GLOW GETTERS
ANTIOXIDANTS ARE FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT EVERYDAY, SO HERE’S HOW TO BOLSTER THIS FRONTLINE DEFENCE
Antioxidants — we know they’re in tea and we know they’re good for us, but this scientific buzzword may also hold the key to maintaining youthful skin.
Antioxidants are produced in our bodies and found in food. In food, they help to fight oxidisation — which is when oxygen causes decay — and in our bodies, they help to defend our cells from damage caused by free radicals.
“When it comes to the free radicals in our bodies, they technically are unstable molecules produced when our bodies are under stress,” Biologi dermal specialist Lucy Kuper explains.
“Free radicals cause skin damage which appears in the form of breakouts, dark spots, hyper-pigmentation and the worst part is they can accelerate the ageing process, so more fine lines and wrinkles.”
That’s why there’s lots of beauty products on the market containing antioxidant ingredients — they can protect the skin from these harmful free radicals, found in the air, pollution, cigarette smoke and in our bodies.
Lucy says antioxidants are sourced from plants and cover a broad range of active ingredients.
“Antioxidants is the umbrella term for naturally occurring phyto actives like vitamin C, polyphenols and phenolic acids which can be found in most plants because they contain these compounds,” she says.
“Antioxidants provide a defence system against free radicals by neutralising them and donating one of their own electrons, which then helps to prevent cell and tissue damage.
“Put simply, antioxidants are what you want in your food, body and in your skincare.”
These plant-derived protectors are especially helpful in the warmer weather when you’re soaking up the sun.
“Antioxidants are particularly great in summer because it’s likely that you’re getting additional sun exposure and, as a result, excess free radicals,” Lucy says.
“So if you’re not protecting your skin and amping up its access to antioxidants, skin can appear lacklustre, be prone to breakouts and showing signs of ageing.
“You can optimise your skincare routine by applying a serum like Biologi’s Bd Face Luminosity Serum, which is packed with antioxidants and will leave your skin looking fresh and regenerated.”