THE POWER OF IN SKINCARE antioxidants

Antioxidants are naturally occurring compounds that help protect the skin’s cells from the damage caused by free radicals. Too many free radicals cause oxidative stress, which results in collagen breaking down, impairs the skins natural repair process and causes inflammation. It also disrupts the skin barrier and dysregulates the skins microbiome. By topically applying antioxidants you can help the skin look and feel healthier and younger. Owner of Eunoia Beauty, Kate Dyer, explains.

What are antioxidants?

An antioxidant is a molecule stable enough to donate an electron to a free radical without becoming destabilized itself. This process neutralizes the free radical, reducing its potential to cause harm. Antioxidants in skincare products work much like they do in our bodies. They form a defensive shield, neutralizing free radicals generated from environmental stressors like UV radiation and pollution. By neutralizing free radicals, antioxidants prevent premature skin aging and maintain skin health and vibrancy. Utilizing the strength of antioxidants can dramatically transform your skincare regimen. These potent molecules serve as a formidable shield against skin-damaging free radicals, promoting healthy and youthful skin.

Incorporating antioxidants in your skincare routine

Many skincare products are abundant in antioxidants. Begin your day with a Vitamin C serum, follow it with a moisturizer infused with plant polyphenols and finish with a broad-spectrum sunscreen. In your night routine, incorporate a retinol product before your moisturizer.

While antioxidants are generally safe, some people may experience reactions, especially when combining several at the same time. It’s advised to perform a patch test or consult a dermatologist, especially when using potent substances like retinol. Additionally, antioxidants are just one piece of the holistic skincare puzzle. A balanced diet, adequate hydration, and good sleep are all required to complement your skincare routine. Remember, consistency is key, and patience is your friend in skincare journeys.

Popular antioxidants in skincare eunoiabeauty.com

• Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid): a water-soluble vitamin that aids in collagen production and improves hyperpigmentation, giving the skin a more even and brighter appearance.

Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide): is a powerful antioxidant that improves the skin’s texture and tone. It reduces fine lines, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation and exhibits anti-inflammatory properties.

Vitamin A (Retinol): Retinol boosts skin cell turnover, effectively stimulating collagen production and accelerating cell renewal and repair. It has proven effects at smoothing fine lines and wrinkles and improving skin tone and discoloration.

• Resveratrol: known as the “longevity molecule” thanks to its impressive anti-aging abilities, this compound, found in red wine and berries, has potent anti-inflammatory and anti-aging effects. Green tea: contains polyphenols which help to protect against free radical damage that can occur from oxidative stress, resulting from environmental factors, including pollution.

Graphic designer Grace Williams brightens up every day with her fun and colourful style. She’s not one to shy away from trying something new, in fact, she finds that’s half the fun. Grace shares her maximalist style secrets.

What are you wearing today?

I nabbed my orange long sleeve top from Designer Wardrobe. My asymmetrical skirt is Tussah and my baby blue boots are Public Desire. I’ve paired my look with a pair of beaded palm tree earrings, gifted to me by a friend who bought them in Rarotonga. And, of course, when selecting my outfit I had to make sure the colours wouldn’t clash with Monty, who is the main star! He is wearing a cobalt blue striped collar, paired with a red name tag to contrast his cookies and cream complexion.

What is your style?

My mum says, “you have no one style, you just wear it, and you own it.” I don’t play to any fashion rules, I’ve got a bit of a maximalist streak to be honest. I thrive in my closet of bright colours and bold patterns. And I’m a huge fan of mixing and matching and layering to find new looks – they aren’t all winners, but at least no one else will be wearing what I’m wearing.

What is most of your wardrobe made up of?

Bright colours, especially blues and pinks, cheetah print (which makes up at least 20 per cent of the entire wardrobe) all sorts of patterns, graphic tees, Doc Martens, a gazillion jackets, and a heap of dresses and skirts.

What are you loving at the moment?

I’m loving the blazer. It’s versatile and brings any outfit up a couple of notches. I’ve been pairing my plain blazers with my patterned dresses for a ‘work’ look, and my patterned blazers with jeans for a ‘dinner with the girls’ look.

What is your approach to shopping?

I’m trying not to be such a rampant consumer, so I won’t buy an outfit I know I’ll only wear once. Similarly, I won’t buy the piece unless I’m absolutely in love with it. But if I love it, it doesn’t matter if the piece matches absolutely nothing else I own, I’ll buy it and make it work (that’s half the fun). If I’m buying new, I try my very best to buy quality from quality stores and brands.

What wardrobe item should everyone invest in?

A pair of Doc Martens. They go with anything and everything and they will last forever. I’d say I wear my pair 300 out of 365 days of the year.

If you could raid one person’s wardrobe, who would it be?

Blair Waldorf from Gossip Girl. Her style is preppy glam, and her looks are always polished, brimming with colour, patterns and textures. Whatever she is wearing will always be paired with the perfect pair of shoes and great accessories.

Finish this sentence – You would never catch me wearing…

Fur, socks and sandals, or my pjs in public.