In the realm of skincare, a term that has gained significant attention and reverence is “antioxidants.” These remarkable compounds aren’t just another passing trend – they hold the key to unlocking radiant, youthful, and healthy skin, all while embracing the principles of holistic, sustainable, and green beauty. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the world of antioxidants, exploring what they are, their transformative effects on the skin, and why your skincare routine should never be without them.

Understanding Antioxidants: Nature’s Defense Mechanism

Antioxidants are naturally occurring compoundboth the bobboths found in various foods and skincare ingredients. Their primary role is to combat oxidative stress caused by free radicals – unstable molecules that damage cells, leading to premature aging, dullness, and a weakened skin barrier. Think of antioxidants as your skin’s loyal bodyguards, fending off these harmful free radicals and preserving your skin’s health and integrity.

Holistic skincare emphasizes the interconnectedness of health and self-care, focusing on nurturing your skin from both inside and out. Antioxidants align perfectly with this philosophy, working harmoniously with your skin’s natural processes and promoting long-term vitality. By incorporating antioxidants into your routine, you’re not only addressing current skincare concerns but also investing in the health of your skin for years to come.

Free Radicals Explained Simply

Free radicals in the context of cosmetics refer to highly reactive molecules that can damage skin cells. These molecules are usually oxygen-containing compounds and are often generated by external factors.

Examples of External Factors include:

• Air Pollution – Pollutants like car exhaust, industrial emissions, and cigarette smoke contain compounds that generate free radicals when inhaled. These free radicals can contribute to oxidative stress and damage to lung tissues.
• UV Radiation -Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun can lead to the production of free radicals in the skin. These radicals can damage skin cells and contribute to premature aging, wrinkles, and even skin cancer.
• Cigarette Smoke – Tobacco smoke is a significant source of free radicals due to the numerous chemicals it contains. Smoking leads to oxidative stress and can damage cells throughout the body.
• Pesticides and Herbicides – Certain agricultural chemicals, like pesticides and herbicides, can generate free radicals when they interact with living tissues. This can impact both the environment and human health.
• Processed Foods – Some processed foods, especially those high in unhealthy fats and additives, can lead to the production of free radicals when consumed. This oxidative stress can contribute to chronic diseases.
• Alcohol – Excessive alcohol consumption can increase the production of free radicals in the body. It can also impair the body’s ability to neutralize these radicals, leading to cellular damage.
• Heavy Metals – Metals such as lead, mercury, and cadmium can generate free radicals and cause oxidative stress when they accumulate in the body. This can happen through exposure to contaminated air, water, or food.
• Strenuous Exercise – Due to increased activation of aerobic bioenergetic pathways during endurance exercise, substrate depletion and exercise-induced hyperthermia.
• Radiation – Ionizing radiation from sources like X-rays and certain medical procedures can generate free radicals in tissues. This can lead to DNA damage and increase the risk of cancer.
• Household Chemicals – Some household cleaning products, cosmetics, and personal care items can contain chemicals that release free radicals when they interact with air or other substances.
• Industrial Chemicals – Exposure to certain industrial chemicals, such as those found in paints, solvents, and cleaning agents, can result in the production of free radicals and contribute to cellular damage.
• Infectious Agents – Infections and injuries trigger the body’s immune response. Immune cells called macrophages produce free radicals while fighting off invading germs. These free radicals can damage healthy cells, leading to inflammation.
• Fried and Grilled Foods – Cooking foods at high temperatures, especially frying and grilling, can lead to the formation of free radicals in the food. When consumed, these radicals can contribute to oxidative stress in the body.

Free Radicals are also produced by our bodies as a naturally occurring metabolic process in other words being alive! All living organisms create and manufacture their own substance and obtain energy in order to function – by eating and drinking, we then need to break down and “metabolise” fats, carbohydrates, and proteins into energy sources our bodies can utilise.

Sometimes imbalances with our antioxidant defences can occur resulting in unchecked free radicals, these uncontrolled free radicals absorb electrons from nearby molecules for example DNA, proteins and lipids – this is known as “Oxidative Stress”.

Oxidative Stress and Skin

Your skin is the interface between internal and external environments, and experiences additional exposure to extrinsic (external) factors research has determined that oxidative stress plays a role in the following: 

1. SKIN AGING

• Alters cell proliferation and differentiation via mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway
• Accelerates collagen degradation and wrinkles by stimulating metalloproteinase (MMP) production
• Causes cell DNA damage
• Triggers lipid and protein oxidation
• Contributes to anti-glycation activity
• Decreases barrier function and dehydration
• Increases inflammation

2. SKIN DISORDERS

• Inflammation associated with atopic dermatitis, urticaria and psoriasis

3. BARRIER FUNCTION

• Increases inflammation
• Increases TEWL (Transepidermal Water Loss)

4. ACNE

• Increases inflammation
• Decreases barrier function
• Triggers protein and lipid oxidation.

