You’ve likely heard about antioxidants. You know, those little substances that are behind the superfood craze and are touted to have all sorts of superhuman benefits? They’re more than just powerhouses that help boost your health, they also provide a desirable glow-up for your skin. This is exactly why it’s important to become well-versed in what antioxidants are and how to get more daily. Below, we cover it all.
Before we go on, let’s learn -- What do antioxidants do and what are they, anyway?
By definition antioxidants are molecules that fight free radicals in your body.
Too scientific? Here’s what that means broken down to simpler terms: free radicals are pesky substances that can be harmful if too many of them are in your body. They’re often linked to diabetes and other high-risk diseases.
That’s where antioxidants come into play. They work to neutralize these pests and keep your body healthier/in check.
What types of antioxidants are there?
There are various types of antioxidants. If we want to be more literal, there are thousands. Many things can act as antioxidants and are found either within the body or by taking in certain foods.
The ones you’re probably most familiar with are Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Beta-Carotene, and minerals. Yet, there are a bunch of others that are just as important; Lipoic Acid, glutathione, coenzyme Q10, flavonoids, and polyphenols. Most of these are naturally occurring and while we won’t go into the specifics on all of them (more on different forms below), we will say there are myriad antioxidants, and it’s always important to chat with your doctor to see which ones you may need more of.
Now that’s covered -- How do antioxidants help your skin?
Glad you asked. This is the most important aspect of the article, isn’t it? Antioxidants and your skin: a true love story.
While aging is inevitable, it can be slowed with the right diet and close attention given to ingredients in your skincare. Case-in-point with antioxidants.
Antioxidant benefits for your skin are as follows:
They help repair damage from Mr. Sun. Yes, these little guys can offer protection against UV rays that do nasty things to your beautiful complexion. (This is precisely why we added Marula Oil (which is antioxidant-rich) into our 01 Luminous Face Oil.)
They calm inflammation. Known for their restorative properties, antioxidants can help ease inflammation and redness in the skin. The result? Fewer breakouts!
They slow premature aging. Keyword: slow. While antioxidants can help reduce the appearance of fine lines, they aren’t from the elusive Fountain of Youth.
Finally, what are foods with antioxidants?
Now that you know some of the most important things about how antioxidants benefit your skin, let’s get to what you can eat to ensure you have high levels and can reap the skin benefits of them!
Tomatoes
Surprised you with this one, right? Tomatoes seem so simple. Yet, they’ve been hiding delicious antioxidants all along! Known to be high in the naturally occurring antioxidant Lycopene, these vegetables (dare we be new age and say fruits?) can help boost smooth skin. So slice one up and throw it in a salad for a skin-loving lunch.
Strawberries
We all know and love these little red berries that are high in Vitamin C, an antioxidant powerhouse (that our skin loves, too!) . After all, Vitamin C is known to help brighten your complexion and fight off pesky lines.
Grapes
Do we know this list is beginning to look like a child’s snack list but isn’t that the best part? Simple and effective! Grapes are one of the highest sources of polyphenols, a type of antioxidant that boosts protection against environmental stressors, fights against sunspots, and helps prevent early-onset wrinkles.
Salmon
The pink fish of skin love! Salmon is super high in Omega 3’s, a prominent antioxidant that can help tighten and firm complexions. Sworn by many celebs as their go-to meal weekly, it’s with little wonder that salmon is one of the most popular dishes for antioxidant-rich diets.
If you made it this far, you’re an antioxidant mega-expert! How does it feel to be so knowledgeable on how to get your daily dose of them? We hope *glowingly* good! If you want to extend your antioxidant intake to your skincare routine, be sure to reach for our skincare line which is specially formulated (and all-natural) to be rich in skin-loving antioxidants. Shop all products here.