We have all heard of antioxidants….They’re healthy and important. You can find them in certain foods. And beauty brands tout the benefits of them in an ingredient list.

But that still doesn’t explain what they are and how we know if we’re getting what we need.

What Are Antioxidants + Why You Need Them

Antioxidants are molecules that fight free radicals in your body. 

Simply put, antioxidants counteract deterioration. While aging is a natural process, it can be accelerated by free radicals. These free radicals are naturally found in the body, but your body can produce them at a higher level with certain lifestyle factors. These includes exposure to toxic chemicals, smoking, alcohol, and even fried foods. {For more expertise from actual medical professionals, read here and here}.

I recently read a great analogy of antioxidants. Imagine cutting an apple open. It’s nice and fresh looking, right? Then come back to that same cut apple a few hours later and how does it look? A little brown, discolored. Not as fresh as before.

But you may have heard the trick, where you squeeze a little lemon juice over apples to keep them from browning. That way, the apples stay preserved and in their freshest state.

Yes, the apples are your skin. The lemon juice is the antioxidant.

How Antioxidants Help The Skin

Now let’s get into the solutions. How can antioxidants help you get healthy skin and be healthier overall?

First, let me say that you want to start with a well-balanced diet. There is no miracle solution and only eating antioxidant rich food isn’t the end all be all cure. I’m going to highlight a few foods that are good to add to your meals, but they are not ONLY things you should be eating.

Second, we’re going to talk beauty products with antioxidants. I mean, we’re using skincare and makeup to keep us looking and feeling our best and there are lots of options to include into your routine to do just that. 

Remember, each antioxidant behaves differently and targets different things.  I’m going to focus on a few great beauty antioxidants:  Vitamin C, E and Resveratrol.  Yes, there are more out there, but these are the best ones to highlight for healthy skin. 

Vitamin C: The Booster

1. Sunday Riley Rapid Flash Brightening Serum 2. Mario Badescu Vitamin C Serum 3. Beautycounter Mineral Sunscreen Travel Stick 4. Kosas Color and Light Pressed Powder Blush + Highlighter 5. Odacite Very Dry Skin Serum 6. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer 7. R+Co Sail Soft Wave Spray 8. Tatcha Beauty Violet C Brightening Serum 9. Beautycounter Color Outline Eye Pencil

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Vitamin C has a pretty strong reputation for helping to boost the immune system. Citrus fruits come in season here in the US at the perfect time to kick our body’s natural defenses into high gear. It’s also credited with lowering blood pressure, protecting against heart disease and memory issues, and helps prevent iron deficiency.

But it’s not just citrus foods that contain Vitamin C. Veggies like broccoli and Brussle sprouts are good sources. And even Thyme can get you closer to your daily recommended dosage.

For Beauty products, Vitamin C is known for clarifying and brightening. What the means is if your skin is feeling dull or you’re not getting a glow, these products can help.  Also, you want to keep the skin’s barrier clean and in good health and Vitamin C also helps here.  Lastly, Vitamin C is an anti-aging ingredient. It will help with collagen production and give you a youthful appearance.

As part of my skincare routine, I use this facial oil.   A few times per week,  I put this on over my overnight cream.  If my skin is feeling really dry in those winter months, I sometimes use it before applying my makeup.  {If you’re wondering the different between serums and facial oils, read this post}. 

Vitamin E: The Healer

1. Beautycounter Radiant All Over Bronzer 2. Tata Harper Illuminating Eye Cream 3. L’Occitane Hand Cream Minis 4. Indie Lee Rosehip Cleanser 5. ILIA Multi-Stick 6. Origins High Potency Night-A-Mins Facial Oil 7. Beautycounter Overnight Resurfacing Peel 8. Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Eyeliner

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Vitamin E has long been associated as a beauty vitamin, particularly helping with healthy skin and hair growth. This antioxidant also helps with vision and the health of your blood. You can find Vitamin in dark leafy greens, nuts and seeds, oils like olive oil and avocados.

There is a good amount of overlap with Vitamin C and E in skincare. While it is great for moisturizing, it’s superpower is healing. It can smooth and repair acne scars and diminish dark discoloration on the skin.

Knowing that the skin is the body’s largest organ and the need to treat it right, many of my skincare products include Vitamin E. 

Resveratrol: The Anti-Ager

1. Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Anti-Wrinkle Booster Serum 2. OSEA Sea Vitamin Boost 3. Skincueticals Reservatrol B E 4. Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Anti-Wrinkle Moisturizer 5. Caudalie Resveratrol Eye Lifting Balm 6. Indie Lee Active Oil-Free Moisturizer

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You may not be as familiar with the name of this antioxidant, but you probably heard there is some benefit to drinking red wine.  That’s because red wine contains resveratrol.  Due to it’s chemical properties, this antioxidant is thought to lower blood pressure.  And it’s not just found in wine.  Blueberries, peanuts, pistachios, grapes and dark chocolate also contain it.  I mean, red wine and chocolate – sign me up!

Beauty companies are also using this powerful ingredient that works as an anti-ager.  One of my favorite recent purchases for the year was this Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Anti-Wrinkle Booster serum. I’ve definetly noticed a difference in my skin. I actually picked it up since so many friends rave about the Juice Beauty Moisturizer!

Antioxidants in Beauty Products

1. Sunday Riley Rapid Flash Brightening Serum 2. Farmacy Honey Potion Antioxidant Hydration Mask 3. Kosas Color and Light Pressed Powder Blush + Highlighter 4. R+Co Sail Soft Wave Spray 5. Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Anti-Wrinkle Booster Serum 6. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer 7. Caudalie Resveratrol Lift Firming Serum 8. Tata Harper Illuminating Eye Cream 9. Andalou Night Repair Cream 10. Odacite Very Dry Skin Serum 11. Beautycounter Brightening + Vitamin C Facial Oil 12. OSEA Sea Vitamin Boost 13. Primally Pure Fancy Face Serum 14. Bite Beauty Matte Cream Lip Crayon 15. Mario Badescu Vitamin C Serum 16. Tatcha Beauty Violet C Brightening Serum 17. Indie Lee Rosehip Cleanser 18. Beautycounter Color Outline Eye Pencil 19. Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Anti-Wrinkle Moisturizer {a favorite!} 20. Ursa Major Vitamin C Serum

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