Antioxidants and Their Head-to-Toe Benefits

Grab any skincare product off of the shelf today. Do you see where it lists antioxidants as ingredients? This vague term encompasses many different substances.

Have you ever wondered why they’re so popular? In this article, we’ll explore the world of antioxidants and how they relate to your beauty routine.

You can learn everything you need to know right here. What is an antioxidant anyway? You’re about to discover the answer.

What is an Antioxidant?

An antioxidant is a molecular compound that’s typically found in plant-based foods. Part of the benefits derived from antioxidants is their power to ward off cellular damage.

As organic animals, human beings are constantly trying to remain young and heal any cell damage that occurs to the tissues each day. Aging is simply progressive damage that occurs at the cellular level.

You want to incorporate as many antioxidants into your diet and lifestyle as possible because their presence keeps you feeling healthy and looking younger than ever before.

If antioxidants fight oxidation, as their name suggests, what are free radicals? You’ll often hear the terms “free radicals” and “antioxidants” used together.

Understand their relationship with a bit more information.

Defining “Free Radical”

Free radicals are also referred to as oxidants. You encounter them in the environment or when the body makes them. Some oxidants include:

• Alcohol
• Air pollution
• Metabolic byproducts

Your body actually makes some oxidants in order to break down viruses when you’re sick, for example. The tissues can use the oxidants for good purposes in these cases.

However, they’re often cast as the “bad guys” because they’re also responsible for chronic ailments. Cancer is a disease that’s influenced by free radicals in the body.

How Antioxidants Work in the Body

Antioxidants structure is often in the form of vitamins, including A, C and E. They work by binding with the free radicals. At the molecular level, both supplemental and naturally occurring antioxidants latch onto free radicals.

You can think of the antioxidants as maids for your cells. Antioxidants and phytochemicals move through the bloodstream after you ingest them through daily digestive processes.

The antioxidants move into the cells and clean out the waste in the form of free radicals. The human body is capable of making super antioxidants, which are versatile against cellular damage.

As a mature woman, the trick is to balance a healthy diet with daily life so that antioxidants always outnumber the free radicals.

You understand how antioxidants work in the body, but there’s a lot more to learn about these simple molecules. Are you curious about the groups and classifications when it comes to antioxidants?

Learn all about the world of antioxidants as you dabble a bit in chemistry terms. You’ll be an expert on the subject in no time.

Classifications and Groups of Antioxidants

Would you be surprised to hear that there are hundreds of different antioxidants available to the human body?

Your body doesn’t make all of these antioxidants, but they’re known to scientists as they understand the importance of these compounds.

Initially, you need to understand the three classifications of antioxidants, including:

• Water-soluble
• Fat-soluble
• A mixture of both water- and fat-soluble antioxidants

Fat-soluble antioxidants work exclusively with cell membranes. Similar materials, such as lipids, simply work together with ease.

Water-soluble compounds remain in the blood plasma where they can filter out free radicals before they even arrive at the cells.

When an antioxidant is both fat- and water-soluble, it can move in and out of each cell. In reality, you want more of these compounds than any other type of antioxidant.

Which of the following are antioxidants? Can you believe that all of them are antioxidants?

Familiarize yourself with every type of antioxidant so that you’re aware of their incredible benefits.

Amino Acids

Amino acids are the building blocks of your muscles. Only a handful of proteins are antioxidants, however. Examples of amino-acid antioxidants include:

• Glutathione
• Alpha Lipoic Acid

Vitamins

Antioxidant vitamins are probably the most common antioxidants known to the general public. They can be ingested through supplements or healthy eating. The most effective immune system vitamins are:

• A
• C
• E
• K

Minerals

Minerals contribute to signalling between cells and tissues in the human body. It makes sense that some minerals will be antioxidants. Typical minerals include:

• Manganese
• Zinc
• Copper
• Iodide

Phytochemicals

Phytochemicals come from plants, including broccoli, kale and spinach. Within the phytochemical group, there are several subcategories, such as:

• Carotenoids
• Flavonoids
• Isothiocyanates

Some of these terms may not be familiar to you, but they include many compounds that are well known to the public.

