When buying skincare, one of the most important terms you should familiarize yourself with is the word antioxidant.
Antioxidants keep your skin protected from free radicals generated by sun (UV rays), pollution, environmental toxins and stress.
Free radicals are highly reactive, unstable atoms created through internal and external metabolic processes, as well as air pollution, UV rays, smoke, and chemicals lingering in the air your skin is exposed to every day.
These atoms are not paired with an electron, so they steal electrons from other molecules, resulting in a damaging chain reaction (oxidation).
Free radicals cause damage to DNA, cells, and proteins by oxidative stress, which provokes premature aging, as well as cancer and diseases. (Skin breakdown, signs of aging appearing in face early, heart disease).
How Antioxidants Work to Protect Skin
Antioxidants are molecules that neutralize free radicals and prevent oxidative stress by donating electrons to stabilize free radicals.
Antioxidants help:
- Protect against environmental stressors and sun damage
- Reduce premature aging
- Reduce inflammation
Antioxidants Protect Against Environmental Stressors
- Antioxidants neutralize free radicals created by pollution, cigarette smoke, and stress, acting as a barrier of protection to prevent damage
Antioxidants Protect Against Sun Damage
Antioxidants:
- reduce sunburn
- repair damage caused by photo-aging
- reduce inflammation due to their anti-inflammatory properties
- can calm skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, rosacea
Antioxidants Provide Essential Anti-Aging Benefits
Antioxidants:
- promote collagen production
- stimulate skin cell renewal
- hydrate, nourish, and repair skin
- protect and strengthen the skin's moisture barrier
- brighten skin
In this way, antioxidants increase skin's elasticity, help to reduce the appearance of age spots, sunspots, wrinkles and fine lines, and prevent premature aging by slowing down the aging process.
Most Powerful Antioxidants in Skincare
- Botanical extracts
- Retinol (Vitamin A)
- Tocopherol: Vitamin E
- Ascorbic acid and derivatives: Vitamin C
- Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10
- Ferulic Acid
- Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)
- Astaxanthin
Why Botanical Oils Are the Best Choice for Topical Application of Antioxidants
Botanical oils never faded with trends, even when after centuries of successful use in medicine, home remedies, and beauty care -fun products in pretty packaging (useless product or not) gained more popularity over actual skincare benefits (at least in the United States).
While some people still do not bother to read the ingredients or even care what those Latin words on the back of the bottle mean-many others buyers (those with a high interest in skin and hair benefits and quality) are self-educating on what ingredients are, what they do and do not do, and even the history of their uses before they purchase!
As consumers become more educated on skincare needs and ingredients, the focus is returned to renowned botanical oils to achieve better, more long-term results.
Bottom Line: People want better effects minus the toxins or false materials.
Botanical oils are the only skincare materials that have survived centuries of ever-changing skin, hair, and beauty trends-maintaining their high regard in medicinal uses, home remedies, and skincare routines for centuries-throughout the entire the world.
Examples of Botanical Oils
- Buriti-renowned as the world's richest source of beta-carotene, skin barrier repair and sun damage protection and recovery
- Sea Buckthorn- Significantly high in beta-carotene (precursor to Vitamin A), Vitamin C, and highly regenerative and nourishing.
- Carrot Seed- High concentrations of antioxidants and beta-carotene, skin rejuvenation
- Red Palm- high concentrations of beta-carotene (pro-Vitamin A) more than carrot seed
- Bakuchiol- mimics retinol and is a gentler alternative to retinol, increases collagen
- Tamanu- a regenerative collagen booster and scar reducer, significantly high protection and repairing properties
- Grapeseed-high antioxidant activity
- Argan-high Vitamin E and fatty acid content, antioxidant and anti-aging power
- Pomegranate Seed-high content (60-80%) of punicic acid (omega-5), ideal for reversing UV damage, elasticity, skin barrier repair, and anti-inflammatory
- Prickly Pear Seed- 150% more Vitamin E (tocopherol) than Argan, superior antioxidant protection and collagen booster
These are just a few oils and a few of their benefits. There is so much more left to explore in the world of botanical ingredients and their benefits for hair and skin!
Learn how to pick the right oils for your skin by visiting:
What Is Cold Pressed Oil and Why Your Skin Loves It – Dollhouse Botanicals
Your Ultimate Guide to Achieving a Lasting Glow – Dollhouse Botanicals
Are Oils or Creams Better for My Face? – Dollhouse Botanicals
Humectants, Emollients, Occlusives-Dollhouse Botanicals