Q: What are skin care antioxidants and do I need one?
A: These days, most people are taking oral antioxidants for wellness, but to optimize skin health, antioxidants have to be applied topically to the skin. An antioxidant is a molecule that neutralizes free radicals, which are unstable molecules that destroy the structure of the skin and accelerate premature aging. They are generated by UV exposure, pollution, smoking, and other damaging environmental elements and can be a primary cause of fine lines, wrinkles, sun damage, and hyperpigmentation.
Even the best broad-spectrum sunscreen can only block up to about 55% of the damaging free radicals from UV exposure. Clinical studies show that using a daily topical antioxidant in conjunction with a broad-spectrum sunscreen gives a synergistic effect in providing more photoprotection than either one alone.
The benefits of using an antioxidant serum with Vitamins C and/or E include providing optimal photoprotection while preventing signs of premature aging, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and restoring skin tone.