Antioxidants are all the rage and a bit of a buzzword. Antioxidants are vitamins and minerals that come from natural sources. They fight free radicals, which are the compounds in food and air that attack human cells and accelerate aging. To stay healthy and looking your best, eat foods that contain antioxidants and apply antioxidants to your skin. Who doesn’t want that?
Fights Wrinkles
Because antioxidants fight free radicals that can damage the skin, they help prevent wrinkles, dull skin, dry skin and dark eye circles. Wow! Blueberries and acai berries contain antioxidants. If you use acai oil on your skin, it may help with sun-damaged skin and to smooth wrinkles.
Look for skin care products that contain alpha-lipoic acid, an antioxidant, to erase wrinkles and fine lines and diminish pores.
Vitamin A and its derivatives, such as retinol, promote collagen production, which plumps the skin. Retinol also reduces discoloration and patchiness.
You can use vitamin C to help stimulate collagen production by using creams and lotions or by eating oranges and broccoli.
A bright orange enzyme, coenzyme Q-10, helps with crow’s feet, which are the wrinkles around your eyes. Toners and gels that contain this enzyme will be orange or yellow.
Exfoliates
Alpha-hydroxy acids are glycolic, citric, lactic and tartaric acids. These acids remove dead skin cells, leaving your skin softer and smoother. Exfoliating the skin also reduces age spots, acne scars, fine lines and discoloration. You can use low-concentration peels that you can buy at the drugstore, or you can go to a dermatologist for a higher-concentration peel.
Fights Skin Cancer
Caffeine may help to ward off skin cancer by attacking tumors before they form, according to WebMD. Some lotions and creams contain caffeine.
Green tea may also have anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties that help prevent skin tumors that lead to skin cancer, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Green tea contains polyphenols, which are like antioxidants. When using green tea extract on your skin or under sunscreen, you can protect yourself twice as much against skin cancer.
Fights Acne
Salicylic acid penetrates pores to fight blackheads and whiteheads. It also exfoliates the skin. People who are allergic or women who are pregnant or nursing should not use products that contain salicylic acid, according to WebMD.
