Why are antioxidants used in cosmetics?

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Antioxidants and oxidative stress. You probably get the impression that these concepts are talked about a lot, but rarely are they explained what they really are. And these are phenomena that affect each of us every day, so it is worth understanding the importance and impact they have on the body, including the skin.

As you can probably guess, not all cosmetics that talk about their antioxidant properties are created equal. Therefore, it is worth knowing which ingredients actually affect the neutralization of oxidants, as well as what we can achieve with such substances. In this article, you will find an explanation related to the topic of antioxidants, as well as learn how to influence them through diet and care.

What are free radicals?

Before we start talking about antioxidants and antioxidant activity, it's worth starting at the beginning. More specifically, what free radicals are, because they are what we direct our actions against. Free radicals, otherwise known as oxidizing agents, are active forms of oxygen that have been unpaired. This means that atoms or molecules of this kind will seek to find and attach their missing part, the electron. Obtaining electrons from effective elements leads to serious cellular damage.

What is worth noting is that the formation of free radicals is a natural process for which the body has developed defenses. However, in order for this defense to work, it is necessary to protect the body from pollution and stress, as well as to take care of a healthy lifestyle, a properly balanced diet, exercise, etc. If we are not able to fully take care of protecting our body, it will need help to fight free radicals. This is where antioxidants come to the rescue.

Antioxidants - what are they?

Antioxidants are naturally occurring chemicals that neutralize the damaging effects of oxidants and also inhibit their formation. This is an extremely important action, because free radicals can cause a variety of damage to the body. Looking for the nearest electron, they can find protein atoms instead of oxygen atoms. Protein structure is then damaged, which in turn can lead to damage to cell membranes or DNA. Such serious changes can lead to more serious consequences, such as deterioration of the epidermis, to really dangerous ones, such as cancer, atherosclerosis, dementia, internal diseases, etc.

The antioxidant effect of antioxidants is to inhibit the action of free radicals, i.e., to prevent the formation of oxidative reactions in the body. Thanks to these chemical compounds we can prevent premature skin aging and many diseases caused by free radical activity.

Antioxidants in the diet

We most often hear about antioxidant process in the context of cosmetics and grooming, but we hardly mention how we can use antioxidant activity in our diet as well. However, we should keep in mind that antioxidants in the form of food or supplements, will not have as effective an effect on the skin. This is because the substances that go into the body are distributed throughout the body, so little of it gets to the skin itself. If we care about the proper action of antioxidants, it is worth integrating them into our skincare routine with appropriate cosmetics. However, if we care about their activity in the interest of health, it is better to use natural antioxidants found in food.

If you're still having trouble understanding what antioxidants are, perhaps highlighting them in the ingredients of our daily diet will better clarify the subject. Below you will find a list of what natural antioxidants we consume, where they are most abundant, and how they work. To begin with, it's worth knowing that there are two types of antioxidants we consume. The first are endogenous antioxidants, i.e., those that are produced by the body itself. The second group are exogenous antioxidants, i.e., those that we provide externally, such as in the form of food or supplements. In the following description, we will focus primarily on exogenous antioxidants, because it is their amount that we can influence.

You probably won't be surprised to learn that the most antioxidants are found in fruits and vegetables, especially those that we can eat raw. In fact, the easiest way to provide ourselves with antioxidants is to eat a varied diet rich in fruits and vegetables, because a large amount of them alone is enough to protect us from oxidative stress. One of the most popular antioxidants we can provide ourselves with are vitamins, more specifically vitamins C, A, and E. In the case of the former, you should consume plenty of citrus fruits, rosehips, parsley or peppers. Vitamin C not only lightens pigmentation, but also supports overall skin regeneration.

The next of the vitamins is most often found in yellow fruits and vegetables, but also, interestingly, in dairy products and egg yolks. The latter, i.e. vitamin E, has its source in nuts, whole-grain products, as well as spinach and mangoes. Not without reason it is called the vitamin of youth, because it provides a complex action to keep the skin in excellent condition.

In addition to vitamins, you should also look for ingredients such as beta-carotene, lutein, zinc, flavonoids, alpha-lipoic acid, selenium, polyphenols, lutein and lycopene. The list of natural antioxidants is truly endless. So a healthy and balanced diet is enough to easily provide your body with the right amount of them, which will effectively fight the activity of free radicals.

Antioxidants in cosmetics - examples

When searching for the perfect cosmetic product with antioxidant activity, it is worth knowing what are the strongest antioxidants we can find in care products. The first are polyphenols, which inhibit the production of free radicals, and depending on the form in which they occur, they can also exhibit other therapeutic actions. The second group of antioxidant compounds are carotenoids. Through their action, you will see effects such as reducing pigmentation, regenerating the skin, restoring the natural hydro-lipid barrier, and getting protection from photo aging. Other substances that can be found in cosmetics are coenzyme Q10, glutathione, vitamin C, A, E, lipoic acid, enzymatic proteins, various plant extracts, such as those from grapes and ginkgo biloba.