Antioxidants are key ingredients for healthy skin. They are often added to creams and serums to protect the skin from environmental aggressors and prevent the signs of aging. In this article, discover how antioxidants can help fight free radicals, reduce inflammation and protect the skin from damage caused by internal and external factors.
Free radicals & antioxidants
Free radicals are unstable molecules that form naturally in our bodies due to exposure to UV rays, pollution, diet, exercise and even breathing. These molecules are characterized by a negative electrical charge, which makes them highly reactive and susceptible to reacting with other molecules in our bodies, including our skin cells. When present in excess, these free radicals disturb the cellular balance and cause a phenomenon called "oxidative stress".
The latter results in visible skin alterations over time. The skin, constantly attacked, loses its ability to defend itself and pigmentary and cutaneous disorders can appear.
Antioxidants take their name from their ability to inhibit oxidation, which prevents free radicals from attacking the cells of the epidermis.
They are therefore precious active ingredients to ensure the balance of a healthy skin. They act globally by reducing cellular inflammation, which limits the formation of signs of aging such as brown spots. They also have a smoothing effect on wrinkles, prevent skin slackening and protect against premature skin aging.
The origin of the use of antioxidants in cosmetics
The use of antioxidants in skin care products began to gain popularity in the 1990s, when studies showed their ability to protect the skin from free radicals and prevent the signs of skin aging.
Vitamins such as vitamin E and vitamin C were the first antioxidants to be used in cosmetic products. These ingredients were used to increase the antioxidant capacity of these products and enhance their skin health benefits. Dermaceutic was one of the first laboratories to introduce essential active ingredients such as vitamin C into its formulas.
Later, other components with antioxidant properties were added to cosmetic products, such as coenzyme Q10, resveratrol, carotenoids, polyphenols and omega-3 fatty acids.
They have become a must-have ingredient thanks to their beneficial properties. These components, both natural and synthetic, are widely used in cosmetics for their protective and anti-aging effects that maintain healthy skin, protecting it from environmental damage and improving its appearance.
Our R&D teams, along with scientific experts, do their utmost to formulate products of the highest quality thanks to an optimized combination of active ingredients.
A comment from Monory POT, R&D expert at Dermaceutic:
"Carotenes, and beta-carotene in particular, are molecules with powerful antioxidant power. In the body, antioxidants help fight against cell aging and oxidative stress. In other words, they neutralize the damage caused by free radicals and participate in maintaining a healthy body and an efficient immune system."
Types of antioxidants used in cosmetics
Antioxidants can be of natural or synthetic origin. Natural antioxidants are compounds produced by plants or living organisms to protect against oxidative damage caused by the environment. These natural antioxidants can be extracted from sources such as fruits, vegetables, herbs and plants.
Dermaceutic R&D expert Monory POT's comment:
"The foods richest in vitamin A are liver, butter, eggs, fatty fish and fish livers. Foods that provide beta carotenes (pro-vitamins A). These are precursors of vitamin A and are transformed into vitamin A by the liver as needed.
Foods that provide beta carotenes are yellow and orange fruits and vegetables (sweet potato, pumpkin, apricot, mango and some melons) and dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach, lettuce, broccoli, Brussels sprouts.
In cosmetics, natural antioxidants are frequently used for their benefits. Common examples include vitamins C, E and A, as well as ingredients such as green tea and polyphenols. At the same time, the cosmetic industry is also using synthetic antioxidants created in a laboratory to ensure greater purity and complementarity with natural antioxidants. For example, Dermaceutic's Vitamin C Complex is a patented synthetic ingredient used in products such as Light Ceutic, C25 Cream and Tri Vita C30. Thanks to this unique combination of antioxidants, these products are designed to offer exceptional performance.
5 benefits to know about antioxidants
Today, antioxidants are considered an essential and a must-have ingredient in the skincare industry, whether in serums, moisturizers, oils or facial treatments.
Antioxidants have several beneficial effects:
- Protecting the skin from free radicals
- Preventing premature aging of the skin
- Reducing the visible signs of skin aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles
- Improving the texture and appearance of the skin
- Strengthening the skin barrier
Incorporate antioxidants into your beauty routine
Demaceutic, an expert in aesthetic dermatology for 20 years, develops innovative skincare products by including antioxidants in its cosmeceuticals.
An unequalled concentration of active ingredients in its formula:
TRI VITA C30 serum presents the industry-leading concentration of vitamin C for optimal dermo-revitalization, free radical protection and skin restoration. As well as, to prevent the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, loss of elasticity and uneven skin tone.
An innovative combination of 3 forms of vitamin C to reach several depths of the skin and release antioxidant benefits over time.
Let's take a closer look at the active ingredients of our powerful antioxidant serum – Tri Vita C30:
15% L-Ascorbic acid
Provides optimal antioxidant action.
14.5% Ascorbyl silanol
Potent antioxidant, obtained by vectorizing L-Ascorbic acid using silanol technology, providing protection against the free radicals responsible for photoaging.
0.5% Ascorbyl ester
Combats the signs of photoaging, evens out complexion and boosts skin radiance.
Vitamin E ester
Ester form of vitamin E renowned for its antioxidant properties that helps to combat the free radicals responsible for photoaging (damage caused by the sun).
Ferulic acid ester
Renowned antioxidant that boosts and enhances the photoprotection action of the vitamins C & E.
C25 CREAM - An antioxidant concentrate.
1 C25 Cream is sold every 8 minutes worldwide. It prevents the appearance of free radical damage and premature signs of skin aging with its powerful antioxidant formula. The combination of vitamins C, A, B5 and E neutralizes the effects of oxidative stress.
A formula with improved effectiveness with X20 Vitamin B5 and X5 Polyphenols
Focus on some key ingredients:
25% Vitamin C complex
Potent antioxidant, obtained by vectorizing L-Ascorbic acid using silanol technology, providing protection against the free radicals responsible for photoaging.
Vitamin A ester
The most stable and tolerated form of vitamin A. It improves the texture of the skin and helps combat the signs of aging.
Polyphenols
Found naturally in grapes, especially red grapes, polyphenols act as powerful antioxidant, preventing lipid peroxidation, and as an anti-inflammatory agent.
How to maximize the benefits of antioxidants on your skin?
The combination of antioxidants with other ingredients such as hyaluronic acid or retinoids allows to capitalize on the benefits.
The term "retinoids" includes all natural and synthetic substances derived from vitamin A, such as retinol.
When you combine antioxidants with retinol, you can get better results for your skin. Antioxidants help protect the skin from environmental damage, while retinol can help repair damage that has already been done. The two ingredients work together to improve the overall health of your skin.
However, for a complete skincare routine, it's essential to use both antioxidants and a high SPF sunscreen to keep your skin healthy, radiant and well protected.
Used together, antioxidants and high SPF protection can work in synergy to help improve skin health and prevent damage from environmental stressors and free radicals.
It is important to note that antioxidant products can be photosensitizing if used without adequate sun protection. Using an antioxidant product without SPF protection can increase the risk of sun damage, which is why it is important to combine the two for optimal results.
To Remember: Essential antioxidants for healthy, glowing skin!
Vitamins A, C and E as well as polyphenols are powerful antioxidants that optimally formulated will help to:
- Reduce wrinkles
- Improve texture and tone
- Protect against sun damage.
Dermagazine recommends products with antioxidants to help keep your skin looking its best. Whether you're looking for an anti-aging cream or a moisturizer with SPF protection, these products can provide the protection your skin needs to stay healthy and balanced.