Antioxidants Explained: The Key to Healthy, Ageless Skin.
For many of us, achieving youthful, radiant skin is the ultimate skincare goal. We’ve all read countless beauty articles or followed skincare experts, but sometimes the jargon can leave us wondering what we actually need to do to slow down the ageing process. With so many terms thrown around in product marketing, it’s easy to get lost in the details. To clear up the confusion, let’s break down the essentials of antioxidants, free radicals, and the roles of Vitamins C and E in maintaining healthy skin.
Antioxidants Rich Diet.
Antioxidants are molecules that protect our cells from damage caused by free radicals (more on those later). These powerful substances are found in many natural foods, including fruits, vegetables, and—good news—wine and chocolate!
Antioxidants come from essential nutrients like vitamins and minerals, and they play a key role in helping our bodies fight off oxidative stress. Some studies suggest that antioxidants may help prevent chronic conditions such as heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s, while also supporting overall skin health.
What are Free Radicals?
In the beauty world, free radicals are often seen as “scavengers” that damage our cells, proteins, and DNA. They’re associated with ageing, which can be thought of as the gradual accumulation of this damage over time. Free radicals can result from various factors like diet, stress, smoking, alcohol, inflammation, and exposure to environmental pollutants like sunlight and air pollution.
The Power of Vitamins C & E
Vitamins C and E are two of the most well-known antioxidants that protect the body from free radical damage. It’s generally recommended to consume 5-8 servings of fruits and vegetables per day to support your antioxidant intake.
- Vitamin C is a water-soluble antioxidant that the body doesn’t store, meaning we need to replenish it regularly. It’s recommended to consume around 75-90 mg daily, which you can easily get from foods like citrus fruits, strawberries, and dark leafy greens. Vitamin C helps reduce inflammation, neutralise free radicals, and keep your skin looking vibrant. For an extra boost, our Skin Vit C supplement offers 500mg of Vitamin C along with Acerola Berry and zinc.
- Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant that plays a key role in protecting fats in the body from oxidation. Research continues to explore how Vitamin E helps prevent free radical production, supporting skin health, immune function, and the slowing of the aging process. You can find Vitamin E in foods like nuts, seeds, avocado, broccoli, and leafy greens like spinach and kale.
Treating Skin from the Inside Out
In addition to nourishing your body with antioxidant-rich foods, it’s equally important to protect your skin externally. Topical products containing Vitamins C and E help reinforce the skin’s natural defenses against UV rays and environmental pollutants, while also reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation.
At Beauty Haven Belfast we proudly offer the Environ range, which is packed with antioxidants to help your skin thrive. Here are our top three best-selling products:
- Antioxidant & Peptide Eye Gel: A fan favourite, this eye gel is rich in Vitamins C and E, protecting the delicate eye area from environmental stress. Peptides stimulate collagen and elastin production, helping to smooth fine lines and wrinkles.
- Vita-Antioxidant AVST Moisturiser: Packed with Vitamin A, this moisturiser helps repair and normalise skin cells, while protecting against environmental damage. It’s a powerful ally in combating visible signs of ageing by stimulating collagen and improving skin texture.
- Vita-Antioxidant Hydrating Oil Capsules: A luxurious treat for your skin, these capsules hydrate and energise by enriching the skin’s natural oils. After using one capsule at night, you’ll wake up with silky-smooth skin, thanks to improved cell metabolism and growth.
This is just a small sample of our Environ range. If you have any questions or would like to discuss the best products for your skin, feel free to get in touch!