Antioxidants are basically vitamins and nutrients that have beneficial effects on us. By applying antioxidants topically to skin, it helps to prevent skin damage and also has amazing benefits to skin. This is why we use them so much in our natural skincare. At Nakin we only promote natural antioxidants in skincare, which is where vitamins and nutrients are included in skincare like our anti-ageing skincare, solely from plant sources.

Antioxidants help to prevent signs of skin ageing, especially when the skin is under stress from diet, sun damage and pollution. Antioxidants also work to improve current skin issues by rejuvenating skin and easing lines, wrinkles, age spots, dullness and other visible signs of ageing. Regular use of antioxidant skincare will help to improve cell function, increase collagen production and elasticity. Like most natural skincare options, it takes time to see results, and it is more about keeping skin looking as healthy and fresh as possible.

Antioxidants are natural, but sometimes they are included in skincare products in a chemical format, such as retinol and many vitamin C products. But we believe only natural antioxidants should be used on the skin. So be mindful of this when picking antioxidant skincare, as giving your skin natural antioxidants is a natural way to keep skin looking youthful and fresh, without using harsh potentially irritating ingredients. The best skincare products use completely natural forms of vitamins found directly from plants, and are processed using natural methods to maintain their organic state and purity.

What Are Antioxidants?

Wikipedia describe antioxidants as compounds that inhibit oxidation. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that can produce free radicals, thereby leading to chain reactions that may damage the cells of organisms. Antioxidants are basically vitamins and micronutrients with high nutrient value, and the ability to keep our skin healthy. We need to eat many antioxidants in our diet, from foods such as fruits and vegetables. There are also antioxidants in most good skincare as they are applied topically to fight skin damage, and this is why Nakin’s Anti-Ageing Skincare is packed with antioxidants.

What Are Free Radicals?

Free radicals are caused by oxidative stress in our systems. They especially appear when our system is under strain from stressors like processed food, alcohol, UV light, pesticides and pollution. Live Science describe free radicals as when oxygen in the body splits into single atoms with unpaired electrons. Electrons like to be in pairs, so these atoms, called free radicals, scavenge the body to seek out other electrons, so they can become a pair. This causes damage to our cells, protein and DNA. Free radicals are also associated with human disease, which is why it is so important to eat a healthy diet full of antioxidants to help fight this. In this feature we are only looking at how applying antioxidants to skin will benefit it, this is because they fight off the free radical damage, to keep skin fresh and youthful looking. Free radicals have the ability to cause skin damage and premature skin ageing, and antioxidants in skincare are able to fight off this damage

The Best Antioxidants for Skin

There are many different types of natural form antioxidants that can be used in face products, some of the main important antioxidants that are great for skin are listed below.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is found naturally in many natural skincare ingredients like pomegranate. It is used in skincare products as it helps to brighten skin, so is great to help with an uneven skin tone. Great also if you live in a polluted area, which is usually near a large city. Our anti-ageing Performance Face Serum £25 for 50ml contains many natural antioxidants from plants to help treat lines, UV damage and an uneven skin tone. It is full of amazing plant extracts like line smoothing hibiscus, plumping hyaluronic acid and antioxidants, such as pomegranate for all around skin improvement.

Beta Carotene

Natural plant retinoids include beta carotene which are ingredients found in extracts like apricot kernel oil. These plant oils offer protection and enhancement, but without any of the irritation. Our anti-ageing Revitalising Face Oil £22 for 50ml is a face treatment product that calms, conditions and energises skin with the best plant oils like argan, baobab and peach kernel oil.

Vitamin E

This skin-loving vitamin is found naturally in many plant oils, seeds, nuts and vegetables. We especially love it in jojoba oil, as it is such a nice oil for skin. This is why we include it in our moisturisers. Our anti-ageing Matt Formula Face Cream £20 for 50ml is a face cream for oily, normal, combination and sensitive skin. It provides long lasting smooth hydration without greasiness. This is from the natural blend of plant actives to hydrate, condition and protect skin from things like pollution. Our anti-ageing Active Dew Face Cream £20 for 50ml is for dry, normal, combination and sensitive skin. It is the best face cream if you have drier skin, or like a rich cream and dewy finish and offers excellent antioxidant protection.

Polyphenols

Polyphenol antioxidants include flavonoids and phenolic plant compounds. These micronutrients are found naturally in many plants including chocolate, berries, beans, nuts, brightly coloured fruit and vegetables like berries, as well as green tea. It is also found in ingredients like olive oil and baobab oil. Our anti-ageing Eye Cream Complex £18 for 15ml is packed with antioxidants like green tea, to give the skin around eyes silky soft hydration and combat dark circles, wrinkles and puffing.

We hope that you found our feature helpful, about the benefits of antioxidants in skincare. This is why our face products are packed with them to make the best skincare products possible. Nakin are dedicated to achieving beautiful skin at every age, using the best natural ingredients. To find out more about Nakin and our award winning anti-ageing skincare then visit us at www.nakinskincare.com Nakin produce natural face products for all skin types, including sensitive skin. The full range can be found here and is designed to help skin to thrive and flourish by using the best plant active ingredients. Everything is cruelty free and made in the UK.