What Do Antioxidants Do for Skin?

“The health of the skin is a reflection of our internal health. Just as antioxidants protect organs and tissues inside us, they are critical for the skin. Antioxidants could be even more important for skin health given all the skin comes in contact with daily.”

“We face an onslaught of free radical exposures in modern life, which makes antioxidants more important than ever.” 

Free Radicals and Aging Skin

The skin is the largest organ and a protective barrier between the external environment and the internal body. The skin contacts the world, its pollution, chemicals, UV radiation, and more. A healthy skin barrier is required for protection and to maintain homeostasis. (Source 1, 2)

Skin cells face constant exposure to free radicals, from both internal and largely external sources. Free radical exposure, without adequate antioxidants, causes a breakdown in skin defenses. The results are a pattern of accelerated aging and disease. (Source 1)

Free radicals damage the epidermis (outer skin) and dermis (deeper layer of skin). They harm cell membranes and important skin components like ceramides, keratinocytes, and other cells. This increases inflammation, changes DNA expression, and increases the risk of skin conditions, including:

• Psoriasis 
• Atopic dermatitis
• Acne and breakouts
• Rosacea
• Hyperpigmentation
• Lichen planus
• Alopecia 
• Skin cancer (Source 1)

Free radicals disrupt barrier defenses and affect the skin’s appearance, contributing to visible signs of aging. Free radical damage looks like:

• Fine lines
• Wrinkles
• Uneven pigmentation 
• Dark spots
• Reduced elasticity
• Dry skin
• Sun damage or photodamage
• Skin irritation
• Redness and inflammation (Source 1, 3)

Antioxidants and Skin Health

As you can see, the skin faces an enormous burden of free radicals, and antioxidants are critical for maintaining healthy skin and preventing premature aging. 

Not surprisingly, the skin contains a large concentration of antioxidants. Antioxidant levels exist in a gradient, with the highest concentrations found in the outermost layers of the epidermis. (Source 2)

The skin defense system contains a complex network of antioxidants. Some of these the body makes and the diet (and supplements) supply others. Antioxidant compounds found in the skin include: 

• Vitamin E (tocopherols)
• Vitamin A (retinol) 
• Vitamin C
• Zinc
• Selenium
• Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
• Lipoic acid
• Carotenoids, including beta carotene
• Glutathione
• Uric acid
• Polyphenols
• Antioxidant enzymes, including SOD (superoxide dismutase) and GPX (glutathione peroxidase) (Source 1)

Antioxidant-rich foods and the antioxidant compounds they contain support skin health. These include: 

• Resveratrol (from red wine, red grapes, peanuts)
• Curcumin (from turmeric)
• EGCG and green tea extract (from green tea)
• Grape seed extract
• Silymarin (from milk thistle, artichoke)
• Propolis (from raw honey)
• Lycopene (from tomatoes, watermelon)
• Coffee 
• Pomegranate 
• Isoflavones (from soy) (Source 2)

There are so many more foods that contain antioxidant compounds beyond this list. You’ll get them by eating a variety of colorful plant foods in the diet. 

Nutrients in Dermatology and Skincare

If you’ve been to a dermatologist or aesthetician, you might have received a treatment containing antioxidant nutrients. Let’s look at a few. 

Niacinamide 

Niacinamide, also called nicotinamide, is a form of vitamin B3. It’s a precursor to NAD+, essential for energy production in all cells. (Read more about NAD+ and the benefits of supplementation here.) 

NAD+ and NADH convert back and forth, demonstrating antioxidant properties. It also helps to maintain the master antioxidant, glutathione. (Source 4)

As a topical application, vitamin B3 stabilizes the epithelial barrier of the skin and has a moisturizing and hydrating effect. It helps to improve keratin (a structural protein in hair) and ceramides (part of the lipid barrier in the skin). Topical use reduces wrinkles and other signs of aging. It may have a clinical application for rosacea, acne, and pigmentation disorders. (Source 5)

Retinoids

Retinoids are a group of synthetic and natural compounds that include retinol, the active form of vitamin A, used extensively by board certified dermatologists for various skin conditions. 

Retinoids were first used in the 1940s to treat acne. Today they are for much more, including managing sun damaged skin for brightening effects, even skin tone, and improving skin structure and health. (Source 6)

Vitamin C

Normal skin is rich in vitamin C (ascorbic acid), which is a potent antioxidant to protect and heal the skin. In addition, vitamin C assists in collagen production. Collagen is a primary protein that gives the skin its structure, allowing for plumpness and hydration. As we age, a decline in collagen (and vitamin C) contributes to skin aging. (Source 7)

While vitamin C in the diet is essential for skin health, vitamin C serums have risen in popularity as a topical application. A vitamin C serum is an antioxidant serum that targets the outer layers of the skin. It provides free radical protection as the skin contacts UV radiation, pollution, and other factors each day. 

Improving vitamin C levels supports:

• Sunburn
• Photoaging
• Hyperpigmentation
• Wrinkle formation
• Sagging skin
• Rough skin
• Dry skin
• Scarring
• Poor wound healing
• Inflammation (Source 7)

Using Antioxidants in Your Skincare Routine

Now that we’ve covered how critical antioxidants are for skin health and healing, and we’ve seen evidence that they are already being applied in dermatology, it’s time to up your antioxidants to improve your skin. Here’s how:

• Choose safe skincare products with antioxidant-rich ingredients. While we might not think about the ingredients in our moisturizers, serums, makeup, and other personal care products, many products we use daily on our skin contain harmful chemicals that promote free radical damage.
  Instead, choose natural products with ingredients you recognize. For example, plant oils like olive oil, sesame oil, rosehip oil, and more are rich in antioxidants and help to repair the skin barrier and decrease inflammation. (Source 8) 
  
  If you’re unsure about the skincare ingredients and safety of your current products or are looking for new products to try, check out EWG’s Skin Deep Database. Use this tool to search for safe sunscreen too. 

• Take an inside-out approach to skincare. The nutrition we put into the body plays a crucial role in our appearance and ability to heal from skin conditions. Research shows that antioxidants from food benefit the skin. Whole plant foods are one of the best antioxidant sources you’ll find. (Source 9)
  
  Choose an anti-inflammatory diet, rich in plants. Choose a wide variety of colorful produce, herbs and spices, and healthy fats from wild fish, avocados, nuts, and seeds. 
  
  Core Med Science Liposomal B-Complex Multivitamin is your antioxidant insurance policy for your skin. It contains antioxidant nutrients, including vitamin A, vitamin, E, vitamin C, vitamin B3, selenium, and zinc. The liposomal delivery system mimics that of your cell membranes for better absorption and delivery to where you need it most, including skin cells.