ANTIOXIDANTS You’ve heard of them before, you’re pretty sure they’re good for you, and they’re in most of if not all of your skincare products, but what actually are these things we call antioxidants with their seemingly unlimited benefits and why exactly are we slathering them all over our faces?
What Are Free Radicals?
Well, to answer that question we must first discuss your skins worst enemy, the little nasties known as Free Radicals. Free Radicals are teeny tiny molecules of mass destruction that are unstable and highly reactive and the worst part, they’re everywhere, in substances like air pollutants, pesticides, cigarette smoke, alcohol, fried foods and even THE SUN. They occur when an oxygen atom splits leaving a damaged molecule with missing electrons. For those of us who weren’t paying attention that day in science class, electrons are needy little guys who need to be in pairs, so when they lose their other half the free radicals go around the body ravaging healthy cells to find replacement electrons and, in the process, creating even more free radicals.
In comes or saviours’ Antioxidants. Antioxidants, the generous humanitarians that they are, donate electrons to the free radicals, neutralising them and often even stopping them from forming in the first place. Healthy skin naturally produces antioxidants creating a very delicate balance. However, when that balance is lost and the free radicals begin to overtake the antioxidants and we experience what is called oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is what leads to premature aging, hyperpigmentation, eczema, acne and even skin cancers.
Where Can We Get More Antioxidants?
So, the next question is: If the number one way we can prevent oxidative stress and radical damage to our skin is antioxidants, where can we find more?
Antioxidants are naturally occurring vitamins and minerals and can be found in a multitude of ingredients. We can up our supply by ingesting antioxidants in fruits and vegetables, and more directly, by applying them topically to our skin. The best way to make sure your skin is absorbing all the extra antioxidants it needs is through a serum or an oil, like the formulation we use in our Skin O’lixirs.
Vitamin C
Our Morning Sun Skin O’lixir is packed full of antioxidant rich ingredients starting with Kakadu Plum. Kakadu plums have the highest natural amount of vitamin C recorded in the world. Vitamin C (A.K.A L-ascorbic acid) is pretty much the ultimate when it comes to antioxidants. It’s the MVP of brightening and lightening uneven and hyperpigmented skin to leave you with an ultra-fresh and glowing complexion.
Vitamin E
Vitamin EIn addition to Kakadu Plum our All Day Glow O’lixir contains the miracle cactus Prickly Pear. Prickly pear oil contains the highest amount of vitamin E of any other beauty oil on the market. In fact, it contains 150% more vitamin E than argan oil. Vitamin E is the perfect all-rounder when it comes to fighting free radicals and premature aging but it’s even more powerful against free radicals when combined with Vitamin C, AKA Kakadu Plum!
Vitamin A
Finally, the Evening Moon Skin O’lixir is rich in Vitamin A and Vitamin E. Vitamin A also known as Retinol has long been known as one of the most extraordinary ingredients for skin. It’s both a skin-restoring ingredient and an antioxidant, and provides multiple benefits for almost every skin care concern imaginable, from uneven skin tone, bumps, enlarged pores, rough surface texture, fine lines and wrinkles, and improving skin luminosity.