Antioxidants - what are they, how do they work and why do you need them?

By Dr Dirk Kremer.

When creating your daily skin care routine, you may immediately reach for moisturisers and night-time skin creams and serums, and rightly so, they can do wonders for your skin. However, it’s important that you don’t forget to include antioxidant products, as scientific studies have proven that people who regularly use antioxidant products and eat food high in antioxidants achieve a more youthful appearance compared to those who don’t.

What are Antioxidants?

As we go about our daily lives, our bodies naturally produce atoms, or groups of atoms, called free radicals (oxidants), however, the number of free radicals our bodies produce depends on a number of factors, and the number produced can be heavily influenced by things such as diet, alcohol, stress, smoking, drugs and even exposure to sunlight and pollution. Over time, free radicals cause cell damage as a result of oxidative damage, and this is where antioxidants can help.

Antioxidants are essentially natural or man-made substances that help our bodies stop the oxidative damage caused by free radicals. Antioxidants are commonly found in fruits, tea, wine, vegetables and even coffee; in fact, they’re found in pretty much anything that is plant-based. There are thousands of natural antioxidants, but the most common are Ferulic Acid, along with Vitamin C, E, B3 and B5.

How do Antioxidants work?

Our bodies naturally produce free radicals and antioxidants to counter them, but in most people, the number of free radicals significantly outnumbers the number of antioxidants. This is when naturally produced antioxidants and products such as my FerulOx can help.

Antioxidants work by preventing free radicals from forming and resisting the actions of ones that have already formed. Free radicals oxidise other molecules in the body and steal away their electrons, and while most free radicals are weak and only steal electrons that are available, some are very strong and steal electrons from molecules that need them to function properly. This can lead to skin looking old and tired as the molecules needed for a youthful appearance are being destroyed by free radicals. Antioxidants stop this process by adding molecules that are stable in the distinct electronic states, thus neutralising the dangerous free radicals. Antioxidants also leave your body once their job is done and don’t change shape, leaving no lasting damage.

Why should you use antioxidant products?

It’s important to remember that while oxidants are bad for the body, you should ensure you have an even balance of antioxidants to oxidants, and if you eat too many foods with antioxidants in them, or use too many antioxidant-based skin care products, you can actually damage your body’s auto-immune system, which can lead to more serious complications in rare cases.

However, antioxidants can have a huge impact on the skin. Essentially, antioxidants have free radical fighting properties, which means that frequent use will help your skin appear fresh and youthful. My antioxidant products also lighten, hydrate and moisturise the skin for that youthful glow most people desire.

My FerulOx antioxidant product is the perfect addition to your daily skincare routine as it combines all the most popular antioxidants such as Ferulic Acid, Vitamin C, E, B3 and B5 into a vitamin-loaded formula that provides the full scope of antioxidant care, and boasts greater skin protection than products that use these vitamins separately. Combined with my other skincare products, FerulOx can help your skin remain healthy with a youthful appearance. Apply every morning for the best results.

You can also complement your antioxidant routine with my Resveratox, which uses Resveratrol. Resveratrol is a compound that is rich in antioxidant and skin lightening benefits, and also boasts a powerful muscle-relaxing blend of peptides which help soften your facial features and improve your skin’s complexion. Apply every morning and evening for the best results.

Here at SkinDoc formula, I offer a diverse range of skincare products which are guaranteed to improve the appearance and feel of your skin. To find out more about my skin care range, browse through the shop and please do get in touch if you have any questions.