Antioxidants

Anti­oxi­dants are sub­s­tances that neu­tra­li­se free radi­cals and thus pro­tect cells from oxi­da­tive stress. The body pro­du­ces its own anti­oxi­dant enzy­mes and obta­ins fur­ther anti­oxi­dants from food. Well-known examp­les include vit­amin C, vit­amin E, caro­te­no­ids and plant polyphenols.

Appli­ca­ti­on

In skin­ca­re, anti­oxi­dants are appli­ed as serums or creams to give the skin addi­tio­nal pro­tec­tion against UV and envi­ron­men­tal dama­ge during the day. Vit­amin C is also invol­ved in col­la­gen pro­duc­tion and can ligh­ten pig­men­ta­ti­on. Vit­amin C, vit­amin E and feru­lic acid are often com­bi­ned becau­se they sta­bi­li­se one ano­ther. Nia­cin­ami­de and green tea extra­ct are also wide­ly used ingredients.

Good to know

Anti­oxi­dants com­ple­ment sun­screen with an ade­qua­te sun pro­tec­tion fac­tor but do not replace it. Vit­amin C is unsta­ble and loses its effect when expo­sed to light and air; a brow­nish dis­co­lou­ra­ti­on of the serum can indi­ca­te this. High-dose oral sup­ple­ments have shown no pro­ven bene­fit against skin age­ing in studies.

Matching tre­at­ment at Swiss Der­ma Cli­nic: Vit­amin C treatment