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So, what do vitamins A, C, and E, plus compounds or minerals like resveratrol, copper, zinc, and selenium all have in common? You guessed it, antioxidants.
“Antioxidants are the skin’s defense against all kinds of environmental and extrinsic stressors,” explains Suneel Chilukuri, MD, FAAD, FACMS. “They work by binding to and neutralizing free radicals to prevent the destruction of healthy cells, therefore inhibiting skin damage. There are intrinsic antioxidant systems that are naturally occurring in the body and also those that are supplemented from the outside, either topically or internally. Antioxidants provide skin protection from air pollution, UVA and UVB rays, ozone pollution, smoke, toxins, and even just our natural metabolic processes.” The writing on the wall? Consider antioxidants to be one of the most necessary ingredients to incorporate into your skincare routine if you’re looking to maintain a bright and youthful glow, no matter your age, skin type, or skin tone.