What are antioxidants in skincare?
Antioxidants are molecules that neutralise free radicals – unstable oxygen species generated by UV light, pollution, smoke and normal metabolism. Left unchecked those radicals damage lipids, proteins and DNA in skin cells.
Skin has its own antioxidant network, but it is depleted by sun exposure and declines with age. Topical antioxidants top it back up. The category spans vitamin C, vitamin E, ferulic acid, niacinamide, resveratrol, green tea polyphenols, coenzyme Q10 and many botanical extracts.
What skin concerns do antioxidants treat?
They are primarily preventative, working against the oxidative damage behind photoageing – fine lines, loss of firmness, uneven tone and dullness.
Several also treat actively: vitamin C brightens pigment, niacinamide evens tone and controls oil, green tea and resveratrol calm inflammation. Applied under sunscreen they reduce the damage that gets through, which is why dermatologists treat them as a morning step rather than an optional extra.
What ingredients are best paired with antioxidants?
Antioxidants work as a network, regenerating one another, so combinations outperform any single one. The best-evidenced example is vitamin C with vitamin E and ferulic acid, which together measurably increase photoprotection beyond what each achieves alone.
Use them in the morning, always under broad-spectrum SPF – they reduce damage but do not block UV. At night, pair with retinoids and peptides for repair, and with ceramides and hyaluronic acid for barrier support. Take our Skin Quiz.
What is rosacea?
Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that affects the central face – cheeks, nose, chin and forehead. It presents as persistent redness, visible broken capillaries, flushing that comes and goes, and in some subtypes acne-like papules and pustules.
Unlike acne, rosacea involves no comedones. It is driven by a combination of vascular hyper-reactivity, neurogenic inflammation and an overactive innate immune response, often with an impaired skin barrier alongside.
What causes rosacea?
There is no single cause. Genetic predisposition, an exaggerated immune response involving cathelicidin, overgrowth of Demodex mites, and dysfunction of the facial blood vessels all appear to contribute.
Flares are triggered by heat, sun exposure, alcohol, spicy food, hot drinks, exercise, stress, wind and cold, and by harsh skincare. Identifying and avoiding your own trigger set does as much as any product.
What ingredients are best for rosacea?
Azelaic acid and niacinamide are the standout actives – both reduce redness and inflammation without provoking the barrier. Sulphur, green tea extract, liquorice root and centella asiatica also calm reactive skin.
Build everything else around barrier repair: ceramides, glycerin, squalane and panthenol, with a gentle non-foaming cleanser and a mineral SPF every day. Avoid alcohol-heavy toners, fragrance, menthol, physical scrubs and high-strength acids. Take our Skin Quiz to build a routine your skin will tolerate.
