Two is better than one in many ways—and that includes sun protection. We’ve discussed how sunscreen keeps your skin healthy in a previous guide, but what if we tell you we can turbocharge your skincare by adding in one more ingredient to the mix?

Let’s discuss the juicy pairing of antioxidants and sunscreen, and why we think you should include these two in your morning routine.

Antioxidants and why we love them

Antioxidants are substances or compounds that prevent free radicals from accumulating and damaging your skin.

Free radicals are unstable molecules that are missing electrons. They snatch what they need from other atoms or molecules in your body, harming them in the process. This ransacking makes their victims reactive, prone to oxidation, and weaker. The whole chain reaction causes oxidative stress which impacts your skin’s overall health negatively—leading to hyperpigmentation, acne, premature aging, and more.

Our bodies naturally produce free radicals. In addition, sunlight, pollution, tobacco, and stress contribute to their production. We can’t be completely free (heh) of them but we can minimise the damage they cause. How? Antioxidants give some of their own electrons to free radicals to neutralise them. Antioxidants are also naturally occurring in your body, so with the right diet and skincare, you can get the most out of their benefits.

Antioxidants can help prevent premature signs of aging. With anti-inflammatory properties, they can rejuvenate your skin’s natural renewal processes. This means plumping up fine lines and wrinkles for soft, mochi-like skin and a youthful glow. Antioxidants also help heal, repair, and brighten your skin.

Why pair antioxidants with sunscreen

UV radiation can create free radicals and reactive oxygen species. These damage your cells and can lead to wrinkles, fine lines, hydration loss, and many more skin issues on top of the usual problems caused by UV rays.

As we mentioned, antioxidants stabilise free radicals to prevent harm to your skin—but it doesn’t end there. Studies show that antioxidants can improve your skin’s defence systems, boost the protection of your sunscreen’s UV filters, and treat sun damage. 

Sunscreen does an awesome job in protecting your skin and keeping it healthy. However, adding antioxidants into your everyday routine gives your skin an edge against UV damage and its nefarious band of skin problems.

Antioxidants in skincare

Now that we’ve covered why a good morning begins with antioxidants and sunscreen, let's talk recommendations. Read on to find out our top picks to add into your skincare arsenal.

Vitamin C (and its derivatives)

Ascorbic acid (vitamin C or L-ascorbic acid) is the most iconic antioxidant in skincare—and for good reason. It brightens your skin, improves hyperpigmentation, and boosts collagen production to give you clear and glowing skin. It is a powerful ingredient.

Vitamin C is well-loved BUT its pure form can be unstable and can break down easily—oxidising over time or when exposed to light or oxygen. This instability makes ascorbic acid difficult to process into skin-friendly formulations and why it can sometimes cause irritation, dry skin, redness, and the like. 

People with sensitive or reactive skin often cannot tolerate this antioxidant powerhouse but all hope is not lost. Enter: Vitamin C derivatives. In a nutshell, these are formulations of vitamin C that have been altered for stability. Derivatives are not as potent as ascorbic acid, but they are made to be gentler and more tolerable for skin. 

Recommended vitamin C derivatives:

• Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
• THD Ascorbate
• 3-O Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
• Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
• Ascorbyl Glucoside

Vitamin C derivatives can sound intimidating so companies will often label their skincare products with different names. Whenever you’re considering a vitamin C serum, check the ingredients list to confirm if you're getting derivatives or pure (L-)ascorbic acid.

Niacinamide

Niacinamide is another star in the skincare world, especially when it comes to improving uneven skin tone and fading dark spots. It’s the gift that keeps on giving, however, as niacinamide can also help you manage sebum, strengthen your skin barrier, and it has anti-inflammatory properties.

Blackberry

This is a personal favourite of the Peaches&Crème team! Blackberry is a nutrient-rich superfood in skincare as it contains antioxidants, anthocyanins, as well as vitamins A, C, and E. With all this combined, blackberry keeps your skin healthy and helps you fight premature aging by preventing UV damage and providing a boost in hydration.

Resveratrol

You can find resveratrol in the skin of grapes, berries, soy, dark chocolates, etc. It boasts all the benefits of antioxidants—hydration, brightening, and protection against UV radiation—but it is well-known and loved for its contributions to well-aging.

Resveratrol is often compared to retinol because of this. However, they operate differently and are not interchangeable. Retinol improves skin cell turn over (and more) while resveratrol functions as an antioxidant all while possessing anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.

Green tea

Great for drinking and loving your skin, green tea is the choice if you want the skincare benefits of antioxidants plus acne care. This skincare ingredient helps reduce oiliness, corrects redness, and—through its anti-inflammatory properties—calms down acne breakouts. Green tea also contains caffeine which can help you deal with puffiness.

🍑 Polyphenols are often mentioned when discussing antioxidants in skincare—but what are they? Compounds found in plant and plant-based ingredients with antioxidant properties!

You have a wide, wide selection of antioxidants available to you. If you want more choices right now, here’s a quick list of more ingredients you can add into your skincare routine:

Like Batman and Robin, antioxidants and sunscreen work together to keep you from harm. Our dynamic duo, however, focuses solely on your skin: protecting against free radicals and UV damage, supporting natural healing processes, and keeping things healthy. Give these two a try and see how pairing antioxidants with your sunscreen can make a difference in your skincare.