Choose antioxidant products to slow skin ageing

It’s undeniable that products containing antioxidant actives have taken pride of place in our skincare collections over recent years because they help delay signs of ageing and keep our skin looking beautiful for longer.

But what role do they really play, which actives are the best and how do they actually work? And, above all, what kind of antioxidant routine should you adopt?

Read PATYKA’s tips on choosing the right antioxidant product for you.

What are antioxidants?

Antioxidants, mainly vitamins C and E, are super-actives which combat free radical formation in a targeted way. In general, antioxidants reduce cell inflammation and thereby limit dark spots, smooth out wrinkles and protect against skin ageing.

Antioxidants can be natural extracts or synthetic ingredients and are found in cosmetic products and in some foods and drinks. If the body has too many free radicals, this can lead to health problems including a cell disorder called oxidative stress which can cause a range of diseases. Cell oxidation is actually a natural process and cells can protect themselves using their natural defences. However, when more free radicals are produced than your cells can cope with, your body experiences problematic oxidative stress and the skin is attacked.

This free radical overload is responsible for new wrinkles, pigmentation issues and sagging skin.

In cosmetics, the aim is to combine several different antioxidants in highly targeted formulas to boost their effectiveness. Antioxidant products should be applied all year round to combat skin sagging, thinning and stopping new fine lines and wrinkles appearing.

Antioxidants are also excellent at protecting the skin from everyday pollution and at preventing imperfections. Indeed, a good antioxidant product halts sebum oxidation and minimises skin imperfections.

Which antioxidant actives should you look for in beauty products?

There are a variety of different antioxidant molecules. Most people have heard of vitamin E (or tocopherol) which has restorative properties, vitamin C (or ascorbic acid) and plant flavonoids including the famous resveratrol molecule. Then there are the antioxidant benefits of red berries (blackcurrants, blueberries, cranberries, etc.) and of those famous goji berries as well as of the tannin found in coffee, green tea, chocolate and red wine.

Antioxidants are much more than mere actives: they are barrier molecules whose role is to stop or minimise cell oxidation.

To create an effective antioxidant product, it is better to use a combination of different antioxidant actives selected for their stability. A poorly dosed or unstable antioxidant composition will often become prooxidant, meaning that it will have a negative impact on your skin, speeding up the oxidation process responsible for skin ageing in most cases.

What causes skin ageing? 

As we age, cell production slows down, especially that of elastin, collagen and hyaluronic acid, which are naturally found in the skin and keep it nicely dense, plump and firm.

This genetic phenomenon is accentuated by external aggressors which push the epidermis into producing free radicals. Principal aggressors include sun exposure (which you absolutely must keep on top of by limiting your time in the sun and using sun protection year-round), fatigue, pollution levels in major cities, hormonal changes and smoking. All these harmful aggressors can cause cell oxidation and leave cells overwhelmed and damaged by those famous free radicals. 

Why choose organic antioxidant beauty products?

Unlike conventional products, organic formulas don't contain mineral oils so are non-occlusive and allow the skin to breathe. They contain the best actives without endocrine disruptors, parabens or silicone. The natural antioxidant ingredients in these formulas are also easier for the skin to absorb. This makes them effective at counterattacking and neutralising the damaging effects of free radicals.

At PATYKA, we either use botanical actives found in locations across the world or biotechnological actives that we have developed and added to our formulas. Our products are certified as organic and don’t contain any animal ingredients, plants grown using pesticides, additives, synthetic fragrances, or artificial colours.

This means that our formulas contain high concentrations of prized active ingredients which, by virtue of being natural, are easily absorbed by the skin.

The PATYKA anti-ageing beauty routine

To start combatting the first signs of ageing, you should adopt a carefully tailored beauty routine involving products and techniques that give the skin what it needs to stay healthy, plump and fresh. Even if you haven’t yet noticed any signs of ageing on your skin (they are often initially imperceptible), it is still worth preventing them as early as possible to give your skin optimum protection.

1 -  Dark Spot Correcting Serum: for flawless skin and a radiant, even complexion

Pigmentation issues (mainly dark spots) are one visible sign of free radical damage, often appearing after prolonged sun exposure. This organic 3-in-1 serum tackles dark spots, preventing new ones appearing while blurring any existing problem pigmentation by reducing its size and intensity.

Its secret? An exclusive anti-dark-spot complex (oxyresveratrol & sea mustard) which regulates the melanin controlling skin pigmentation to leave skin brighter. The formula also contains fruit acids and goji berries, two actives which stimulate cell renewal, leaving the complexion even and radiant.

2-  Antioxidant Perfecting Serum : for plumped, radiant skin

This serum for flawless skin is a powerful ally in the fight against free radicals as it contains date kernel extract with anti-inflammatory properties. The PATYKA Antioxidant Perfecting Serum detoxifies and protects your skin, blocks free radicals, stops external aggressors damaging your skin and boosts cell renewal.

Its secret? A marine bio-complex which gives the skin minerals and essential amino acids, plus date kernel extract which improves skin surface quality, blurs any signs of fatigue or stress (also responsible for oxidation) and reduces cell damage caused by free radicals. Hyaluronic acid also retains water in cells and leaves skin intensively hydrated.

3- Antioxidant Smoothing Cream (Thin or Universal Texture): for gorgeous, hydrated skin

These vitamin-packed antioxidant creams with a light or unctuous texture have been specially designed to protect skin from free radicals. They hydrate your skin, smooth out fine lines and prevent skin ageing to make complexions left dull by repeated exposure radiant.

Their secret? Their marine bio-complex, a phytoplankton extract which provides skin with minerals and essential amino acids. This bio-complex hydrates and brightens your skin with a comprehensive perfecting action. Pure plant-based hyaluronic acid also creates a protective film on the skin’s surface to retain water in the cells and stop skin dehydrating.

4-  Anti-Pollution Hydra-Defence Mist : your everyday urban shield 

To shore up your skin against external attacks and boost its natural defences, this mist provides hydration, detoxifies and protects the skin during your morning beauty routine and whenever you feel like spritzing some on during the day.

Its secret? The butterfly bush blossom acts as a protective shield against the blue light emitted by screens which can leave skin looking dull and tired. Cranberry and goji berry cellular water: this powerful antioxidant cocktail fortifies, cleanses and protects skin from the harmful effects of pollution. The aloe vera hydrates your skin and soothes any inflammation, making the mist perfect for setting make-up.

5- Huile Absolue : for regenerated skin

As its name suggests, this is THE multi-purpose skincare product par excellence. It is 100% natural and contains no fewer than 12 plant and essential oils to provide your skin with the best antioxidant, hydrating and restorative agents that nature has to offer.

Its secret? Absolute Oil is suitable for and protects all skin types, including sensitive, atopic and fragile. The rosehip oil it contains is rich in essential fatty acids (Omega 3 and Omega 6) and retinol (derived from Vitamin A) and fights skin ageing. Its vegetable squalane is a plant lipid extracted from olives which is similar to human sebum and protects skin from dehydration. Finally, its St John's wort oil is famous for its healing and astringent properties which leave your skin fresher and brighter.

Absolute Oil is a real skin booster and can be used to heal, as an emergency treatment or simply to revitalise your skin daily. If you only choose one product for your antioxidant beauty routine, it would of course have to be Absolute Oil.

Don't forget to finish off with some effective sun protection, even when you’re in town. Also consider eating a diet rich in antioxidants from essential nutrients in fruits and vegetables (broccoli is a good choice, as are carrots for their beta-carotene) to fully equip skin so it can combat UV, pollution and oxidation.