Antioxidants are compounds that can protect your body and skin from damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules created by environmental stressors, such as UV radiation, pollution, and smoking. Free radicals can cause oxidative damage to your DNA, which can lead to signs of aging, psoriasis, and even disease. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals so they can’t damage cells.
Antioxidants are popular in skincare products because they have many benefits for the skin. By fighting free radicals, antioxidants in skincare help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while also improving your skin’s hydration, promoting collagen production, and supporting cell regeneration.
We’ll teach you about common skincare antioxidants and how to incorporate them into your routine to get healthy, beautiful skin.
What Are Antioxidants?
The term “antioxidant” covers a variety of substances that can stabilize free radicals, preventing them from causing damage to your cells.
What Do Antioxidants Do for Skin?
There are two ways to use antioxidants, internally or topically, and they offer different benefits. Applying skincare products that contain antioxidant ingredients is the fastest way to improve the look and feel of your skin. You can expect a brighter skin tone, increased hydration, and protection against signs of aging.
Taking antioxidants internally, through supplements or your diet, provides benefits for your entire body, including reduced inflammation, improved circulation, faster cell regeneration, and protection against environmental stressors. By combining topical and internal antioxidants, you’ll be helping your skin and body look and feel its best.
Although antioxidants are photoprotective, meaning they help fight sun damage, they are not a replacement for sunscreen. Always use SPF 30+ as your first line of protection against the sun.
The Best Antioxidants for Skin
Antioxidants help reduce the negative effects of oxidative stress, such as wrinkles, sagging skin, and hyperpigmentation. Below are some of the best antioxidants for the skin that you can find in skincare products on any beauty aisle.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that works wonders on the skin. It stimulates collagen production to keep skin firm and supple, protects against environmental pollution and sun damage, and brightens the skin.
To get the most out of this antioxidant, apply it in the morning so it can fend off UV damage throughout the day. Though vitamin C can minimize sun damage, it’s still essential to wear SPF 30+ daily.
Retinol (Vitamin A)
Retinol, also known as vitamin A, is an excellent skincare antioxidant, especially for mature skin. Retinol can:
- Boost cell turnover to reduce dead skin cell buildup that causes a dull, rough complexion
- Stimulate collagen production, keeping skin smooth and supple
Retinol is a powerful antioxidant that can cause skin irritation in some people. To help your skin adjust, choose a product with a low concentration (.01-.03%) to start and gradually increase to higher concentrations once your skin stops showing signs of sensitivity.
Niacinamide
Niacinamide promotes ceramide production, a lipid that protects the skin barrier and retains moisture. Using skincare products with this antioxidant can improve your skin’s hydration and suppleness while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Niacinamide is a great antioxidant for all skin types, but it’s especially beneficial for those with sensitive, oily, or acne-prone skin. Its anti-inflammatory properties can reduce redness and irritation and regulate oil production, which can help control greasy skin and acne.
CoQ10 (Coenzyme Q10)
CoQ10 is a naturally occurring enzyme found in every cell of the body. It plays an essential role in boosting energy within the cells, which helps speed cell turnover. This leads to faster skin rejuvenation and can reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles. It’s also an excellent antioxidant for protecting the skin against UV radiation and environmental pollution.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E helps strengthen the skin barrier to improve moisture retention and protects the skin from oxidative stress that can dull the complexion and speed up the aging process. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, making it a great skincare ingredient for people with sensitive skin or conditions such as psoriasis and eczema.
Copper
Copper is an essential trace mineral that helps your body produce collagen and elastin, both of which help maintain your skin’s elasticity and firmness for a more youthful appearance. Copper also fights oxidative stress that can lead to signs of aging, and its anti-inflammatory properties reduce redness and irritation in the skin.
Key Antioxidant Ingredients in Glo2Facial Customizations
Glo2Facial uses antioxidant ingredients to provide immediate and long-lasting results. Each customization features a unique antioxidant that targets specific skin concerns. Read on to learn more about the highly effective ingredients in each Glo2Facial customization.
Balance Customization
The Balance Customization has antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiviral, and antifungal properties, making it an excellent choice for oily and acne-prone skin. It features camu-camu extract, which delivers a boost of vitamins and antioxidants to your skin to help prevent UVA and UVB damage while reducing pigmentation caused by acne.
This customization also has many other powerful ingredients, including:
- Bamboo Charcoal: Absorbs dirt, oil, and pollutants to clarify and remove acne-causing agents.
- Mandelic Acid: Loosens the bonds of dead skin cells to gently exfoliate, even skin tone, and reduce pigmentation.
- Willow Bark: A natural form of salicylic acid used to shed dead skin cells, decrease redness and inflammation, and treat acne.
- Kojic Acid: Contains skin-lightening and antimicrobial properties to reduce sun spot damage and pigmentation caused by acne.
- Horsetail Extract: Provides anti-aging and anti-inflammatory antioxidants to soothe acne and irritation.
- Vanilla: Contains antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties to slow down signs of aging such as fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots.
- Jojoba oil: Reduces inflammation while moisturizing and nourishing the skin.
- Argan oil: Packed with omega fatty acids, vitamin R, and linoleic acids that moisturize, soften dry patches, and reduce inflammation.
- Shea butter: Contains high concentrations of fatty acids and vitamins to soften the skin and provide anti-inflammatory and healing properties.
Detox Customization
The Detox Customization is best for irritated skin and skin regularly exposed to environmental factors such as pollution and allergens. Green tea extract is the star ingredient in this customization, using its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties to help repair UV damage and photo-toxicity.
This customization also features:
- Copper Gluconate: A powerful antioxidant that helps inhibit damage from environmental stressors while stimulating collagen synthesis and skin regeneration.
