However, certain situations—like air pollution, other environmental stressors, nutrition choices, and day-to-day stress—can increase free radical production while thwarting antioxidant defenses. The result is free radicals, causing oxidative stress. So what does this mean for your skin? “Free radicals and oxidative stress lead to changes in the cell that are recognized as signs of aging: decreased collagen and elastin, increased pore size, increased textural changes, and changes in pigmentation,” says Morgan Rabach, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of LM Medical NYC. And according to Michele Farber, M.D., board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group, it can lead to reduced skin barrier function, too. Well, antioxidants have the ability to actively buffer against and combat this process.* One way in which they do this is by donating an electron without becoming a free radical in the process. Or they neutralize them by breaking them down. And by doing this, they can delay and ease many of the skin care concerns we mentioned above. At this point I assume it’s becoming clear why experts tell you to load up on antioxidant inputs, both internally and externally. Fortunately, you can bolster your body’s internal antioxidant defenses via food and targeted supplements.* Getting your fill of antioxidants internally starts with a balanced, nutrient-rich, and plant-centric diet. But the latter (supplements) are more highly concentrated, as larger doses of antioxidants and extracts are able to be delivered in products like capsules, powders, gummies, or liquids. Needless to say, if you’re looking to fine-tune your routine in the name of skin care, thoughtfully formulated antioxidant supplements with ingredients rooted in science will fit the bill.* Of course, research has also examined the antioxidant properties of individual substances and how they affect the skin. For example, the antioxidant astaxanthin has been found to support skin health by directly acting on the oxidative process3.* In one clinical study, a combination of oral astaxanthin and collagen improved skin elasticity and barrier integrity, while numerous clinicals demonstrate the ability of daily oral astaxanthin supplements to improve skin hydration and wrinkles4.* (Interested in targeting wrinkles specifically? Check out our favorite anti-aging supplements.) But we get to that in more detail in a later section—so read on if you’re interested in the specifics. And this is where you need to do a bit of work to make sure you’re getting the top results. So what should you look for to make sure that your antioxidant supplement will actually improve skin health? Here are some of the key things to look for: Additionally, brands should indicate how long it might take to see results, what results you should see, and (again) the research to back these claims up. Because every ingredient has different strengths and timelines, brands should guide you on how long the process might take. But it’s not just the active ingredients. On the quest to find the cleanest formulas, we suggest looking out for excipients (aka, the “Other ingredients” list) like gums, fillers, corn syrup, synthetic dyes, artificial flavors, and sugar alcohols—if you’d like to use a supplement that has them, that’s fine; just know that truly premium formulas tend to skip these additives. So with that being said, there are general expectations associated with antioxidant supplementation and the skin. That’s what we’re discussing in this section. But if you want more specific information—be sure to look into the exact antioxidant you’re taking, how much of it is in the supplement, and so on. Here are a few antioxidants to consider: For optimal results, reach for a supplement with multiple antioxidants. (Some of our favorite beauty supplements come loaded with them.*) To learn about the best antioxidants for every need, visit our guide on antioxidants for the skin.
