Why You Need An Antioxidant Serum in Addition to Sunscreen

Everyone already knows the golden rule of skincare: ALWAYS wear your sunscreen. Protecting against UVA and UVB ray damage is key for maintaining a healthy, youthful complexion. If SPF is the matriarch of the skincare family, consider an antioxidant serum her oldest daughter–constantly working behind the scenes, but serving a role just as important as her mother’s.

First, let’s dive into what antioxidants are and what purpose they serve in skincare.

Simply put, antioxidants are substances that help protect the skin’s surface from damage caused by free radicals and environmental aggressors, like UV rays and pollution. 

In the skincare world, antioxidants are often found in product formulas because of their powerful anti-aging and protective benefits. You’re probably most familiar with L-Ascorbic Acid (aka Vitamin C) and Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) in your skincare products. Other honorable mentions are Resveratrol, Vitamin E, and Retinol. 

Why do I need antioxidant protection from free radicals?

Free radicals are nasty little buggers that cause harm to our skin’s barrier. Ever seen a freshly sliced apple begin to turn brown only moments after it’s been cut? That process is called oxidation, caused by free radicals. Since these molecules are naturally unstable, they react with other molecules to gain stability, triggering a chain reaction that damages healthy cells.

How can an antioxidant serum work in tandem with my SPF?

Antioxidants and sunscreen both work to prevent signs of aging in the skin. They protect against sun damage, oxidative stress from free radicals, and pollution damage from the environment. They also reduce inflammation, helping your skin to naturally heal itself. Some antioxidants (looking at you, Vitamin C) can even boost your skin’s collagen production! Incorporating a topical antioxidant along with sunscreen into a daily skincare regimen provides complete protection from environmental damage.

Impressed by all the benefits of antioxidants in your skincare products? We hoped you would be. NassifMD offers a variety of serums that harness the power of antioxidants–like our Daily Revitalizing Antioxidant and Nightly Restorative Antioxidant Serums  for this to prevent premature aging and our Night Therapy Serum and Dermaflect Smart Day Cream for those who want to reverse the signs of aging or avoid further aging of the skin. Shop now and enjoy a bright complexion and complete protection!