Cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen should always form the basis of any good skin-care regimen; however, adding an antioxidant serum could be useful as well. Antioxidants help combat free radicals – dangerous molecules which steal electrons from healthy cells – that accelerate aging and damage DNA – while anti-aging serums work against free radicals too.
Olay’s GH Seal Star Olay formula features vitamin C and peptides as well as firming agent niacinamide to reduce dark spots while brightening, lasting 24 hours after application.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C has long been used to support health, from immune-enhancing supplements and drinks like orange juice, to scientific research studies that prove its power against wrinkles. But beyond its traditional applications, its power as an antioxidant also extends to your skin, with multiple studies documenting its efficacy.
Search for a serum that utilizes L-ascorbic acid as the water-soluble form of vitamin C; this should be near the top of its ingredient list to allow maximum absorption by your skin. Also look out for ingredients like vitamin E to stabilize it and ferulic acid to lower pH levels and allow your skin to fully benefit from antioxidant protection.
Mary Kay scientists designed a powerful serum to combat oxidative stress, which causes fine lines and loss of firmness. At its heart lies pure vitamin C (ascorbic acid), wrapped up within vitamin E (a-tocopherol) microspheres for maximum dynamic interaction.
Coenzyme Q10
Coenzyme Q10, more commonly referred to by its scientific name Ubiquinone, is an antioxidant produced naturally in our bodies that’s essential to cell energy production in mitochondria. Coenzyme Q10’s skin benefits include relieving effects of oxidative stress while fighting against signs of aging for a healthier-looking complexion and fighting oxidative stress.
Topical application of Q10 at concentrations that mimic those found within epidermal cells led to an increase in oxygen consumption rate (OCR) among cultured human keratinocytes, suggesting either absorption by epidermis cells or conversion of topically applied ubiquinone to ubiquinol, exerting its antioxidant qualities as CoQ10.
CoQ10 can also aid in the prevention of LDL oxidation in the bloodstream, protecting against cardiovascular disease. Studies have also demonstrated its beneficial properties to reduce exercise-related oxidative damage as well as increase recovery times in patients suffering from coronary artery disease.
Alpha Lipoic Acid
alpha lipoic acid should also be considered an antioxidant powerhouse in your arsenal, alongside vitamins C and Q10. Produced naturally within mitochondria, alpha lipoic acid can be found in vegetables, red meat, organ meats and supplements.
ALA is a powerful dietary antioxidant that can both prevent and treat diabetes, by decreasing blood sugar and improving insulin sensitivity, as well as decreasing oxidative stress levels and slowing Alzheimer’s progression.
Studies indicate that ALA may help treat glaucoma, while research on aging skin shows it can reduce fine lines caused by sun damage. By binding to cross-linking proteins that lead to wrinkles and hardening of arteries, it inhibits their formation. It’s safe for most adults when taken orally or topically and even pregnant women can take advantage of using it during their pregnancies.
Ferulic Acid
Ferulic acid is a potency antioxidant commonly found in anti-aging serum. It works as a free radical scavenger, protecting vitamin C and other ingredients from degradation.
Vitamin E’s antioxidant properties can also be enhanced, helping prevent oxygen-free radical formation that causes cell damage and sunburn, wrinkle formation, new blood vessel formation, inflammation reduction and reduce.
Ferulic acid can be found in some supplements, but for maximum efficacy it’s best used in conjunction with other anti-aging ingredients in a serum formulation. Peter Thomas Roth’s Potent-C Power Serum features this powerful ingredient to increase vitamin C’s efficacy; it features 15% pure L-ascorbic acid and 1% alpha tocopherol for maximum effectiveness.
Green Tea
Green tea contains antioxidants that can help lower cholesterol, which clogs arteries and leads to heart disease. Catechins present in tea – specifically epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) – can assist in lowering “bad” and total cholesterol, thus decreasing your risk for cardiovascular disease or stroke (1).
Studies suggest that drinking green tea could provide protection from osteoporosis by increasing bone density and halting loss of mass (2). Green tea also contains compounds which aid blood sugar regulation (3).
Green tea contains polyphenols like quercetin and theaflavins which may help prevent type 2 diabetes by decreasing fasting blood sugar levels (4). Furthermore, studies have demonstrated that drinking green tea increases thermogenesis – helping you burn calories (5).
