THE POWER OF ANTIOXIDANTS IN SKIN CARE

Healthy, glowing, youthful skin – isn´t that what all of us want and crave? The use of antioxidants in face skin care products is a great way to protect and enhance the health and appearance of the skin. Antioxidants can help to keep the skin looking young and radiant.
You might have heard about these lovely little helpers before; we know we need them in our daily diet, and now we know to feed them to our skin as well - but do you actually know why that is?

Antioxidants are the mighty heroes in many skin care products, particularly those designed for the face. These powerful compounds work to protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals, which can lead to premature aging, wrinkles, and other skin issues. Free radicals are highly reactive molecules that can damage cells and tissues in the body, including the skin. They are caused by a variety of factors, including UV radiation, pollution, and stress.

One of the main benefits of using antioxidants in face skin care products is indeed their ability to neutralize free radicals. Antioxidants therefore prevent the free radicals from causing damage to the skin. Another benefit of using antioxidants in face skin care products is their ability to improve the overall health and appearance of the skin. Antioxidants can help to reduce inflammation and redness, as well as improve the skin's texture and tone. How exciting is this?

In addition to all these wonderful duties of antioxidants, there´s yet another fine quality that makes antioxidants essential: they can also help to protect the skin from sun damage. Many antioxidants, such as Vitamin C and E, have been shown to help reduce the risk of sun damage, including sunburn and skin cancer. They can also help reduce the appearance of age spots and other discolorations caused by the sun.

Antioxidants can also help boost collagen production, which helps to keep the skin firm and youthful. Our bodies naturally produce collagen, but it´s production starts to reduce as early as our twenties, and in our thirties the production drops dramatically causing the first signs of ageing. Antioxidants are produced in the body aswell, but our body´s natural antioxidant levels are not sufficient as their own, as the amount of pollution, stress and UV radiation has increased. This is why we need help from outside to make up for the loss.


Ingredients to look for in your cosmetics

Kajo Nordic Beauty is incorporating a range of natural antioxidants in their skincare products to protect the skin from environmental damage and promote a healthy, youthful appearance.

Look for these dear ones in your skin care products for a radiant skin:

• Green tea extract is rich in antioxidants, including catechins and flavonoids, which have been shown to help protect the skin from UV damage and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Don´t forget that we are exposed to UV radiation all year round even in Finland!
• Bilberry extract, is also high in antioxidants and has been found to improve skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of dark circles under the eyes.
• Grape extract is rich in polyphenols and has been found to help protect the skin from UV damage and reduce the appearance of age spots. ”Age spots” are not only a more mature skin´s problem – you might recognise these changes on your skin despite your younger age.
• Vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant, has been found to help protect the skin from environmental damage and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
• Rosemary leaf extract is also a powerful antioxidant that has been found to help protect the skin from environmental damage and reduce the appearance of age spots.
• Bisabolol, which is derived from the chamomile plant, is known for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties and has been found to help reduce redness and irritation in the skin.
• Camellia oil, which is derived from the camellia plant, is rich in antioxidants and has been found to help improve skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
• Sea Buckthorn is a natural source of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, which can help to protect the skin from environmental damage and improve the overall appearance of the skin.
• Gotu Kola is a herb that is rich in antioxidants, which can help to protect the skin from environmental damage, improve the overall appearance of the skin, and boost the production of collagen.
• Bladderwrack is a seaweed that is rich in antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins, which can help to protect the skin from environmental damage, improve the overall appearance of the skin, and boost the production of collagen.
• Bakuchiol is a natural alternative to retinol, which is a powerful antioxidant that can help to protect the skin from environmental damage, improve the overall appearance of the skin, and boost the production of collagen.
• Calendula is a herb that is rich in antioxidants, which can help to protect the skin from environmental damage, improve the overall appearance of the skin, and boost the production of collagen.
• Avocado oil and olive oil are both rich in antioxidants, which can help to protect the skin from environmental damage, improve the overall appearance of the skin, and boost the production of collagen.

Inside out

Interestingly, recent studies have also shown that certain antioxidants such as vitamin C and E can have a protective effect on the skin's microbiome, the population of microorganisms that live on the skin. A healthy microbiome is vital for maintaining a balanced and healthy skin barrier, and antioxidants can help to support this by reducing inflammation and neutralizing free radicals. Therefore, incorporating antioxidants in your skincare routine can not only improve the appearance of your skin, but also support its overall health and function.

It's also important to note that while antioxidants can be beneficial when applied topically, they are also essential when consumed as part of a balanced diet and lifestyle. Eating a diet rich in fruits, berries and vegetables can help provide the body with the antioxidants it needs to protect the whole body (including the skin) from damage. Getting enough sleep, managing stress, drinking enough water, using certain supplements, avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can also help to reduce the number of free radicals in the body. When thinking about skin care it´s not just about what you put on your skin; the food we consume definitely plays a big role. About 90% of the body´s microbiome lives in your gut, so if your gut microbiome is balanced, it will show on your skin aswell.

Remember, that the sooner you start your quality routines, the better results you get. Skin care products can make your skin look and feel better, but they are not a magic wand; if the skin´s wellbeing has been constantly neglected and damaged by the sun, poor habits, pollution or the lack of antioxidants, it´s hard to get the results you want naturally. Be consistent with your skin, pamper it with a regular visit to a professional and choose antioxidant rich natural products like Kajo Nordic Beauty!