Antioxidants are the most searched terms in skincare. But many are not aware of what antioxidants are. You may be unsure of how they work, and whether they actually make a visible difference. 

Oxidative stress is the major reason for many skin concerns in India, from dullness and pigmentation to premature ageing. This guide explains all about antioxidants, the benefits, and how to use them for your skin.

What Are Antioxidants?

Antioxidants are molecules that protect cells from damage caused by unstable molecules known as free radicals. Free radicals are generated every day by UV radiation, pollution, stress, and even normal metabolic processes.

• Free radicals are unstable and reactive molecules
• Antioxidants stabilise them

They work by donating electrons, which prevents free radicals from damaging healthy skin structures, such as collagen, lipids, and DNA.

According to Healthline, antioxidants defend the body against oxidative damage linked to ageing and chronic disease. Oxidative stress is unavoidable, but antioxidants act as your skin’s daily defence system.

What Do Antioxidants Do for Skin?

If you have ever asked what antioxidants do, you are not alone. They play both preventive and corrective roles. They actively influence the quality of your skin.

The benefits of antioxidants for skin are listed below.

• Reduce premature ageing

Free radicals accelerate collagen breakdown. But antioxidants slow this process.

• Minimise UV-induced damage

They neutralise oxidative stress caused by sun exposure, but they are not a replacement for your sunscreen.

• Improve skin brightness

Certain antioxidants limit melanin production.

• Strengthen skin barrier

They protect lipids that maintain hydration.

• Calm inflammation

They are helpful for acne-prone and sensitive skin types.

• Support repair processes

They assist cellular recovery after stress or irritation.

Antioxidants are not optional in a preventive skincare routine.

Which Vitamins Are Antioxidants?

You may ask, which vitamins are antioxidants? Several vitamins have dual roles in skin health and oxidative protection.

To take your skincare routine to the next level, a basic understanding of the science behind skincare is essential. Knowing about the elements that give the skin its structure to how they keep evolving throughout our lifetime is the key to a holistic approach. One such element is collagen, which is a protein that comprises 25-35% of our body. It is the building block for our skin, teeth, ligaments, bones and even tendons. However, with age, the production of collagen gets reduced in the body. This is when external boosts in the form of ingestible as well as topical products are needed.

Importance of Collagen in our Body

Collagen plays a vital role in maintaining the radiance and elasticity of our skin. There are so many different benefits of collagen, making it a primary element to ensure skin health. Here are a few benefits you get when you do not face collagen deficit:

• It improves overall skin health as it helps the skin to maintain elasticity and provides hydration for the skin. Thus, wrinkles and dryness stay at bay.
• Collagen helps to boost muscle mass and is especially beneficial to those suffering from sarcopenia.
• Collagen is a natural protein that gives structure to the skin and as a result, is an important element to heal wounds. It keeps the wound sterile and quickens the healing process.

Tips to Increase Collagen Production in the body

Collagen production gets reduced over the years and eventually, there are visible wrinkles and dry patches on the skin. Topical products, as well as ingestible collagen, can boost collagen production significantly in the body. Here are a few ways to introduce collagen in your skincare routine:

1 Collagen Supplements

Different types of collagen supplements are designed to improve skin elasticity. Not only that, such supplements are recommended for muscle building as well as for hair care. But it is advisable to consult a doctor before taking such ingestible supplements.

2 Vitamin C 

Vitamin C has a close relation to boosting the production of collagen and collagen synthesis in the body. For maximum results, use a topical Vitamin C serum like our C For Yourself Serum along with vitamin-C rich elements in your daily diet.

3 Aloe Vera

Aloe vera has many benefits including anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Moreover, it also boosts hyaluronic acid and collagen production in the body. It is particularly beneficial for improving collagen production when consumed in the form of aloe sterols.

Collagen is an essential protein to keep the skin youthful for years to come. When you target your skincare around boosting its production, automatically your skin gets rejuvenated and youthful too.

When we think of “acid”, our minds instantly connect it with unpleasant and even dangerous burns. So, reading a beauty product label and coming across an “acid” as an ingredient can be intriguing. Yet, these days, the beauty world is buzzing with various actives and acids for their significant benefits and results. One such ingredient is Alpha Hydroxy Acid, otherwise known as AHA. This vital component is definitely something you need to get your hands on as soon as possible! 

Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) are a class of acids originating from both plants and animals and are present in many skincare products. These consist of regular anti-aging items like serums, toners, and lotions. They are used as exfoliants in skin care to get rid of dead skin cells and to treat particular problems. Alpha hydroxy acids, or AHAs, operate by peeling off the build-up of dead cells on the skin's surface to reveal a brighter, smoother complexion. It is a group of water-soluble acids which have mild exfoliation properties and help in many ways to retain youthful and radiant skin. Let us find out more about the various benefits of AHA. 

10 miraculous benefits of AHA

AHA can be in many forms like glycolic acid, lactic acid, citric acid, malic acid, mandelic acid, and tartaric acid. All of them exfoliate the skin chemically and help in various ways to rejuvenate it. They work by eliminating dead skin cells from the skin's surface, brightening your complexion, and enhancing texture and tone. Here are ten such benefits you can enjoy by including any kind of AHA in your skincare routine:

1. Exfoliation

It is the primary benefit of AHA. It chemically loosens the bond of skin cells and helps with cleaning dead skin cell build-up. This method is a much gentler but more effective form of exfoliation compared to physical scrubs. Products with 2-10% AHA concentration are safe enough for exfoliation purposes.

2. Prevents acne

AHA particularly in the form of glycolic acid is effective to fight acne by killing the acne-causing bacteria and preventing them. It also removes dead skin cells and surface sebum that clog the pores without irritating or tearing the skin. Products like the Foxtale One Zit Wonder Acne Spot Corrector Gel is the perfect product containing glycolic acid to witness overnight minimized acne spots. The product also contains azelaic acid and salicylic acid that helps control oil production on the skin.

3. Brightens the skin

Alpha hydroxyl acid (AHAs) helps improve cell turnover. As a result, the new skin cells can show through after the dead skin gets shed. Thus, the skin’s appearance gets brighter, fresher, and plumper.

4. Boosts collagen regeneration

Collagen keeps your skin smooth and firm since they are the building blocks of your skin. Over time, natural collagen production slows down. AHA helps to improve collagen stimulation by removing old collagen fibers.

5. Improves blood flow

AHA has anti-inflammatory properties that help to improve the blood flow in the skin. The improved blood flow helps to carry nutrients to the skin cells and reduces blemishes and hyperpigmentation as a result. This function is the cause of the tingling sensation after using AHA products.

6. Hydrates the skin

AHA being a water-soluble acid acts like a humectant. Thus, it helps the skin retain moisture for a longer period and improve hydration. AHA can also draw moisture from the air. The result is a glowing and supple appearance of the skin.

7. Visibly smoother skin

The blocked pores and dead skin cells are removed through exfoliation by AHA. Thus, the skin appears smoother and luminous. In short, AHA can get rid of all elements that contribute to the dull appearance of the skin.

8. Reduces signs of aging

AHA can prevent and reduce the signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles. The improved cell turnover, collagen production, and exfoliation altogether show significant improvement in the general texture and condition of the skin. Dedicatedly using AHA for at least a few weeks can show significant improvement and prevention of fine lines.

9. Gets rid of hyperpigmentation

Specifically glycolic acid and lactic acid can help to reduce hyperpigmentation. It also helps to fade melasma and dark spots. Chemical peels and similar products made from these specifics AHA are very effective for this purpose. The Foxtale Acne Spot Corrector is infused with AHA for this very reason. With the help of this product, you’re not only treating your acne but also preventing acne scarring.

10. Better product efficacy

As AHA can remove dead skin cells and unclog pores, the absorption of other skincare products gets improved. The top layer of the skin is cleaned by AHA which helps your skin to breathe and absorb other products and help them penetrate much deeper within the skin.

The conclusion-

One can rightly say, AHA is a great choice to improve the overall appearance of your skin. It is mild enough to use every day and is available in many forms like moisturizers, serums, and creams. Before using these kinds of products, consult your dermatologist or skin care professional if you have any pre-existing skin conditions. They can assist you in choosing the ideal AHA based on your skin type and skincare objectives. The right product and the right level of concentration together can work wonders on the skin.

