Your Guide to Antioxidants for Healthy Skin
What do antioxidants do for the skin?
Reduce Inflammation
Repair Damage
Reduce Appearance of Scarring, Fine Lines, & Wrinkles
Antioxidants are molecules that can help your body fight oxidative stress caused by excess free radicals and other toxins that increase your risk of disease.
Antioxidants help skin repair itself.
By reducing inflammation,antioxidants allow skin to repair and correct visible damage. Another property to some antioxidants is collagen stimulation, which can help reduce the appearance of scarring, fine lines, and wrinkles.
Who should incorporate antioxidants into their skin care?
Antioxidants are ideal for everyone!
Acne, rosacea, hyperpigmentation, mature skin…by stimulating collagen production and decreasing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
During your mid 20’s your collagen production starts to decrease. Free radicals in pollution, sun exposure, and some foods can lead to further reduction, so having an antioxidant specifically for your skin is important.
Examples of Antioxidants
Vitamin C, E, A, green Tea extract, turmeric, & fruit extracts
Vitamin C: the most studied and most effective topical antioxidant in skincare
Turmeric Root Extract: an antioxidant superstar that helps even skin tone and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Camu Camu Fruit Extract: This powerful antioxidant helps reduce the appearance of dark spots while brightening to visually improve signs of skin fatigue.
VITAMIN C
Brightens skin and defends against environmental stressors, known to cause dark spots and discolouration.
It helps support skin’s natural collagen production which can minimize inflammation and scarring, fine lines, and wrinkles.
It offers antioxidant protection against pollution, free radicals, and daily stressors.
While all of this is great, did you know… Vitamin C can be very unstable—especially in its purest form, L-ascorbic—which means that it can lose its effectiveness quickly.
For this reason, I’m excited about Beautycounter’s blend of two ultra-stable forms of vitamin C for a supercharged 10% potency. When a serum’s concentration of vitamin C is too high, there’s a chance of skin irritation—but when it’s too low, it doesn’t deliver as many benefits. Beautycounter uses an ultra-stable, 10% dose of vitamin C which includes: 5% Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (helps reduce the appearance of dark spots and boosts skin brightening to reveal more youthful-looking skin) and 5% Bis-Glyceryl Ascorbate (A second form of vitamin C, which moisturizes skin while providing antioxidant benefits known to protect skin from damaging environmental stressors—and helps improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.)
What to look for
Concentration: 10% - 20%
which includes Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbic acid as it is most effective
No PEGs or Pthalates // No Dyes or Fragrance // No Fillers
Ingredient list: Free from hormone disruptors: PEGs, Phthalates, Dyes, Fragrance, Fillers or harmful preservatives such as Formaldehyde or formaldehyde releasing ingredients (DMDM hydantoin & sodium hydroxymethylglicenate)
Type of Bottle & Method of dispensing
Air tight & tinted or opaque bottle as light & air exposure can cause oxidation and a reduction in the efficacy of the product.
Types of Vitamin C Products
Mists, Masks, Oils, Serums, Creams, and Sunscreens…
Mists after cleansing
Mask 2-3 times a week of to specific areas
Serum after prepping skin with a toner/mist/or essence
Cream & Sunscreen to protect your skin
Remember, Vitamin C is a potent ingredient that, if used at too high a concentration, can cause irritation. Choose the method that works best for you that YOUR skin enjoys.
My personal favourites: SERUM & Facial Oil
Serum: Easy to apply, non-greasy, absorbs quickly, potent formula
Oil: Can be added to any of my products to give a boost, non-greasy
How to use it
Once OR Twice OR More a day...
During your “Treatment” step:
Cleanse
Prep
Treat
Protect
You can use Beautycounter’s All Bright C Serum as a Treat step with any regimen. After cleansing and toning in the morning, use your regimen’s regular serum, then layer All Bright C Serum on top. Apply to face, neck, and décolletage. Follow with moisturizer.
The Power Couple
Vitamin C and Sunscreen
“Vitamin C also has the benefit of brightening your overall complexion for skin that looks even-toned and radiant. Further, it’s a powerful antioxidant, which means it helps to protect your skin from free radical damage.” Read the article here.
This article suggests adding Vitamin C to your daily sunscreen routine in order to amplify your protection!
Summary
WHO? Everyone! // Inflammation, Aging, Acne, Rosacea, etc.
WHAT? Vitamin C, Turmeric, Fruit Extracts // 10-20% Vitamin C
HOW? Mists, Masks, Oils, Serums, Creams, and Sunscreens… // My favourites: Serums & Oils
WHEN? AM/PM & Throughout the day // Treat step of any regimen
Want to get a personal skin plan?
I offer Mindful Skin Strategy Sessions or Mindful Skin Coaching!
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DISCLAIMER
This resource/presentation is intended for educational purposes only and does not replace independent judgment. Statements of fact and opinions expressed are those of the participants individually and, unless expressly stated to the contrary, are not the opinion or position of Trisha Conrad and Trisha Conrad Consulting Corporation, it’s cosponsors, or its affiliates. Trisha Conrad and Trisha Conrad Consulting Corporation do not endorse or approve, and assume no responsibility for, the content, accuracy or completeness of the information presented. Attendees should note that sessions are recorded and may be published in various media, including print, audio and video formats without further notice.