The media is always talking about the latest & greatest antioxidant-rich superfood (green tea, acai berries, pomegranate, coffee, etc etc). What’s so great about antioxidants?
In skin care, antioxidants are essential. They neutralize those harmful free radicals and reactive oxygen species that I have gone on and on about. But enough with the science for now, let’s talk about strategies!
The #1 Anti-Aging Strategy is:
- Look for antioxidant ingredients in skin care products
- Incorporate antioxidant-rich foods in your diet
- Antioxidize throughout the day
(Antioxidize is not a real verb, but I love this word and use it all the time.)
1. Look for Antioxidant Ingredients in Skin Care Products
Antioxidants must be applied topically on your skin. Dietary sources are not enough. They get used up before they can reach the skin.
There are many antioxidants. The most essential are Vitamins A, C, and E. What I call the ACE trio. I’ll be going over each of these in depth, and we’ll cover other good antioxidants along the way.
The best way for antioxidants to be delivered is via a serum or moisturizer. Masks can deliver antioxidants too, giving skin a more concentrated ‘boost’ of antioxidants. But I have found that most people do not have the time or discipline to mask themselves regularly. Regardless of whether you mask, you need to apply antioxidants on a daily basis.
2. Eat Antioxidant-Rich Foods
Free radicals don’t just assault the skin. They attack the whole body. For overall good health, you should have an antioxidant-rich diet. There are many websites that can educate you about antioxidant nutrition. Unfortunately, I do not have the space on this site or time to deal with it here. There is too much more skin care to cover.
3. Antioxidize Throughout the Day
Antioxidants, such as Vitamin C , E, and A, don’t last very long. They lose their antioxidant potential fairly quickly, which is why you must replenish your antioxidant reserves throughout the day. It’s the same reason why you should eat fruit right after you peel or cut it, or eat vegetables right after cooking. Vitamin capacity decreases with time and exposure to oxygen.
The best time to apply antioxidants to your skin is in the morning, before you face the day. Your skin will get plenty of free radical action as the day goes on. You should also apply an antioxidant serum or moisturizer at night before bed. If you can do this only once a day (some of you tell me you’re too busy to even wash your face!), choose the morning.
In addition, start your day with an antioxidant-rich food. I like to eat a fresh orange (not orange juice) in the morning when it’s in season. Lemon juice in water is another way to squeeze in some Vitamin C. Whenever you eat throughout the day, try to incorporate an antioxidant-rich food. Play the color game with fruits and vegetables. In one day, try to eat fruits or vegetables with as many different colors as possible.
That’s it for now. There’s more information about antioxidants in the Anti-Aging Guide. The next post will be all about Vitamin C.
