Repair Summer-Drenched Skin With The Radiance-Boosting Power Of Antioxidants
As summer begins to wind down, the signs of a season spent in the sun can linger on the skin, manifesting as dullness, dehydration, fine lines, and uneven tone. While SPF may have offered protection from serious damage, prolonged sun exposure inevitably takes its toll. Now is the time to shift our focus from shielding the skin to nurturing its recovery. When it comes to repairing the skin and addressing the effects of sun damage, one group of ingredients stands out above the rest: antioxidants. These powerful compounds work at a cellular level to reduce oxidative stress and neutralise free radicals (which are unstable molecules triggered by UV rays, smoking, and pollution) that accelerate ageing and break down collagen.
True replenishment starts on your plate, with antioxidant-rich foods.
What you put on your plate is just as important for achieving radiant skin as what you apply to your skin. A diverse range of antioxidant-rich foods not only nourishes your body but also serves as the foundation for glowing, resilient skin and overall vibrant health. Think of it as an internal ritual that complements your skin care and body care routine. Beauty from the inside out, literally.
Fresh, organic berries like blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries top our list, as they are abundant in anthocyanins that help combat oxidative stress. Dark leafy greens such as spinach and kale are equally potent, offering a rich blend of vitamins and phytonutrients. For a dash of vitality, blend two cups of frozen berries with your favourite dairy or plant milk, half a ripe banana and a handful of fresh spinach. In moments, you’ll be sipping a restorative smoothie brimming with antioxidants.
Vividly pigmented vegetables like red cabbage, beetroot, tomatoes, and bell peppers are packed with vitamin C, which supports skin health and immunity. Sweet potatoes and carrots, rich in beta-carotene, provide powerful antioxidant benefits at the table. For a more indulgent option, dark chocolate (look for a high cocoa content, preferably over 70%) delivers powerful flavonoids that support skin elasticity and circulation. Green tea, revered for its catechins and polyphenols, is the antioxidant and age-defying drink of choice. It helps protect the skin from environmental stressors, improves elasticity, helps repair sun-damaged skin, and visibly reduces the signs of premature ageing. Red grapes, especially their skins, offer resveratrol, a compound that has age-defying properties, while nuts and seeds like almonds and sunflower seeds contain vitamin E to reinforce the skin barrier. Lastly, selenium, crucial for collagen and combatting inflammation, is particularly high in eggs, Brazil nuts, mushrooms and tuna. Together, these nutrients form a powerful foundation for skin that looks and feels vibrant, nourished, and beautifully balanced.
The benefits of antioxidants in skincare.
When it comes to achieving radiant skin, certain antioxidants truly take centre stage. In beauty formulations, various types of antioxidants are utilised based on their unique properties. Some antioxidants brighten the skin, others soothe it, and some support collagen synthesis, aid in barrier repair, and stimulate regenerative processes. Selecting the right antioxidants requires expertise and careful consideration, as many are unstable. Generally, plant-derived natural antioxidants are preferred over synthetic options because they often contain a blend of natural compounds that work synergistically, leading to more noticeable results.1
Vitamin C is widely recognised as a natural brightener for the skin. It plays an essential role in stimulating collagen production, reducing pigmentation, and promoting a more even and luminous complexion. Additionally, it helps strengthen capillaries and minimise inflammation, making it a powerful ally for achieving calm and resilient skin. Vitamin E partners perfectly with it, as the two work synergistically to repair damaged skin cells. This antioxidant fortifies the skin barrier, locks in hydration, and helps maintain skin integrity.2
Astaxanthin is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, possessing 6,000 times the potency of vitamin C and 100 times that of vitamin E. It also helps improve skin elasticity.3
Equally impressive is vitamin A, in the form of retinol, which supports healthy cell turnover, alleviates dryness, and promotes a fresh, healthy glow. Selenium helps maintain skin elasticity, reduces inflammation, and calms acne-prone skin. Coenzyme Q10 aids in cellular energy production and rejuvenates skin cells, smoothing fine lines and enhancing elasticity, making it ideal for mature or sun-damaged skin.4
Niacinamide (vitamin B3) soothes inflammation, strengthens the skin barrier and reduces sun-related pigmentation without irritation. This makes it an ideal choice for sensitive or breakout-prone skin needing a gentle yet effective antioxidant boost.
Discover some of our antioxidant-rich miracle workers.
The lips are one of the most delicate areas of the face, characterised by thinner skin and fewer protective oil glands, making them particularly vulnerable to environmental damage and early signs of ageing. That’s why at SCENTIANA, we formulated our Queenly Lip Blush to be rich in antioxidants that effectively restore lost volume, combat dryness and minimise fine lines. Key ingredients like rosehip, prickly pear and sea buckthorn oils deliver natural sources of vitamins C and E, while sunflower oil and rose extract further support skin resilience and repair. Potent actives such as mangostin and palmitoyl tripeptide-1 address premature ageing for a revitalised, smooth pout. Our Rescuing Body Balm features a formulation enriched with eight powerful antioxidant ingredients. This unique blend includes flavonoids, tocopherols, phytosterols, carotenoids, and Vitamin C derived from botanical oils and flower extracts. Additionally, it contains skin actives like retinyl acetate, a stable form of vitamin A that serves as an antioxidant and promotes collagen synthesis and skin renewal.
Complementing this is our Replenishing Body Cream featuring vitamin E to guard against free radical damage, support the skin barrier and contribute to the overall stability of the product. Rosa Damascena flower extract and flower water (which you can also enjoy in our Reviving Face and Body Mist) with their remarkable antioxidant content, soothe the skin while defending it from daily environmental stressors. Argan oil boosts elasticity and softness, while bougainvillea plant stem cell extract may aid in skin repair and resilience with its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.5
The benefits of antioxidants, both topical and oral, are well supported by science, with evidence showing their ability to reduce inflammation, protect against DNA damage, strengthen the skin barrier, and contribute to visible recovery from UV exposure. When thoughtfully included in body care formulas, antioxidants can help the skin not only heal more gracefully but also build resilience against future environmental stress. The best part? Incorporating them into your routine is refreshingly simple. Whether through targeted skin care, antioxidant-rich oils, or nourishing foods, even small, consistent steps can make a lasting impact on your health and radiance.
¹ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780444596031000151M/
² https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6828919
⁴ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39108105/
⁵ https://www.greenpharmacy.info/index.php/ijgp/article/view/2205
