Step into Skin Care By Calie and after every facial treatment I will make it a priority to go over the importance of sunscreen. That’s not all though, I will also advise you to add on an antioxidant to your regimen and here is why. Your skin is your largest organ, so it is important to take care of it. Antioxidants protect skin by limiting the production of free radicals, which can damage skin cells. Antioxidants in skin care products can do a lot for the health and appearance of your skin, including reducing the signs of aging.
I think it is important to first understand what antioxidants are. These powerful little substances neutralize free radicals produced by various environmental insults such as ultraviolet radiation, cigarette smoke and air pollutants, thereby preventing cellular damage. Oxidative damage to the molecules in the cells of the skin can be caused by the sun’s UV rays and this can result in premature aging of the skin, such as lines, wrinkles, sagging skin and age spots, as well as skin diseases like melanoma. Left unchecked, free radicals can cause a whole host of problems for your body and skin, including accelerating the aging process and potentially leading to skin cancer.
Antioxidants have become the “talk around town” for improving your overall health and wellness, but did you know that these powerful little molecules are also important if you want healthy-looking skin? There are two primary ways to make sure your skin has the antioxidants it needs, one is topical use of antioxidants and the other is including antioxidants in your diet. These two steps should be taken everyday to achieve the healthy beautiful skin you are looking for as well as your internal health. One of the most plentiful and common antioxidants is Vitamin C (or l-ascorbic acid). Although many vitamins are very important for our health, Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that is a key player in collagen production. Antioxidants repair cells so they can restore collagen production as well as boosting your skin’s collagen production to give you firmer, more plump skin smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles. The antioxidant properties of vitamin C help fight free radicals and damage caused by UV radiation. The result is anti-aging action for younger-looking skin. Adequate vitamin C intake can also help repair and prevent dry skin. Vitamin C can be found in many citrus fruits, but there are many antioxidants that you can easily consume such as strawberries, blueberries, pomegranates, cherries, almonds, walnuts, dark chocolate, green tea, and even red wine or grape juice are all great examples of foods and drinks with high concentrations of antioxidants.
Although it is very important to consume antioxidants in your diet, it is equally important to pay attention to them with your skin care products. When looking at your particular products ingredients, popular topical antioxidants found include:
-
RETINOL (VITAMIN A)
-
VITAMIN E.
-
RESVERATROL
-
NIACINAMIDE
As most of you already know, I am a huge fan of SkinCeuticals products because their mission is to improve skin health. SkinCeuticals is one of the first companies to partner with physicians to offer skincare products in their offices. They are also one of the first companies since 1994 that have reached the turning point in antioxidant research. They have nearly 40 years of experience researching and developing technologies that help to prevent accelerated skin aging and skin cancer. SkinCeuticals founding Scientist Sheldon Pinnell, M.D. was the leader in a breakthrough discovery and the creation of an entirely new skincare category of topical antioxidant authority. With four generations of topical antioxidant formulations, 10 patents, and more than 200 studies published in prestigious medical journals, SkinCeuticals is a trailblazer in antioxidant science.
My two favorites include:
Phloretin CF: This product is formulated with a combination of 2% phloretin, 10% pure vitamin C (l-ascorbic acid), and 0.5% ferulic acid for enhanced protection against atmospheric skin aging – environmental damage and premature signs of aging caused by free radicals from UVA/UVB, infrared radiation (IRA), and ozone pollution (O3). This product is paraben, fragrance, and dye-free and helps improve the appearance of discoloration and overall skin tone. Ideal for normal, oily, and combination skin types.
C E Ferulic: Featuring a synergistic antioxidant combination of 15% pure vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), 1% vitamin E (alpha tocopherol), and 0.5% ferulic acid, this product is better for dry, normal, and sensitive skin types. This product is also paraben free and provides visible anti-aging benefits, such as the improvement of the appearance of lines and wrinkles, loss of firmness, and brightens skin’s complexion.
Whichever topical antioxidant products you go with it is important to set up a daily regimen. What I recommend is, in the morning after cleansing and toning, apply 4-5 drops to a dry face, neck, and chest before other skincare products. Antioxidants can also be used on the back of the hands to brighten and protect them. It is normal for vitamin C products to darken after opening due to air and light exposure but the formula will remain effective. Once opened, it is recommended to be used within 3 months of opening. It is important to also complete your regimen with a sunscreen. When used together, SkinCeuticals antioxidants and broad spectrum sunscreens provide the most complete protection against visible aging caused by environmental aggressors. Once absorbed, SkinCeuticals vitamin C serums remain effective for a minimum of 72 hours.
With the seasons changing and as we approach warmer weather, it is crucial to take care of your skin and protect it. You can find these antioxidant products and more at Skin Care by Calie.
