Antioxidants: How they protect our skin from free radicals

What are antioxidants?

In the world of skincare, the importance of antioxidants is constantly emphasized. Let's start by defining the term. "Anti" means "against" or "against." You might remember the term "oxidation" from chemistry class. It's a chemical reaction in which one or more electrons are released. Essentially, a transfer takes place where one substance gives its electron to another. Antioxidants counteract such oxidation reactions between other substances. They are also known as "free radical scavengers." This simply means that antioxidants can neutralize free radicals and thus protect other substances (such as the components of our skin). We'll discuss free radicals in more detail in the next section.

What are free radicals and how do they form?

Radicals, simply put, are chemical compounds that are missing an electron. Therefore, they are highly reactive, as they strive to restore a balanced charge by acquiring an electron from elsewhere. When radicals encounter unprotected skin, they steal this electron from skin components, such as natural skin lipids or collagen. Attacking the skin's structure or damaging the collagen network leads to accelerated skin aging. Symptoms include sagging skin, increased wrinkles, dryness, and pigmentation damage. In the worst-case scenario, radicals can also affect cellular DNA and potentially cause cancer.

Radicals can be formed in various ways. Often, this occurs through exposure to high energy, such as UV radiation, X-rays, or electromagnetic radiation. These high-energy radiations cause an electron to be detached from a compound and released. Radicals can also be generated by environmental factors like intense heat or pollutants, or by other external influences such as cigarette smoke. Furthermore, they are produced naturally through metabolic processes in the body.

Because radicals steal an electron from another compound, they can also create new radicals, leading to a very harmful chain reaction. Antioxidants interrupt this cycle. They provide the radical with precisely the electron it needs without becoming a dangerous molecule themselves. On the skin, they thus protect its natural components. Antioxidants are also more effective when used in combination, so it's definitely advisable to combine different types.

Vitamins as antioxidants

Vitamins are particularly well-known as antioxidants in skincare. Vitamins A, C, and E are not only beneficial in multivitamin juice, but also directly on the skin. Vitamin B3 and provitamin A also possess antioxidant properties.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is a special case, as it's the only vitamin that should be applied to the skin in the evening, since it makes the skin more sensitive to light and is therefore unsuitable for morning application. Vitamin A itself is also photosensitive, but this doesn't diminish its antioxidant effect. Most people are probably familiar with this vitamin for its anti-aging properties . It reduces signs of skin aging and repairs existing damage caused by UV light. It also promotes skin regeneration.

Provitamin A/Carotenoids

Provitamin A is essentially a relative of vitamin A. Provitamins are simply the precursors of other vitamins and are converted into them in the body. Provitamin A can be further divided into alpha and beta carotenoids. Due to its relationship to vitamin A, provitamin A also has very similar properties. In addition, it enhances the effectiveness of UV protection products, is anti-inflammatory, and has a positive effect on the complexion.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is considered the most potent and probably best-known antioxidant. It's also excellent for enhancing the effectiveness of sunscreens. Therefore, it's worthwhile applying a vitamin C booster before sunscreen. Like vitamin A, it can repair damage caused by UV radiation and slows down skin aging by preventing the formation of new wrinkles. Vitamin C often makes skin look younger and healthier in record time by plumping up wrinkles and giving it a fresh complexion. With vitamin C, you can expect initial results after three weeks, but many report positive effects on their skin even sooner.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is itself a powerful antioxidant. It also plays a significant role as a "supporter" for other antioxidants, revitalizing their effectiveness. Therefore, combining different antioxidants is beneficial. Vitamin E also contributes to a more youthful complexion because it moisturizes and thus counteracts dryness. Furthermore, it promotes a healthy skin barrier, protecting the skin from environmental stressors. Its anti-inflammatory properties and ability to promote skin healing are among its other advantages.

Vitamin B3/Niacinamide

Vitamin B3 shares some similarities with the other vitamins described so far. Like vitamin E, it protects the skin by strengthening its barrier. It also shares with vitamins A and C the ability to reduce fine lines and have a brightening effect on photodamage such as age spots. Furthermore, it promotes skin regeneration and accelerates its repair processes.

Tea extracts as antioxidants

Various tea extracts also have strong antioxidant effects. Extracts from white, green, and rooibos tea are particularly effective.

White tea

White tea not only reduces the signs of skin aging but also inhibits the formation of new wrinkles. Furthermore, it protects the skin from environmental influences and has anti-inflammatory properties. Skin treated with white tea quickly becomes velvety and soft.

Green tea

Green tea also has anti-inflammatory properties. It is excellent for soothing irritated skin and reducing redness caused by sun exposure. It protects against the negative effects of UV radiation on the skin and slows down the photoaging process.

Rooibos tea

Like the other two tea extracts, rooibos tea extract also has a soothing effect on inflammation. Furthermore, the extract helps the skin to repair itself more quickly and easily. Overall, rooibos tea extract also leads to a more youthful-looking complexion.

Other antioxidants

Besides vitamins and tea extracts, there are other antioxidants in skincare that we wouldn't want to do without. Other incredibly effective antioxidants include resveratrol, superoxide dismutase, and acetyl zingerone.

Resveratrol

Like other antioxidants, resveratrol protects the skin from environmental stressors. It reduces the effects of photoaging on the skin. Resveratrol also has anti-inflammatory properties and reduces redness. It promotes an even complexion and improves skin structure by making it firmer.

Superoxide dismutase

Perhaps the most outstanding benefit of superoxide dismutase is its ability to protect against lipid peroxidation. This is a process in which highly reactive radicals oxidize primarily the skin's lipids, i.e., natural oils and fats. Since our skin's own lipids are essential, preventing lipid peroxidation is crucial. Superoxide dismutase helps prevent both wrinkles and photoaging. It can repair existing signs of skin aging and pigment damage, resulting in a rejuvenated complexion. Furthermore, superoxide dismutase has both skin-soothing and anti-inflammatory properties and protects against environmental stressors.

Acetyl zingerone

Acetyl zingerone soothes the skin after sun exposure and reduces redness in sun-damaged skin. It supports skin repair and promotes a culture of beneficial bacteria, the so-called microbiome. Like other antioxidants, it protects the skin from harmful external influences. For example, it primarily protects the skin's own collagen from damage, thus maintaining a youthful and firm complexion.

Antioxidants are incredibly powerful when it comes to protecting our skin. While they're even more important in summer due to higher UV exposure, they should ideally be used year-round. Since everyday life constantly exposes us to free radicals, and our bodies produce them naturally, antioxidants are simply essential for keeping our skin healthy and firm. Because antioxidants are stronger when working together, it's particularly beneficial to use an active ingredient complex containing a variety of different antioxidants. Did you know that ten of these wonderful antioxidants are included in our new Antioxidant Serum ?