Antioxidants in Skin Care Products
How Reducing Agents Can Be Used To Improve Skin Health and Function



A radical is usually defined as an individual who advocates revolutionary change, often by seeking to destabilize the social order through violent means. In the world of chemistry, a free radical may be said to do pretty much the same type of thing: Free radicals scavenge electrons from stable structures, altering their behavior and causing a chain reaction of destruction that continues until it is halted by outside means. Free radicals are classified as oxidizing agents, because when an atom or group of atoms loses an electron, it undergoes oxidation.

Antioxidants in Cosmetics

The “white knights” that trap and disable free radicals are called reducing agents, but are better known as antioxidants. For years, consumers have been encouraged by the beauty industry to slather on daily doses of antioxidant-rich lotions, creams, and serums in order to protect the skin, reverse sun damage, and possibly even repair DNA and RNA. Antioxidants are included in mouthwashes, toothpastes, and many topical skin products. More recent research suggests that antioxidants might be more effective if used less frequently.

Many Different Antioxidants Are Currently Available

A huge variety of substances serve to counteract free radicals. Some are nutrients like Vitamin A, C, and E; respectively also known as retinol, ascorbic acid, and tocopherol. Lycopene and beta-carotene, high concentrations of which are found naturally in tomatoes and carrots, function effectively as antioxidants.

Others are enzymes such as Coenzyme Q10, catalase, or super oxide dimutase (an “ase” at the end of an ingredient’s name identifies it as an enzyme). Pycnogenol, grape seed extract, selenium, green and white tea, pomegranate, resveratrol, soy, and curcuminoids can all render free radicals harmless.

Research has shown that there is no one best antioxidant; they are all of some value in skin care. suite101