- Marula Oil: Fight free radicals and staves off skin damage caused by UV rays and pollution.
- Citric Acid: Promotes new skin growth and helps prevent the build-up of dead cells which can dull the complexion.
- Calamine: A conditioning agent that helps relieve irritation in red or sensitive skin.
- Allantoin: A natural compound that improves skin’s moisture retention.
- Gorgonian Extract: Reduces and protects from irritation, soothes the skin, and staves off signs of aging.
- White Water Lily Extract: A smoothing and moisturizing ingredient that helps balance cell renewal and eliminate toxins, revealing a brighter, more even skin tone.
- Vitamin E: Supports the immune system, cell function, and overall skin health to combat the effects of free radicals.
- Horsetail Extract: Provides anti-aging and anti-inflammatory antioxidants to soothe acne and irritation.
- Vanilla Extract: Contains antioxidants that slow down signs of aging like fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots.
- Argan Oil: Loaded with vitamin E and fatty acids that help hydrate and soften the skin.
- Shea Butter: A skin moisturizing agent.
- Jojoba Oil: Nourishes and protects the skin from environmental stressors
Glam Customization
The Glo2Facial Glam Customization supports the skin barrier to reduce collagen and moisture loss. It uses copper, a potent antioxidant, to improve collagen synthesis, reduce the appearance of scars and pigmentation, soften fine lines, and protect the skin from environmental stressors.
This customization also features these ingredients:
- Gold Flakes: Increases skin elasticity and helps prevent loss of collagen to visibly plump, lift and firm the skin.
- Silk Amino Acids: Strengthens the skin barrier, moisturizes, and speeds up cell function to help visibly reduce signs of aging.
- Rosehip Oil: Contains a wealth of essential fatty acids, which help keep skin cell walls strong, maintain moisture, enhance collagen regeneration, firm the skin, even skin tone, and fade scars.
- Marula Oil: Contains antioxidants, amino acids, and essential fatty acids to hydrate the skin, smooth fine lines, and fight free radicals.
- Grapeseed Oil: Contains antimicrobial properties to repair the skin’s protective barrier and treat acne.
Hydrate Customization
The Hydrate Customization is best for dry, dull skin. It uses niacinamide, a potent antioxidant, to strengthen the skin barrier and enhance moisture retention for long-lasting results. It also promotes protein synthesis, improves skin metabolism, and visibly reduces the appearance of enlarged pores.
You’ll also find these skin-boosting ingredients in our Hydrate Customization:
- Blue Spirulina: Improves moisture retention and contains antioxidants.
- PHA, Lactobionic Acid: The next generation of AHAs. It gently exfoliates and enhances hydration and firmness.
- Hyaluronic Acid: Can attract and hold 1000x its weight in moisture. Replenishes moisture and hydration.
- Vitamin B5: A conditioning agent that improves moisture retention and stabilizes the skin’s barrier function.
- Argan Oil: Packed with omega fatty acids, vitamin R, and linoleic acids, which moisturize, softens dry patches, and reduces inflammation.
Illuminate Customization
The aptly named Illuminate Customization is the best choice to brighten skin. Vitamin C is the all-star antioxidant in this customization, and it reduces hyperpigmentation, protects the skin from sun damage, and creates brighter complexion.
This customization also features:
- Kojic Acid: Fades dark spots and evens skin tone.
- Carrot Extract: Repairs skin cells and plumps skin texture.
- Prickly Pear Extract: Brightens dark spots and hyperpigmentation.
- Boldo Tree Bark: Contains antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and brightening properties.
- Coconut Oil: Moisturizes, reduces inflammation, and fights acne.
- Shea Butter: Contains high concentrations of fatty acids and vitamins to soften the skin and provide anti-inflammatory and healing properties.
Revive Customization
To refresh dull skin, reduce fine lines, and improve overall skin texture, choose the Revive Customization. It uses retinyl palmitate, a mild form of retinol, to even skin tone and reduce signs of sun damage that appear with age.
You’ll also find these powerful ingredients in this customization:
- Red Algae: Contains anti-aging properties to inhibit enzymes that break down collagen in the skin, improve elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines.
- Caffeic Acid: Increases collagen production and prevents premature aging.
- Ferulic Acid: Strengths the skin barrier, smooths texture, and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
- Willow Bark: A natural form of salicylic acid used to shed dead skin cells, decrease redness and inflammation, and treat acne.
- Edelweiss: Improves firmness and hydration for more supple skin.
- Vanilla: Contains antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties to help to slow down signs of aging like fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots.
- Shea Butter: Contains high concentrations of fatty acids and vitamins to soften the skin and provide anti-inflammatory and healing properties.
Tips for Using Antioxidant Skincare At Home
Get the most out of your antioxidant skincare by following these tips:
1. Antioxidants are powerful ingredients, so it’s a good idea to do a patch test to see how your skin reacts. You may need to slowly introduce antioxidant skincare into your routine, either by starting with lower concentrations or by gradually increasing the frequency of use.
2. Apply your antioxidant serum or treatment after cleansing and toning, but before moisturizing and applying sunscreen.
3. Antioxidants are known for protecting against sun damage, but it’s still essential to wear sunscreen with SPF 30+ every day.
4. Identify your specific skincare concerns and choose the right antioxidants to target those issues. For example, if you want to brighten your skin, choose vitamin C. To improve hydration, look for vitamin E.
Get Healthy, Glowing Skin with Antioxidant Ingredients in Glo2Facial Treatments
A Glo2Facial treatment is just what your skin needs to look and feel its best. Find a provider near you and book a customized, antioxidant-rich facial that meets all of your skincare needs.
