In fact, a recent industry trend we’re loving is that antioxidants seem to be becoming a more and more coveted component in many cosmetic formulas, and with good reason. Here’s the scoop on why antioxidants should be the talk of every treatment room.
Fabulous Antioxidants In Skin Care : What they do and why they’re important.
From your early days of studying skincare ingredients in school, you’ll likely recall that antioxidants are vitamins, amino acids, and other substances that are fundamental components of age management and related skin treatments. However, as a little refresher, and a succinct way to explain antioxidants to your clients, here is a quick rundown:
Antioxidants are what stabilize cosmetic formulas by acting as preservatives and preventing the oxidation process from breaking down the ingredients. Without them, our favorite products would spoil much faster, turning rancid, and decomposing more rapidly.
What makes antioxidants an everyday essential in skincare is that, while they extend the integrity and quality of the formulas they are featured in, they do the same thing for the skin itself. Because they work to fight free radicals, neutralizing them before they can attack healthy skin cells, antioxidants remain one of our most tried and true staples for addressing nearly every modern-day skin care concern.
We use antioxidants to prevent premature aging, promote healing, preserve collagen and elastin, and otherwise encourage optimal skin function. As we observe Skin Cancer Awareness Month in the month of May, it’s also worth noting that antioxidants are one of our most powerful ingredient allies for protecting against UV damage to the skin’s DNA.
Contribution by Kelli Anderson
Kelli has written many articles for Lipgloss + Aftershave. She graduated from college in 1989 and quickly realized she did not want to become an elementary school teacher. She went to work as a receptionist for her mom’s spa and quickly realized her passion for helping others feel more beautiful and confident. She decided to pursue becoming an esthetician. She received her license in 1990 and joined her mom’s team in the treatment room!
Together they specialized in treating acne, and their business grew rapidly. They then began a global search for a skin care brand with the highest level of active ingredients to make a dramatic difference for their clients suffering from acne and other multiple skin concerns. This search ultimately changed the future of their business.
They realized the need for continuing education for our industry. They decided to pursue their dream of helping other estheticians, and California Skincare Supply was born in 1990. Kelli’s daughter Jullea Anderson joined CSS in 2014, making CSS a three-generation female, family-owned business. Together they travel the U.S together working closely with estheticians and business owners, training and building relationships.
Kelli absolutely adores working and traveling with her daughter and they love educating and services their customers. California Skincare Supply provides the Estheticians Edge and is a leader in providing the absolute best skincare and equipment brands at wholesale to our Esthetician community.
The Trend Watch – 11 Top Antioxidants in Skin care
The top antioxidants in skin care ingredients we’re seeing in skincare this year Ingredient-savvy estheticians know that not all antioxidants are created equal. In fact, they all possess their own unique properties, and understanding those is key to using antioxidants correctly. To help you achieve even better results for your clients and curate the perfect ingredient atelier, here’s a closer look at what’s trending:
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
We love magnesium ascorbyl phosphate for its ability to be easily transformed by skin enzymes into ascorbic acid (aka Vitamin C) and support collagen synthesis. As an antioxidant, it efficiently scavenges and destroys reactive oxidizing agents and other free radicals. Your Go-To For: Brightening, fighting UV damage and reducing the appearance of wrinkles. Check out the M.A.D Skincare C4 Intensiv Brightening Serum.
Alpha Lipoic Acid
ALA is a very versatile water and oil-soluble youth-enhancing antioxidant, able to mimic the effects of both vitamins C and E. It helps boost cell metabolism and provides energy to other free radical fighters in the skin. Your Go-To For: Reducing skin redness, inflammation, and irritation.
Chondrus Crispus
Derived from seaweed – specifically, red algae – this botanical extract is rich in polysaccharides, peptides, amino acids, and other nutrients skin loves. Your Go-To For: Protecting the skin against environmental stressors, pollution, and blue light exposure. Also amazing for promoting better hydration and moisture retention. Check out the Circadia Blueberry & White Tea.
CoEnzyme Q10
Studies indicate that CoQ10 is a powerful antioxidant for revitalizing the skin by activating metabolic energy in epidermal cells. It pairs well with other protective ingredients for fortifying and bolstering the skin. Your Go-To For: Reducing visible wrinkles, enhancing immunity, and strengthening capillaries.
Also known as dimethylaminoethanol, DMAE is a very stabilizing and supportive ingredient agent that helps enhance the effects of other antioxidants. It promotes circulation to the skin and can even help with improving muscle tone. Your Go-To For: Firming, tightening, and preventing sagging skin. Check out the ClearChoice® Hydrating Masque + Night Therapy.
Green Tea
A popular additive in many cosmetic formulas, green tea has multifaceted benefits as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and oil-balancing ingredient that can help calm and soothe struggling skin. Your Go-To For: Inflammatory skin conditions including acne, rosacea, eczema, and psoriasis. Check out the Circadia Blueberry & White Tea.
Pycnogenol
A super scavenger of free radicals, pycnogenol is said to be 50x stronger than Vitamin E and 20x stronger than Vitamin C, for protecting the skin against UV damage and related signs of aging. It also has additional anti-inflammatory benefits. Your Go-To For: Hydrating and encouraging healing for dry or dehydrated skin, reducing rough texture and skin redness.
Vitamin D
Although the skin gets Vitamin D naturally from the sun, many people still don’t get quite enough. Nevertheless, it is one of the most important vitamins for cell growth and renewal as well as being an amazing anti-inflammatory, and fat-soluble antioxidant. Your Go-To For: Preventing premature aging, supplementing topical steroid creams, and addressing inflammation.
Vitamin B12
A must for healthy skin, hair, and nails, B12 helps support healthy keratin cells, while also improving skin immunity and improving hydration levels. Your Go-To For: Dryness, dehydration, dull skin, and inflammatory skin conditions like eczema.
Vitamin E
A super-powerful free-radical fighter, Vitamin E is one of the best antioxidants for preventing and protecting the skin against UV and other environmental elements. Your Go-To For: Weathered or environmentally stressed skin. Also great for softening, smoothing, and moisturizing rough texture. Check out the Dermastart Mini Facial.
Vitamin K
Research indicates that Vitamin K can encourage skin healing by improving blood circulation and also supporting collagen synthesis, and protecting existing collagen reserves. Your Go-To For: Targeting dark circles, discoloration, dullness, and depleted skin.
Best Practices for Incorporating Antioxidants
For getting the most out of antioxidant skincare, we love brands that combine multiple antioxidants alongside other super ingredients like stem cells, botanical extracts, and peptide technology. By choosing these types of formulas and encouraging your clients to include them on a consistent basis (at least once, if not twice per day!) you’ll be providing a more holistic and innovative approach that is sure to produce outstanding results.
At California Skincare Supply, we work with numerous industry brands and leaders to bring you the best in high-performance products and antioxidant ingredient technology. Be sure to check out our website and join our Facebook group to learn more about everything that’s trending in skincare right now.