Lycopene from tomatoes and catechins in brewed tea are known antioxidants. Because plants carry so many compounds in every species, eating your daily fruits and vegetables makes more sense than ever before.

Enzymes

Without enzymes in your body, there can be no cellular activity that produces a chemical reaction. A few enzymes are antioxidants, such as:

• Glutathione peroxidase
• Melatonin
• Catalase

These enzymes encourage healthy reactions, which lead to fewer free radicals in the body.

Resveratrol

Resveratrol is a plant-based compound, but it’s not often found in organic matter until the plant goes through a certain level of stress.

As a result, this antioxidant is a preventative measure against cellular damage. Fighting off cancer and associated ailments is a hope found in resveratrol as scientists continue to study it.

With a good idea of the concept behind antioxidants, it’s time to learn more about the head-to-toe benefits. Improve your skin and hair today with these scientifically based advantages.

Head-to-Toe Benefits of Antioxidants

With free radicals moving around the environment at all times, antioxidants should always be prioritized in your diet. Eating foods rich in antioxidants is a key component, for instance.

You can also look for beauty products with antioxidants too. Vitamins for the immune system are an option as well. Your skin is constantly fighting the elements, which leads to aging.

Antioxidants can fight off these effects to a certain degree. Get familiar with the head-to-toe benefits of antioxidants. Their inherent strength will make you think twice about skipping that next fruit or vegetable serving.

Hair

Benefits

• Improves blood flow to the scalp, which strengthens the hair
• Calms premature aging or graying of the hair
• Strengthens the hair so that frizz and split ends aren’t problems anymore
• Protects the hair cuticle

Best Antioxidants

The best antioxidants for hair include vitamin A, selenium, beta-carotene, vitamin E, vitamin C but also phytochemicals.

Food Sources

Think of the color red when you want hair antioxidants. These nutrients can be found in strawberries, pomegranates, red wine and tomatoes.

Acne

Benefits

• Calms inflammation that exacerbates acne breakouts
• Promotes tissue repair
• Encourages healing to prevent infections

Best Antioxidants

Antioxidants for acne include vitamin C, selenium, zinc, vitamin E, vitamin A and chromium.

Food Sources

Find a mixture of different antioxidants in avocado, chicken, fish, garlic, spinach and more. Eating a wide variety of foods is the best way to take in every possible antioxidant to fight off acne.

Anti-Aging

Benefits

• Boosts collagen production
• Hydrates the skin
• Protects the body from sun damage
• Fights DNA damage

Best Antioxidants

Find effective antioxidants for anti-aging purposes in resveratrol, vitamin E, vitamin C but also in polyphenols, carotenoids and more.

Food Sources

Anti-aging food sources include broccoli, carrots, tomatoes, lean beef, papaya and bell peppers. However, this list can continue because there are dozens of food sources that ultimately calm the aging process.

Skin

Benefits

• Firms the skin
• Reduces fine lines
• Heals scars
• Perks up dull skin

Best Antioxidants

Topicals and food sources give you a mixture of different antioxidants. Look for vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E for your skincare needs.

Food Sources

Sweet potatoes, citrus, carrots, kale and nuts offer ample amounts of antioxidants for the body.

Nails

Benefits

• Decreases stress on tissues, including the proteins in the nails
• Strengthens the cuticle and nail bed
• Builds resilience to breakage

Best Antioxidants

Strengthen your nails by consuming antioxidants, such as vitamin B6, vitamin A, vitamin C, zinc and vitamin E.

Food Sources

Salmon, eggs, deep-green vegetables and whole grains are ideal foods for strong nails. You must be thinking very deeply about this subject now.

Eating right and using quality products on your hair and skin are a great place to start. What about those antioxidant supplements? Should you be taking those too?

Let’s explore the supplement world so that you have a better grasp of their benefits and drawbacks.

Should You Take Antioxidant Supplements?

There are both advantages and disadvantages to antioxidant use as a supplement. Have you ever taken supplemental vitamins?

The idea behind any supplement is supporting your body with key nutrients that might be missing from your diet. Because your body is constantly making and encountering free radicals, it surely makes sense that a supplement might help.

