What Does an Antioxidant Serum Do? Find out With ZO Skin Health
Antioxidants are often associated with foods like coffee, carrots, tomatoes, and more. However, they are also known in the world of skin health where they are lauded for their positive and youthful effects on one’s skincare routine.
Typically found as active ingredients in serums, antioxidants protect against free radicals, improve hydration, and support the skin’s healing process.
To better understand what an antioxidant serum does, we’ll explain how it benefits the skin and the different types available. We’ll also look at one of the leading antioxidant serums from ZO Skin Health and see how it effectively delivers a youthful, glowing complexion. Read on to learn more.
Antioxidants in skincare: What do they do?
Antioxidants play a crucial role in maintaining optimal skin health by defending against external stressors and slowing down the onset of signs of aging.
Every day, our skin is exposed to environmental stressors like pollution and harmful ultraviolet rays, creating free radicals in the skin.
Free radicals are unstable molecules produced in the body that can damage cells within the skin, leading to visible signs of aging such as wrinkles, dull, sagging skin, and uneven skin tone. Antioxidants, whether ingested or topically applied through a serum, can aid in neutralising the damaging effects of the free radicals. Over time, they can also assist in stimulating the production of collagen and elastin and reduce signs of inflammation.
How an antioxidant serum works
Serums are fast-absorbing and concentrated skincare products that deliver potent and active ingredients to the skin, such as vitamins, acids, peptides, and antioxidants. They are known to address targeted skin concerns such as wrinkles, acne, or dry skin.
With antioxidants applied through serums, the active skincare ingredient can work its magic quickly and efficiently, delivering its benefits deep into the skin and promoting a healthier complexion.
The benefits of antioxidant serums
Aside from combatting free radicals and correcting signs of aging, an antioxidant serum offers several other advantages, such as:
- Soothes signs of inflammation and promotes skin healing: An antioxidant serum can calm irritated skin by neutralising free radicals, preventing oxidative damage to our skin which leads to inflammation. Additionally, some antioxidants like L-ascorbic acid, also known as vitamin C, help to stimulate collagen and elastin, which help the skin heal.
- Skin brightening: Antioxidants like niacinamide (Vitamin B3) and vitamin C are commonly used in antioxidant serums. They give the skin a glowing and healthier appearance while improving the skin’s ceramide and collagen production, keeping it hydrated.
- Improves the appearance of scars: Consistent use of an antioxidant serum can significantly improve the appearance of scars by helping to reduce inflammation and boosting blood flow to the scar tissue.
What are the best types of antioxidants for your skin?
Retinol (Vitamin A)
Retinol is a derivative of Vitamin A that is known to help improve premature signs of skin aging, stimulate collagen production, and boost cell repair and renewal. This antioxidant has a small molecular structure that can easily penetrate deeply into the skin. It helps to smoothen wrinkles and fine lines and enhance skin tone and discolouration.
Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)
Niacinamide is an antioxidant that soothes breakouts and improves skin barrier function and redness. This vitamin is helpful in treating skin concerns such as skin redness and acne–thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties.
Niacinamide also helps to reduce fine lines, hyperpigmentation, and wrinkles. It can also aid in improving skin tone and texture.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a valuable component of your morning skincare routine. It helps brighten the skin, improve discolouration, support collagen production and prevent sun damage. It also helps in reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E boosts the skin’s healing process and is a common ingredient of products targeting stretch marks. It also aids in stabilising and enhancing the effectiveness of other antioxidants like Vitamin C.
Additionally, this antioxidant can also serve as an emollient that helps soften and smoothen the skin.
Resveratrol
According to a study published in the Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, resveratrol contains anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, amongst other health benefits. It has been shown to stimulate fibroblast cells and aid in collagen production. Its antioxidant properties can protect cells against oxidative damage and slow down the process of photoaging of the skin.
Discover a radiant glow with ZO Skin Health’s Illuminating AOX Serum
When it comes to finding the right antioxidant serum, it is essential to note that an antioxidant serum may contain a blend of various antioxidant types that enhance each other’s effectiveness. With this in mind, you can maximise the effects of antioxidants in your skincare.
ZO Skin Health Illuminating AOX Serum has the combination of more than one antioxidants that work synergistically to deliver all-day environmental protection.
ZO® Skin Health Illuminating AOX Serum
This ZO AOX serum contains the following key, exclusive ingredients:
- ZOX¹²®: An antioxidant complex comprising vitamins A, C, and E. It provides a 12-hour defence against free radicals.
- ZO-RRS2®: A plant stem cell complex that soothes redness and neutralises free radicals.
- ZPOLY™: Minimises signs of premature aging while infusing extended hydration.
It also has specialised enzymes and microminerals that promote optimum skin cell health.
All these ingredients work together to provide advanced and proven pollution defence, reduce premature signs of aging, and rejuvenate dry, dull skin to restore its youthful glow. This illuminating serum also blurs imperfections with a smooth, soft-focus finish.
Experience an award-winning, illuminating glow today!
In case you didn’t know, the power of this illuminating serum was recognised in 2023 when it was voted as the best antioxidant serum in the 2023 New Beauty Awards. It only shows how ZO Skin Health is committed to delivering exceptional skincare solutions that not only protect but also enhance your skin’s radiance.
Zoe Nissi is dedicated to doing the same by delivering trusted, high-quality, physician-dispensed skincare. Just like our partner brand, ZO Skin Health, we believe in the application of innovation and powerful technologies to support healthy skin for all.