If I Could Turn Back Time: Antioxidants and Anti-Ageing
While we might not be thrilled to admit it, I think there are lots of us who worry about the signs of ageing we bump up against in our day to day lives.
It’s not always a huge revelation either. For me, it’s always the little things: my dark circles looking a little darker than usual, my pores looking a little bigger than I’d like, or the more defined wrinkles making themselves at home around my eyes and mouth.
Here’s the thing. There’s no shame in getting older - nor any in feeling self-conscious about your appearance. Taking care of your skin has more than aesthetic benefits. Holistic skincare can also do wonders for your overall well-being.
Think about your skin as an indicator of what’s going on in your body. A huge, stressful project at work can manifest as a gross pimple or a full-on breakout. A few too many late nights out may show itself as dry and dull skin. Meanwhile, having sufficient rest, drinking lots of water, and exercising regularly can bring out your natural radiance.
As much as we wish they could, anti-ageing products can’t turn back time. The best we can hope for is using them to help slow the natural progression of the changes so we can enjoy our youthful complexion a little longer. The key is to start early and to introduce antioxidants as soon as you can.
While lots of us have heard about antioxidants before, not everyone is super clear on how they work. Simply put, antioxidants stabilise free radicals (reactive, harmful molecules) in your body, making them less reactive and likely to do damage. It is normal for our bodies to produce free radicals, but we can introduce more through exposure to UV rays, cigarette smoke, and pollution. When you have a lot of free radicals in your body, you experience oxidative stress.
Oxidative stress gets in the way of your skin’s natural regeneration and triggers inflammation - making way for signs of ageing such as fine lines and loose skin. Here’s how we fight back!
Hydrate
We begin with the basics. Good hydration is the cornerstone to healthy skin. In addition to drinking water, you’ll want to include products that hydrate and strengthen your skin’s moisture barrier which will improve its ability to hold onto moisture. An easy pick for the job is the GREEN TEA SEED SERUM which is beloved for its moisturising properties. Green Tea is one the most well known antioxidants and is lauded for its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. For hydration, you’ll also want to be on the lookout for key ingredients like hyaluronic acid and panthenol.
Reset
“That’s all well and good, but what about the signs of ageing I’m already experiencing?”
Great question! This is where we introduce some intensive care. Introducing a high-efficacy product like the BLACK TEA YOUTH ENHANCING AMPOULE can really help with lessening the intensity of some of the most common signs of ageing. This ampoule is bursting with antioxidants found in black tea that can relieve and reset the appearance of rough skin texture, fine lines, dullness, and deeply hydrate your skin to help combat the effects of oxidative stress. This leaves you with a more youthful complexion - the same way a good night’s rest can help lower levels of oxidative stress.
Revitalise
We’ve hydrated and reset - now it’s time to revitalise. The key? Vitamin C! My pick for this category is the BRIGHTENING PORE SERUM with its vitamin C derivatives and Jeju hallabong peel extract. Vitamin C is another potent antioxidant beloved Vitamin C is another potent antioxidant beloved in the skincare world. It kickstarts your skin’s regeneration process which can help to repair damaged cells, while Jeju hallabong peel extract contains various bioflavonoids including hesperedin, and antioxidant excellent for skin brightening and firming.
Brightening is all about tackling all the nasties that cause your skin to appear dull; enlarged pores, pigmentation, and wrinkles. Lessening their visibility will give you a clear, even glow to enjoy.
A gentle reminder that it’s always a good idea to use sunscreen as part of your daily skincare regimen, but it’s especially important if you use a product that contains vitamin C. Vitamin C and sunscreen work best when they are together - working in tandem to neutralise free radical damage from sun exposure. Without the protection of sunscreen, you will see vitamin C (and its benefits) burned away by the sun.
The thing about anti-ageing care is that it’s a long game - and it’s never too early to start! Healthy lifestyle choices now will make all the difference later, and a good skincare regimen is most certainly part of a healthy lifestyle.
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