Antioxidants help the skin improve its texture, tone, and all-around health—they’re a must-have in any skin care routine, whether you’re dealing with fine lines, dryness, or overall dullness. And you can include them in one of two ways: First, you can find antioxidant-rich topicals, like serums and creams, to nurture your skin barrier. “Topical antioxidant skin care products help to [neutralize free radicals in cells] that lead to skin aging and loss of elasticity,” Bailey notes. (Think vitamin C, niacinamide, CoQ10, etc.)
Additionally, you could help support your body’s natural antioxidant defenses with targeted supplements—when consumed, antioxidants can help buffer the skin against photoaging by both absorbing UV rays and helping neutralize UV-induced oxidative stress.* You might want to opt for capsules with astaxanthin, in particular, as this powerhouse phytonutrient has been shown to reduce wrinkles in as little as six weeks.*
