What is an anti-oxidant skin treatment?

Before we learn what an anti-oxidant skin treatment is, let’s start with the basics, what is oxidation and how does it affect our skin? Oxidation is when a compound loses electrons. In layman’s terms it’s when our clogged pores are exposed to the air and result in blackheads. Now why would a compound in our skin lose electrons? Two words: Free Radicals. Free radicals are unstable atoms or molecules with unpaired electrons. They “steal” electrons and cause oxidation of our skin resulting in cellular damage. It’s impossible not to be exposed to free radicals because they are found in our everyday lives. From pollution to UV rays, they’re everywhere, so our best chance at fighting them is balancing them out with antioxidants. Antioxidants are exactly what they sound like. They are atoms or molecules that hold extra electrons and stop free radicals from causing cellular damage. Cellular damage is what causes breakouts, blackheads, lines and wrinkles, so antioxidants are a critical part one’s skin care regime.

If you want to treat your skin like royalty, you need to aim higher than the king or queen. You need to think ACE. Vitamins A, C and E should be your go-to antioxidants. They are the best at fighting free radicals and repairing damaged skin cells.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is one of the first vitamins to be discovered and is found in the body as retinol. It is the best at repairing skin cells and can be found in foods including carrots, sweet potatoes, and spinach. Orchid Aesthetics offers the Retinol 10x Serum which contains Retinol, Vitamin C and Coenzyme Q10. It effectively reduces fine lines and wrinkles, increases cellular turnover and collagen production and fights skin damaging free radicals.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a powerful antioxidant. It is great at building collagen, repairing damaged tissue, and protecting against damage induced by UV rays. Vitamin C can be found in citrus fruits such as oranges and grapefruits. Orchid Aesthetics offers Vitamin C rich products including the Radiant C and Vitamin C HQ Serum. The Radiant C combines 5 types of stabilized medical grade Vitamin C and a rich cream to hydrate and protect skin from UVA rays while the Vitamin C HQ Serum is a night serum that stimulates collagen synthesis and lightens dark spots.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is not only an antioxidant but is an effective antiaging vitamin. It is used to treat sunburns and dry skin because it prevents water loss and locks in moisture. Although vitamin E can be found in foods such as nuts and seeds, it is often used in the form of an oil and applied topical on the skin. A Vitamin E product that Orchid Aesthetics offer is the Vita-CE Serum with Ferulic acid which is a highly potent vitamin and octapeptide-based product that provides antioxidant protection, antiaging results, and treats hyperpigmentation.