If you have any dietary deficiencies, taking a supplement can work well for you. Your doctor can tell you if you’re a good candidate.

Most people with normal diets don’t need supplements or antioxidant drinks. You should look for natural forms of antioxidants in fruits and vegetables.

The human body is designed to absorb nutrients from natural foods, and not to supplement with antioxidant smoothies or other man-made creations.

In fact, there are some risks associated with regular use of an antioxidant supplement. These risks include:

• Increasing cancer risk
• Reducing the efficacy of exercise
• Encouraging more oxidation within the body

Did you know that supplementation might hinder the body’s production of antioxidants too?

When you saturate the body with so many antioxidants, it reacts by reducing its production. There’s no need to add more antioxidants to the system if there’s a high number already.

Ideally, you want the body to perform the work instead of a synthetic substance. Make your own decision about supplementation based on your health goals and doctor’s recommendations. Everyone is unique.

What if you added a natural form of antioxidants to your daily life? Have you ever heard of argan oil?

Introduce yourself to argan oil and its many benefits. You may become a fan after reading just a bit more about this natural oil.

Argan Oil: One of the Best Sources of Antioxidants

Many of today’s top manufacturers of skincare products are adding argan oil to their ingredient lists. What is this exotic oil?

Argan oil is a plant-based ingredient that originates purely from Morocco. On a more precise level, argan oil comes from a nut.

Because the oil comes from a plant, there are plenty of antioxidants within its molecular structure.

How can argan oil help your head-to-toe skincare routine? Explore these main benefits:

Fades Fine Lines and Stretch Marks

With so many antioxidants in argan oil, including vitamin E, your skin has a chance to heal those problematic areas.

Fine lines from age and stretch marks from years ago can fade away with antioxidant power. Simply apply the argan oil directly to the areas each night.

Protects Against Sunlight Damage

Sunlight damage equates to free-radical activity, so it makes sense that argan oil would be a great protector in this scenario. Rub a bit of argan oil onto your skin when you’ll be enjoying a sunny day.

Any free radicals that come into contact with your skin will have a hard time damaging the tissue. Don’t forget to use everyday sunscreen too. Argan oil has antioxidant power, but the sunscreen prevents the ultimate burns.

Balances out the Skin’s Oil Production

Adding oil to your skin to balance it out doesn’t sound right, but argan oil is different. This product has fatty acids that complement the antioxidants.

They come into contact with the skin. The antioxidants mix with the sebum or natural oils. Because the skin is nourished with the oils, the skin doesn’t have to produce so much sebum.

It calms its production, which leads to less oil and acne flareups.

Encourages Wound Healing

Inflammation helps the body when it comes to dealing with skin wounds, but it’s also a drawback. It creates pain and unsightly marks in the wounded area.

Argan oil has anti-inflammatory properties so that inflammation can subside. The body has a chance to heal the areas without too many challenges.

Takes on Chronic Conditions

Rosacea, psoriasis and dermatitis are conditions that thousands of women deal with each day. There’s no outright cure for them, but there are symptomatic solutions.

Apply argan oil to the skin. With regular use, these conditions can be much calmer than normal.

The antioxidants in the argan oil fight the free radicals assisting the chronic conditions. The body simply seeks out balance at this point.

Moisturizes on Several Levels

Your favorite lotion may smell good, but it only moisturizes the top layer of your skin. Look for argan oil’s power to absorb into every skin layer.

Thanks to the vitamin-E component, argan oil nourishes the skin and encourages it to keep the water hidden within its structure. It only takes a few drops of argan oil during each skincare routine to make a difference.

Try this oil for your mature skin today. If you want to know more about argan oil’s overall benefits, read our comprehensive guide here.

Conclusion

Antioxidants aren’t a mystery anymore for you! They’re actually the smallest yet most effective substances against tissue damage and aging appearances today. We took a look at a few different features of antioxidants, including:

Fill your home with both food and skincare products that carry substantial amounts of antioxidants. Their benefits will be visible after only a few days of use.

Do you have an experience with antioxidants or argan oil that you’d like to verbalize? Share your suggestions with readers by adding your thoughts to the comment section below.

Helping everyone with antioxidant power is a thoughtful way to say you care.