The key to glowing and healthy skin is understanding your skin type. There are different ways to identify skin type. However, it is best to know that a product that works for you might not work for the next person due to skin type. For example, if you have the same skincare routine as a friend, you will notice how faster or slower their results appear. All of these are a result of knowing and understanding your skin type. Antioxidants are always recommended for skin care issues. But how do you know the right antioxidant for your skin?
Before we get into today’s article, here is an easy way to determine your skin type.
The blotting sheet method: After washing your face with a gentle cleanser, pat it dry with a clean cotton towel. Wait for 30 minutes to ensure your face is completely dry. Place the blotting paper on your face. Take the sheet off and with the aid of lights, check for oil markings on the sheet. If there is an abundant amount of oil on the sheet, it means you have oily skin.
The bare-faced method: With a gentle cleanser, wash your face and pat dry with a clean cotton towel. It is best not to use a moisturiser after washing your face for this method. After about 30 minutes, check your face in a mirror. Also, if your face feels tight and crusty, you have dry skin. You have oily skin if there is oil in the T-zone (forehead, nose, jaw).
There are four main skin types: oily, dry, sensitive, and combination. If you are wondering about the right antioxidant for your skin, let’s get right into it!
What are antioxidants, and how do they work?
Antioxidants protect our skin from oxidative damage. The oxidative damage on the skin is mainly a result of free radicals, UV, pollution and other environmental aggressors. Most of the popular antioxidants contain vitamin C and green tea. It is also best to know that sunscreen includes a good level of antioxidants, hence, why it protects us from the UV damage of the sun. There are different ranges of antioxidants, but you only need one in your skincare routine.
Here are six types of antioxidants that are great for the skin.
1. Vitamin C: Also the same as ascorbic acid, vitamin C is one of the most popular antioxidants for the skin. It is a water-soluble antioxidant that protects the skin from oxidative damage. Vitamin C helps balance uneven skin tone and general dullness when used correctly and consistently. It is suitable for people with oily and normal skin. Vitamin C reduces hyperpigmentation and redness on the skin. It helps to make sunscreen work in your skincare routine more potent. When purchasing vitamin C as an antioxidant for the skin, always ensure it does not have over 20% concentration, as this can cause skin irritation.
2. Vitamin E: The most recommended antioxidant for people with dry skin is vitamin E. It is anti-inflammatory and also serves protective purposes for the skin. It reduces skin thickness and swelling. Vitamin E, as an antioxidant, also helps to improve the darkening of the skin that happens from excessive exposure to the sun. As a reliable acne treatment, vitamin E is also known for its wound-healing abilities. It lightens dark spots and can also be applied directly on the skin. Since the lip area is susceptible to vitamin E, it is best to pay attention to that area upon application. Vitamin E is one of the best antioxidants because it hydrates the skin and guards it against free radicals.
3. Niacinamide: Even though niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3, it has more health benefits to offer to the body than most other antioxidants. It has anti-inflammatory properties and is perfect for people with blackheads and blemishes. You will need niacinamide to treat your skin if you have eczema, rosacea, wrinkles, and pigmentation issues. It is good for people with oily skin as it helps to reduce the excessive sebum production of the skin.
4. Retinol: As an antioxidant, retinol comes from vitamin A. Retinol promotes cell turnover on the skin. It stimulates collagen, which is responsible for making the skin look younger. Retinol helps to repair damaged DNA and accelerate cell renewal. The constant use of retinol gives the skin a fresher and plumper appearance. However, people with sensitive skin should avoid using retinol every day. Always use retinol as recommended by your dermatologist. It is best to start in small doses as it can irritate the skin. When using retinol in your daytime routine, use sunscreen with high SPF. If you use a retinol product with a higher concentration, it is best to do so in your nighttime routine.
These are the four best antioxidants for your skin. Share this with someone today.