9 Antioxidants That Can Help Prevent Skin Aging

Skin aging is the first thing that people will notice about you as you age. While aging is inevitable, keeping your skin healthy and tight is totally possible. Through the use of strong antioxidants, you can prevent your skin from wrinkling way too early.

Today, we will be talking about what kind of antioxidants you can use to keep your skin looking youthful and healthy. In addition, we’ll also be discussing what kind of products these antioxidants come in, so you know what to add to your diet moving forward.

Types of Antioxidants

There are a ton of different types of antioxidants, but the ones listed below are the most commonly found in nature. Do note that most of these also come in supplement form, so always keep that in mind if you can’t include a specific antioxidant in your diet.

Vitamin A

This vitamin’s main purpose is stimulating the creation of healthy white blood cells, as well as strengthening the interior cells of your body that help boost elasticity to lax skin. Popular sources of Vitamin A include leafy greens such as kale and orange vegetables such as carrots. Eggs and natural milk also contain some Vitamin A. 

Lycopene

The “red” antioxidant, lycopene is a very powerful antioxidant that protects cells from degradation. It’s also been known to help with issues such as high cholesterol and blood pressure. Sources of lycopene include tomatoes, raw watermelons, ketchup, salsa, papaya, and toasted sweet red peppers. A good tip to gain maximum lycopene is softening the food via cooking first, as it makes it easy to absorb.

Vitamin E

This fat-soluble vitamin acts primarily as an antioxidant and focuses on preventing free radicals from damaging the body. It’s highly recommended for those struggling with heart disease and is generally best used in fighting off cell degradation. Sources of Vitamin E include MCT fractionated coconut oil, sunflower seeds, peanuts, and avocados.

Manganese

Manganese plays an important role in maintaining a healthy metabolism as well as forming connective tissues within the body. An unhealthy metabolism means your skin cells can’t properly repair damaged skin, so a healthy amount of manganese helps prevent that. Sources of manganese include various nuts, seeds, whole grain food, legumes, and pineapples.

Vitamin C

This water-soluble vitamin, also known as ascorbic acid, is responsible for halting infection, healing open wounds, and neutralizing radicals within the body. It’s also a crucial ingredient in developing collagen, the connective tissue of bones and cartilage. When combined with humectants, it’s also great for maintaining the skin’s moisture. Sources of Vitamin C include citrus fruits such as oranges, cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower, and strawberries.

Lutein

Lutein is an organic pigment (known as a carotenoid) that is mostly used for fixing eye tissues. It is one of two major carotenoids found in the eye, with the other one being zeaxanthin. However, it also has supplementary benefits to skin health due to its functionality as an antioxidant. Examples of lutein include cruciferous vegetables, carrots, kale, corn, grapes, egg yolks, and squash. 

Zeaxanthin

Along with lutein, this is one of two major carotenoids found in the eye. Zeaxanthin, much like lutein, is primarily used for strengthening the tissues in the eyes. However, Zeaxanthin also has strong antioxidant properties for the skin, preventing issues such as skin aging, wrinkles, and dryness. Sources of zeaxanthin include cruciferous vegetables, eggs, pumpkins, and goji berries.

Beta-Carotene

Beta-Carotene is a compound found in vegetables that give them a distinct yellow, orange or red coloring. It is the precursor for vitamin A and so provides many of the same antioxidant benefits. It’s an incredibly beneficial way to keep your eyes and skin healthy. Sources include carrots (obviously), cruciferous vegetables, and other intensely colored plant-based foods.

Flavonoids

Flavonoids are plant metabolites that primarily serve to help cells find their signal pathways as well as general antioxidant effects. They are used for treating inflammation across the body, reducing the risk of heart disease and skin degradation. 

Sources of flavonoids are pretty much almost every fruit or vegetable you eat. They are found in almost all plants, and a good rule of thumb is that the more colorful a fruit or vegetable is, the more likely it’s full of flavonoids.

Conclusion

Antioxidants are the best and most surefire way to keep your skin glowing. However, it’s important to note that these are all done in combination with a healthy lifestyle. Regular exercise, as well as consuming protein, are important in maintaining skin health. Strong muscles keep the skin firm and help in making it look youthful.

When consuming antioxidants, take care to not overdose on supplements. As the name suggests, supplements are meant to supplement your diet, not replace natural food entirely. Lastly, keeping your skin hydrated, whether through regular water intake or facial toner, is key to maintaining healthy skin.

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