Effective Anti-Oxidant Skin Care Ingredients

What to Look for in Effective AntiOxidant Skin Care Products

Antioxidant vitamins taken internally are proven to ward off damage by free radicals. So be sure to ask your physician if you should continue taking your antioxidant vitamins.

Though not clinically proven, it is postulated that antioxidants applied topically can help fight off free radical damage as well. Look for idebenone, vitamin C (in ascorbyl palmitate form, a.k.a. L-ascorbic acid 6-hexadecanoate or vitamin C ester),vitamin E, coenzyme Q10, kinetin and alpha-lipoic acid.

Other very good but less powerful antioxidants are green tea extract, lycopene, superoxidase dismutase, flavonoids, glutathione, selenium, zinc, grape seed polyphenols and olive leaf extract.

Vitamin C is the topical antioxidant with the most science behind it. Look for concentration of at least 10%. If not stabilized, vitamin C will deteriorate quickly. Watch for color changes. If your vitamin C cream darkens noticeably, it is no longer effective. Why bother with vitamin C at all then?

Because it is the only topical antioxidant thus far shown to stimulate the synthesis of collagen as well as minimize fine lines, scars and wrinkles. Vitamin C ester has been proven to be the most effective form for topical skin care use.

The advantage of alpha-lipoic acid is that it is a universal antioxidant. It is both water and oil soluble, so theoretically it can penetrate all parts of the cells to provide maximum protection against free radical damage.

Some of the newer, more powerful (at least in the lab) antioxidants are well worth trying as well. Coenzyme Q10, green tea and olive leaf extract look particularly promising.

This article is for informational purposes only. It does not purport to offer medical advice.

Consult a qualified physician before taking any of these products.

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