You know how important it is to eat your fruits and veggies, especially brightly-colored ones. A large reason why those nutritional powerhouses are so important is because they contain antioxidants (and yup, so does that glass of red wine!).
Just as we (aim to) fuel our body with healthy foods every day, we should strive to feed our skin with the nutrients it needs to look and feel its best. We recommend using a topical antioxidant, daily. Luckily, all of the amazing antioxidants your skin needs are available in a bottle. (When, oh when, will making a healthy dinner be that easy? We’re waiting…)
All of our products at KRS are antioxidant-based. Because we love them! Antioxidants have been the foundation of our products from the start because they are that important. Really, we can’t stop going on about them. So, let us tell you about how amazing these tiny superheroes are!
What do antioxidants do?
In short, a whole lot. In the course of a normal day, our skin is assaulted by pollution and harmful UV rays (even if we wear sunscreen like we should, a small amount of UV still sneaks through). It’s a recipe for free radicals: damaging molecules that accelerate aging by altering DNA in our cells and causing the breakdown of collagen and elastin. Antioxidants absorb loose electrons that cause oxidative stress and damage, fighting free radicals on the microscopic level.
Antioxidants:
- Combat the effects of pollution
- Firm your skin and fight wrinkles
- Brighten your skin by preventing age spots and abnormal skin pigmentation
- Soothe your skin by harnessing anti-inflammatory properties, fading redness and helping to clear conditions such as acne
- Help prevent sunburn (but they’re not a substitute for sunscreen, folks!)
- Help your skin repair itself from damage
- Protects collagen, the structural protein that is abundant in youthful skin and gives it a firm, smooth appearance
Michelle from LabMuffin has so much great information about antioxidants in her article, Antioxidants in Skincare: What Do They Do?
Michelle, a chemistry PhD and science educator with a passion for determining which beauty products are truly effective, emphasizes that combinations of antioxidants perform better than a single antioxidant alone due to their synergistic properties.
When should you apply antioxidants? Apply daily, for best results. After all, you eat every day, right? Feed your skin the same way. Because antioxidants work best preventatively, it’s helpful to apply them so they can intercept free radicals, instead of counting on them to counteract the effects of damage.
Meet your friendly antioxidants!
All KRS products are antioxidant-based. Here are a few of the amazing antioxidants you’ll find in our products, with a tiny bit about what they do!
Vitamin C protects the skin from environmental damage and neutralizes free radicals that age the skin. It works to protect collagen, reduces redness and clears up your skin, alleviating conditions such as acne.
CoQ10 is produced naturally in the human body and is very important for a healthy skin. It aids in skin regeneration and repair and is essential in producing collagen.
Vitamin E is a superstar antioxidant that protects the skin against damaging free radicals, reduces brown spots and will help to heal and fade scars associated with inflammation in the skin.
Retinol (Vitamin A) minimizes pore size, promotes a brighter complexion and prevents + decreases fine lines and wrinkles.
Resveratrol is the antioxidant found in grapes and red wine. It reduces inflammation and protects your cells against oxidative damage, keeping your skin youthful and bright with minimal lines and wrinkles.
EGCG is the potent polyphenol found in green tea. It reduces inflammation, fights free radicals and protects against breakouts by controlling sebum in the skin.
Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) offers antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits for the skin. Topical B3 decreases melanin synthesis, giving the skin a more even skin tone by fading dark spots (hyperpigmentation) and works to soothe and heal skin conditions such as rosacea and acne.
Phloretin is a flavonoid found in apples with wonderful anti-aging skin benefits due to its antioxidant activity. It reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, aids in evening out skin tone and improves the appearance of discoloration.
Lycopene is a unique carotenoid found in red, yellow and orange vegetables. It inhibits the breakdown of collagen, helping to strengthen the skin and keep it looking youthful. Lycopene also reduces inflammation, stabilizes DNA structure in skin cells and may even offer protection against the harmful UV rays of the sun.
Curcumin is bright yellow in color and better known as turmeric. Among the many skin benefits are fighting free radicals, age prevention, and reduction of age spots and hyperpigmentation for a more even skin tone. Curcumin also has anti-acne and anti-irritation properties which accelerate wound healing and promote a clear skin surface. You'll see these listed in Kate Ryan products as: Tetrahydrocurcuminoids - Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane (and) Tetrahydrodemethoxydiferulolymethane (and) Tetrahydrobisdemethoxydiferulolymethane - not all difficult-to-pronounce ingredients are bad - some of them might be the best actives in your skincare product!
A quick and easy, feel-good way to add a burst of antioxidants to your daily skincare routine is with a facial mist. Our facial mist is loaded with antioxidants, smells heavenly and can be used practically anywhere!
Have questions? Send us a note at hello@kateryanskincare.com
