With more skincare fans (and products!) getting onboard with antioxidants, it’s a great time to get clued up on how they can work in your routine.
Today we’re deep-diving on antioxidants and skincare, plus taking a look at some of the best K-Beauty products you’ll find them in.
What Are Antioxidants?
Simply put, antioxidants are compounds that protect against free radicals. Free radicals are damaging molecules caused by factors like UV and pollution. They can have all sorts of negative short and long-term effects on you and your skin.
In the context of your skin, free radicals can cause concerns like dullness, dark spots, uneven texture and fine lines.
As a general rule of thumb, the more antioxidants you use, the better your body will be protected against free radicals.
So how to get an antioxidant hit?
Aside from eating antioxidant rich foods, we can also topically apply them through our skincare routines. Let’s have a look at some of the most common antioxidants you’ll find in skincare.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is one of the skincare antioxidants you’d typically find available – and for good reason. Pure Vitamin C (also known as L-ascorbic acid) is not only a great antioxidant, but also has brightening and anti-inflammatory properties. This antioxidant also stimulates collagen production, which plays a role in improving the appearance of aging skin.
A great way to incorporate Vitamin C into your routine is with a serum.
One of our current favourites is COSRX Vitamin C Serum . This serum helps improve skin's brightness. COSRX's potent serum is formulated with a stabilized form of Vitamin C at a pH of 3.36. This assists to minimise reactions when the product comes into contact with air.
Ingredients like Sea Buckthornare also naturally high in Vitamin C:
Vitamin A
Retinol (a derivative of Vitamin A) has a tried and true reputation for doing a Benjamin Button on your skin. With a smaller molecular structure than many other antioxidants, retinol is able to deeply penetrate into the skin. This can help to stimulate collagen production and promote cell renewal.
What you’ll see on the surface? Smoothing fine lines, wrinkles and more even skin tone. While stronger retinol products are available with a medical prescription, a gentler way to introduce them into your skincare routine can be through a moisturiser.
We particularly like APLB’s Retinol Vitamin A Moisture Cream, with a luxuriously thick texture that spreads easily once applied to the skin.
Glutathione
Good news! Glutathione is an antioxidant that your body naturally produces (your liver, to be exact). Made up of amino acids glutamine, glycine and cysteine, it’s great for:
1 Firstly, boosting immunity; 2 Secondly, delaying cell damage; and 3 Finallyp it rotects your DNA.
When it comes to skincare, glutathione can slow down the effects of ageing and can help with uneven skin tone and lightening dark spots.
For pigmentation-busting goodness, try an essence like APLB’s Glutathione Hyaluronic Acid Essence. It not only provides elasticity, it also supplies nutrition for more youthful looking skin.
In adIition, i you’re looking to incorporate glutathione into the later steps of your routine, APLB’s Glutathione Brightening Tone Up Cream. It can not only reduces the appearance of enlarged pores, it also improves the appearance of wrinkles.
To find out more about K-Beauty antioxidants, tune into the Korean Beauty Show podcast:
Resveratrol
You’ve probably heard that because it’s packed with antioxidants, a glass of red wine a night can be good for your health. The antioxidant found in red wine is resveratrol, which is also in grapes (of course!), dark chocolate, seeds and nuts. Resveratrol can help protect against damage caused by UV radiation. This is because it stimulates healthy cell generation.
Centella Asiatica
If the name doesn’t sound familiar, maybe you’ve heard of this antioxidant by one of its other names, including tiger grass and Cica. This plant-based antioxidant is rich in amino acids. It also contains incredible hydration, which makes it ideal for sensitive skin.
These days, you’ll often see Centella asiatica in ‘Cica’ products, a term for the antioxidant used in K-Beauty. Dr Jart has an entire Cicapair range dedicated to Centella asiatica. We love Subi Brightening Powder Cleanser.
Have you tried antioxidants in your skincare? Let us know your favourites in the comments!
