The ABC’s of Antioxidants for Your Skin
A, B3, C: These are a few of our favorite vitamins — and a trio of antioxidants that love to work in defense for your skin. But how much do you actually know about these buzzy antioxidants?
Let’s start with the basics. Antioxidants are naturally occurring vitamins and minerals that help protect your skin against free radicals (molecules in the environment that damage your skin by clinging to your collagen and weakening elasticity … ugh). Free radicals can attack our skin through things like air pollutants and chemicals, which can often be difficult to avoid in our daily lives. In other words, they’re just the worst.
That’s what we love about antioxidants: When used correctly, they can help neutralize those free radicals to protect your skin from damage. To find the most effective antioxidant products for your skin, you’ll want to reach for medical-grade skincare from AESTHETICS 360°— and follow the guidance of your A360 aesthetician. These medical-grade products often work best in tandem with supplemental in-office skin treatments, which your aesthetician can clearly explain to you during your complimentary consultation.
To better understand the antioxidants you might find in some of our favorite medical-grade products at AESTHETICS 360°, here’s a look at five of our favorites:
Vitamin A: Did you know the highly lauded skincare ingredient retinol is really concentrated vitamin A? Yes, retinol — that popular ingredient that might help to smooth fine lines, soften uneven texture, brighten skin, fade scars and reduce acne — is one of our favorite antioxidants.
As much as we love it, it’s important to note that side effects like breakouts, dryness and flakes might happen when you first start using a retinol product. That’s why, as with any skincare product, it’s vital to follow the usage advice from your A360 aesthetician — and stick with it to see the results!
Vitamin B3: Also known as niacinamide, this anti-inflammatory ingredient is great for helping to treat acne and rosacea — especially when used in conjunction with in-office treatments like Broadband Laser (BBL). We also like that it might help to retain moisture in your skin, smooth fine lines or brighten pigmentation.
Vitamin C: Vitamin C (or ascorbic acid) is a good option for helping brighten dull, unhappy skin. It not only might help calm and hydrate your skin, but could boost your collagen production to help tighten fine lines and smooth uneven skin.
Vitamin E: Vitamin E is the “utility player” of antioxidants — meaning it can pretty much play any position in your skincare arsenal. It’s a natural anti-inflammatory, helps protect your skin against free radicals and premature aging, and might soften skin.
Green Tea: This yummy antioxidant is for more than just sipping. Green tea is filled with polyphenols that work as an anti-inflammatory to help accelerate wound healing. That’s why it’s often recommended to those suffering from rosacea, psoriasis and acne as a supplement to in-office skin treatments. (Just remember to utilize it for skincare in product form, not by resting a damp tea bag on your face.)
PS: We love to eat our antioxidants, too. Check out these 10 Foods for Glowing Skin!
Ready to add some antioxidants to your skincare diet? Find out which medical-grade skincare products (and in-office treatments, of course!) will help you achieve your optimal results. Contact us today for a consultation with one of our A360 clinical aestheticians. See you soon!