FAQS

1.What skin type is AHA good for?

AHA is suitable for all skin types. 

2.Does AHA make skin glow?

AHAs help in the removal of dead skin cells to reveal fresh and young skin cells since they serve as an exfoliant. Using it will show skin that is glowing and radiant.

3.Should AHA be used morning or night? 

It is recommended to apply at night because AHAs make your skin more sensitive to sunlight.

With a plethora of ingredients claiming to be miracle products for anti-aging, it gets tricky to select the best for your skin type. In reality, there are only a handful of ingredients that are clinically proven to reduce wrinkles and other signs of aging. However, it all comes down to your skin type regarding what will work best for you. We have listed some of the best anti-aging ingredients which are suitable for specific skin types and also products that are daily essentials to retard the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Best ingredients in skincare that help fight aging

To retain the youthfulness and glow of your skin for years to come, choosing the right product and ingredients is essential. Here we have listed a few such ingredients which effectively minimize the signs of aging in all skin types:

1. Sunscreen

Sunscreen is an absolute must to ensure your skin does not face the brunt of sun damage. Sun damage can accelerate the aging process. A sunscreen like the Foxtale Cover Up Dewy Sunscreen which has SPF 50+, PA++++, is broad spectrum, and enriched with niacinamide is ideal to prevent sun damage and reap the anti-aging benefits. Niacinamide is a known ingredient that improves the skin’s protective barrier and prevents aging.

2. Encapsulated retinol

Retinol has become a popular ingredient for its anti-aging properties these days but it can be harsh to the top layer of the skin. This is what sets apart encapsulated retinol. It penetrates deeper within the skin and then starts acting. Thus, you get the benefits of retinol without enduring the harshness. The Foxtale Vit-A-Lity Retinol Night Serum which is also infused with peptides, vitamin E, kokum butter, and betaine is ideally designed to give you anti-aging benefits in the gentlest possible way.

3. Peptides

Peptides are building block proteins that can effectively boost collagen production in the body. They also help to improve the moisturization of the body. They are also significantly effective to reduce the signs of aging and can improve wrinkles in two weeks.

4.Vitamin C

Vitamin C is available in many forms among which the L-Ascorbic acid is the purest and most potent. It is known for various benefits like brightening, smoothing, and reducing hyperpigmentation. It is rich in antioxidants and can protect your skin from UV damage. However, it is a rather unstable ingredient if not formulated correctly. The Foxtale C For Yourself Vitamin C serum is a great way to include this ingredient in your daily skincare routine. It is mild and has a blend of 15% vitamin C and vitamin E which stabilizes the formula.

5. Vitamin E

Vitamin E is one of the age-old ingredients that has been around for many years. It is suitable for all skin types and is known because of its effectiveness. It can absorb UV rays and slows the signs of aging. Vitamin E can also soothe dryness and irritation. Topical vitamin E is a safe product to use against fine lines and wrinkles. Last but not the least, it is an extremely gentle product that is soothing to most skin types. Vitamin E is found in the form of creams, moisturizers, and serums and is often blended with vitamin C for the best results.

6. Ceramides

The ceramides are the building blocks of your skin. It is naturally produced in your skin. However, over the years, the production can slow down and as a result, fine lines and wrinkles start appearing. Using topical collagen products is the key to reducing signs of aging. The Foxtale Ceramide Supercream not only gives the collagen boost you need but also hydrates the skin thoroughly. It is enriched with hyaluronic acid which is a humectant and hence keeps your skin hydrated for a longer period. The early signs of aging are prevented when your skin is supple and hydrated.

7. AHAs

Signs of aging also get accelerated when your skin is not cleaned well or gets clogged with dead skin cells. As a result, products are unable to penetrate deep. AHA is the ideal ingredient to prevent this problem. It has mild exfoliation properties and can remove accumulated dead skin cells efficiently. It also improves the cell turnover of your skin and hence the signs of aging will fade significantly.

Aging is inevitable but with the right products, you can delay it significantly. Read the ingredients list in your skincare carefully the next time you are choosing a product. If any of the above-mentioned ingredients are listed as the primary component of the product, you can invest in it without hesitation.