution. Antioxidants are often found in skincare formulas because of their powerful anti-aging and sun-protecting benefits.

Can antioxidants help with anti-aging?

Yes! Antioxidants are effective are enhancing resistance to oxidative stress and helping prevent and improve skin aging. When free radical damage happens, the stress leads to collagen in the skin breaking down, which impairs the skin’s natural repair response and prompts inflammation. This is a major factor that can lead to wrinkles, fine lines, and loose, sagging skin. Antioxidants help by scavenging these free radicals, which keep the skin looking radiant and youthful.

Are antioxidant-rich skincare products suitable for all skin types?

Antioxidants are generally safe for most skin types. Certain antioxidants like niacinamide and zinc can reduce inflammation, a major factor in acne development, breakouts, and other inflammatory skin conditions.

However, like any skincare product, they can cause side effects in some individuals. Some people might experience minor skin irritation or allergic reactions to certain antioxidants. If you have sensitive skin or a known skin condition, it's best to patch-test a new product before applying it to your face. If irritation or any other adverse effects occur, discontinue use and consult a dermatologist.

How can I incorporate antioxidants into my skincare routine?

Antioxidant products can generally be used daily, as part of your regular skincare routine. However, the frequency of use can depend on the specific product and your skin type. Most skin types can use antioxidant-rich products in the morning, as they can help protect your skin from damage caused by environmental pollutants and UV rays throughout the day.

What are some natural sources of antioxidants used in 100% PURE products?

Our antioxidant-rich formulations prioritize using ingredients derived from super fruits like berries and plant-derived vegetables like dark, leafy greens down to nuts and teas, such as green tea and matcha. These skin-loving products are free from synthetic chemicals, artificial fragrances, parabens, sulfates,

Now you know what antioxidants are, and why they’re so good for your body and skin! Antioxidant skin care can offer anti-inflammatory, skin-firming, and anti-aging benefits while aiding in the repair of scar tissue and sun damage.

The power of antioxidants lies in their unique ability to neutralize harmful free radicals, thus contributing significantly to overall health, immune system strengthening, and the deceleration of the aging process. Their benefits extend beyond general health, with significant positive impacts on skin health, protecting our skin from damage and preventing premature aging.

Understanding your unique skin type is essential to choosing the right antioxidant-rich products to meet your specific needs, whether it be for sensitive, oily, combination, or dry skin. Antioxidant-rich skincare products can provide vital nourishment, offering a protective shield against environmental stressors, and helping you maintain a healthy and radiant complexion.

With a myriad of beneficial properties, antioxidants have truly established their standing as a crucial component in daily skincare routines. Now that’s the ultimate antioxidant ABCs of radiant, more youthful skin!