The Wonders They Work: The Benefits of Antioxidants for Your Skin

The benefits of antioxidants extend beyond their protective properties. When integrated into your skincare routine, they can:

• Neutralize Free Radicals – By neutralizing free radicals, antioxidants prevent collagen and elastin breakdown, slowing down the formation of fine lines and wrinkles.
• Brighten Your Complexion – Antioxidants like vitamin C can lighten hyperpigmentation and promote a more even skin tone, giving you that coveted healthy glow.
• Hydrate and Nourish – Many antioxidants possess hydrating properties that fortify your skin’s moisture barrier, resulting in plump, supple skin.
• Combat Inflammation – Antioxidants, such as green tea extract and chamomile, have anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe redness and irritation.
• Boost Collagen Production – Certain antioxidants stimulate collagen production, enhancing skin elasticity and firmness.

Why Your Skin Craves Antioxidants: The Holistic Approach to Skincare

Holistic skincare emphasizes the interconnectedness of health and self-care, focusing on nurturing your skin from both inside and out. Antioxidants align perfectly with this philosophy, working harmoniously with your skin’s natural processes and promoting long-term vitality. By incorporating antioxidants into your routine, you’re not only addressing current skincare concerns but also investing in the health of your skin for years to come.

Embracing Sustainability with Plant Sourced Antioxidants

Sustainable skincare goes hand in hand with green beauty, prioritizing ingredients that are eco-friendly and ethically sourced. Many plant-sourced antioxidants tick both of these boxes. Here are a few examples that can be found in our products:

• Vitamin E – Often derived from sunflower oil, vitamin E is a potent antioxidant that supports skin repair and hydration.
• Green Tea Extract – Sourced from the leaves of Camellia sinensis, green tea extract is rich in polyphenols that combat inflammation and protect against environmental stressors.
• Rosehip Berry and Seed Oil – Extracted from both the rosehip seeds and berry, this oil is packed with vitamin A promoting skin rejuvenation and repair.
• Sea Buckthorn Fruit and Seed Extract – Rich in vitamin A, both alpha- and beta-carotene, vitamin E, fatty acids and flavonoids, Omega 3, 6, 9 and rarest Omega 7 and about 190 bioactive compounds.
• Acaí Berry Oil – anthocyanins: cyanidin, delphinidin, malvidin, pelargonidin, and peonidin (Açaí contains 10-30x more anthocyanins than red wine, research has shown promise for Acaí oil as an inhibitor of melanin biosynthesis (tyrosinase inhibitor) aka protecting against hyperpigmentation.
• Astaxanthin – Derived freshwater Microalgae Clinical studies show that Astaxanthin protects against environmental stressors, is a super antioxidant because it never becomes a pro-oxidant (meaning it is very stable unlike vitamin C) and penetrates both the water and lipid-soluble part of the cell, visible reduction in hyperpigmentation, wrinkle formation and collagen breakdown and visible improvements in skin elasticity and moisture content.
• Red Raspberry Seed Oil – Exceptionally high in vitamins E and pro-vitamin A, and ellagic acid.
• Pomegranate Seed Oil – Extremely high in Vitamin E and punicic acid, this is an omega-5 isomer of conjugated α-linoleic acid that has shown strong anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects.

Elevate Your Skincare with Holistic and Sustainable Practices

As the world of skincare continues to evolve, one principle remains constant – the importance of antioxidants in achieving healthy, radiant skin. By embracing holistic skincare and sustainable practices, you’re not only caring for your skin but also contributing to a greener and more mindful beauty industry. Each of FIFTY7KINDS’ products begins with plant-sourced, nutrient-rich, antioxidant-rich sustainable ingredients – this is the foundation of each formulation.

You are bombarded by daily exposure to both external and internal free radical-causing potential, a curse of our modern lives, this is why daily (AM and PM) application of the FIFTY7KIND product line is your daily self-defence – we have you covered literally!

Until next time, be human, be kind, be you.

References:

• McDaniel, David. “The Role of Antioxidants in the Skin.” Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, vol. 7, no. 7 Suppl, 2008, pp. s2-6.
• Pullar, Juliet M., et al. “The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Health.” Nutrients, vol. 9, no. 8, 2017, p. 866.
• Puglia, Carmelo, et al. “Topical Application of Lycopene and Tomato Paste Extracts Prevent UV-Induced Erythema in Humans.” European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, vol. 84, no. 2, 2013, pp. 309-315.
• McDaniel DH, Neudecker BA, DiNardo JC, Lewis JA, Maibach HI. Idebenone: a new antioxidant—part I. Relative assessment of oxidative stress protection capacity compared to commonly known antioxidants. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2005;4(1):10-17. DOI: 10.1111/j.1473-2165.2005.40102
• Podda M, Traber MG, Weber C, Yan LJ, Packer L. UV-irradiation depletes antioxidants and causes oxidative damage in a model of human skin. Free Radic Biol Med. 1998;24(1):55-65. DOI: 10.1016/S0891-5849(97)00148-2