Winter Skin Care: Anti-oxidants and the benefits to skin

Winter Skin Care: Anti-oxidants and the benefits to skin

How do Antioxidants work?

Antioxidants are powerful chemicals that protect cells by neutralizing external forces such as the sun, pollutants and the weather and internal factors such as hormones and emotions.

Antioxidants are vital to health because they combat free radicals. Free radicals are by-products (waste) that are produced when our bodies use oxygen.

Free radicals are unstable molecules that try to “steal” atoms from our healthy molecules to make themselves stable and repaired; a free radical is essentially a skin or body cell that is damaged. Therefore; the structure of our skin or body cells are damaged when free radicals are present, altering our DNA which results in aging and illness.

Common antioxidants found in skin care are Vitamin A, C, E and Beta Carotene.

Why are companies putting Anti-oxidants in skin care products?

Antioxidants protect collagen, a fibrous tissue in our bodies that is the foundation of all our connective tissue: blood vessels and skin etc.

How can antioxidant tablets help me?

Many companies that produce tablets** or multi-vitamins carry anti-oxidant pills that promise to boost the production of collagen and elastin (two fibrous tissues responsible for keeping our skin youthful looking) while protecting existing collagen and elastin content.

What is the best way to obtain antioxidants: tablet** or skin care?

Let’s face it: Antioxidants are essential to maintaining healthy, youthful skin. They fight off free radicals that cause our DNA to age and be susceptible to illness. Taking them internally via tablet** form is the perfect way to help your body from the inside out, but why not treat your skin with antioxidants from the outside as well to fight external factors?

Look for products that contain Vitamin A, E or C and Beta Carotene. These are all forms of antioxidants found in skin care.

Some forms of Mineral makeup, which are made of pure, crushed minerals contain these ingredients. Mineral makeup is fast becoming known as “skin care” makeup because it contains so many active ingredients made to treat and protect skin while it is being worn. Jane Iredale Mineral Makeup is one company that incorporates antioxidants into their “skin care” makeup.

Skin Care companies such as Intaglio, B. Kamins and Skeyndor all have specific lines to address the growing demand for skin care products that contain Antioxidants.

To book a free skin care consultation at Le Petit Spa, click here.

Check out our weekly spa promotions for facials: Facial Fridays or Signature Sundays.

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** Please consult your doctor before starting any multi-vitamin or pill form of therapy. This blog is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice.