In the hunt for the best skincare ingredients, there’s one thing that should be near the top of your list: antioxidants. While it’s widely recognized that antioxidants benefit our overall health, their impact on our skin is often overlooked. To best explain how these little molecules pack such a big punch when it comes to our complexion, let’s start a quick chemistry lesson. 

What are antioxidants?

Antioxidants are compounds that neutralize free radicals in our bodies. Too many free radicals can lead to oxidative stress, which can be damaging to our organs and tissues and lead to disease and premature aging. If you think of your body as a forest, free radicals represent any sparks that could ignite a wildfire, threatening the health of the trees (aka, your cells). Antioxidants, on the other hand, would be your firefighters, quickly extinguishing these sparks before they can spread and cause extensive damage. By putting out these threats, antioxidants help keep the forest (your body) healthy and thriving.

So, what role do antioxidants play in skincare?

• Prevent Premature Aging: Antioxidants are crucial for skincare because they work tirelessly to defend our largest organ—our skin. Think of them as your skin’s personal bodyguards. Free radicals can wreak havoc on skin cells, breaking down collagen and elastin, which are vital for keeping skin firm and elastic. By stopping these free radicals in their tracks, antioxidants help preserve your skin’s youthful bounce and resilience, making them key players in the fight against premature aging.
• Reducing Inflammation: Even more, antioxidants have anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe irritated skin and reduce redness. This makes them essential for combating environmental factors that generate free radicals and cause inflammation, such as pollutants and UV rays, while also calming conditions like acne, rosacea, and eczema.
• Repairing the Skin: Inflammation can throw a wrench in the skin’s repair process. Antioxidants work to minimize this inflammation and promote cell regeneration, enabling the skin to repair itself and correct visible damage.
• Brightening and Evening Skin: Certain antioxidants, like vitamin C, can help brighten the skin by inhibiting the production of melanin, which causes dark spots, hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone. 

How can you incorporate antioxidants into your skincare?

• Eating Your Antioxidants: Antioxidants are found in a wide range of foods, especially fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. Eating a diverse and colorful diet is one of the best ways to ensure you’re getting a variety of antioxidants.
• Applying Your Antioxidants: From serums and creams to face masks to sunscreens, look for products that list the following antioxidants as main ingredients:
• Vitamin C: Brightens skin, promotes collagen production, and reduces signs of aging.
• Vitamin E: Moisturizes and strengthens the skin barrier.
• Retinol (Vitamin A): Promotes cell turnover and reduces wrinkles and fine lines.
• Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): Improves skin elasticity, enhances the barrier function, and evens out skin tone. 
• Polyphenols: Powerful plant-based compounds that protect the skin and provide soothing properties. 
• Coenzyme Q10: Energizes skin cells and improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. 
• Resveratrol: Protects against UV damage and has anti-inflammatory properties.

At Timeless, we provide a curated selection of products that are packed with essential antioxidants to protect and rejuvenate your skin, such as:

• SkinMedica Lumivive System
• Obagi Vitamin C with Hydroquinone
• SkinMedica Advanced+ Serum
• SkinMedica Total Defense and Repair

Visit our New Albany or Dublin locations to consult with our Patient Care Coordinators or expert providers and learr how you can pair these products with our specialized treatments to achieve youthful, radiant, and above all, healthy skin.