They're considered the holy grail of skin care, and while it's generally assumed that antioxidants are good for us, how exactly do they work?
To help you understand the true power of antioxidants and which products pack an antioxidant punch, we explain what they are and why you should include antioxidant-rich products in your skin care regime.
1. So what is an Antioxidant?
Antioxidants protect the skin from environmental damage and pollutants which can compromise the skin's integrity. They actively work to defend the skin when under attack. How good is that?
They do this by neutralising free radicals before they can cause harm to the skin. Antioxidants essentially latch onto the free radicals acting as a barrier between the free radical and the healthy skin molecule. In doing so they discourage damage to the skin molecule which minimises inflammation within the skin and lays the foundation for optimal skin health. To top it off, healthy skin can better defend itself against external pollutants, UV damage and dehydration further increasing your skin health.
2. The Hero's of Antioxidants
The most potent forms of antioxidants include Vitamins E, A and C. These guys pack a serious antioxidant punch!
Vitamin E in particular (often referred to as Tocopherol Acetate or Tocopherol Phosphate in skin care) is one of the most effective antioxidants found in skin care products. Vitamin E has a unique multi-function action of successfully delivering antioxidants to the outer layers of the skin while providing barrier protection to the surface of the skin which helps to maintain moisture retention.
The form of Vitamin E to look for is Tocopherol Phosphate. Tocopherol Phosphate is a naturally occurring form of vitamin E, as opposed to Tocopherol Acetate which is synthetic. While both have the ability to provide anti-ageing and healing benefits to the skin, Tocopherol Phosphate is in a class of its own. This is due to its ability to reduce membrane fluidity, cleanse, and prevent free radical transfer from one polyunsaturated fat to another - reducing further free radical damage to the skin. One of the only moisturisers to contain Tocopherol Phosphate is Neutriderm's Vitamin E Moisturising Lotion.
If plump, soft, healthy looking skin is what you're after, this is a unique antioxidant and one to look for when purchasing creams, oils and serums.
3. Who Can Benefit From Antioxidants in Skin Care?
Antioxidants are beneficial for a variety of skin concerns. Commonly praised for their ability to help fight ageing and build the skin's immunity thanks to fighting free radicals, antioxidants also play a vital role in supporting skin which may suffer from:
- Inflammation
- Dry and dehydrated skins
- Atopic skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis
- Ageing and premature ageing
- Environmentally damaged skin including pigmentation
Inflamed and compromised skins negatively impact the skin's rejuvenation process. By calming inflammation, antioxidants create the environment for skin to repair itself and correct visible damage. Healthy skin is less likely to show the visible signs of environmental damage which includes dry skin, signs of premature ageing, pigmentation and more. Antioxidants are essential for the integrity of all skins to ensure they function at their best.
Neutriderm Moisturising Lotion is an antioxidant-rich product designed to restore and maintain moisture levels within the skin for long lasting hydration thanks to its dermatologically endorsed formulation:
- Vitamin E Tocopherol Phosphate - when applied topically helps to nourish and protect your skin from damage caused by free radicals.
- Sodium PCA - increases the water content of the skin's surface by drawing moisture from the surrounding air.
- Glycerin - a humectant used for its ability to draw water into the outer layer of the skin for increased hydration levels.
