Antioxidants are nutrients, mostly vitamins and minerals which assist in preventing and repairing damage to the body’s tissue.
They work by neutralizing the effects of external factors like sun, pollution, temperature, and weather damage while also regulating internal factors like metabolism, inflammation and oxidative stress.
As far as skin care is concerned, antioxidants are important in protecting the skin from external damage such as UV rays and reinforce the protection internally by defending the cells inside. Well known antioxidants like vitamins A, C and E are needed to keep skin supple and resilient and prevent early signs of aging skin.
While maintaining the skin’s firmness and elasticity, these vitamins also promote skin cell and tissue growth as well as allowing the skin to repair itself against damage. During the process of self-repair, aging skin issues like the beginning of wrinkles and fine lines is also delayed.
But vitamins are not the only antioxidants that can be included into your diet. Others like beta carotene, lutein, lycopene and selenium are also well known antioxidants with many skin boosting properties. All have been observed to protect the skin against sun damage.
Their skill to fight free radicals has been proven by scientific research and when consumed regularly in a balanced diet, antioxidants can slow down and sometimes even reverse some of the age related symptoms of wrinkles and skin discoloration.
When looking for good dietary sources of antioxidants, there are many options to consider.
For instance a range of colored fruits and vegetables like blackberries raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, apples, nectarines, peaches, plums and artichokes, collard greens, kale, Swiss chard, spinach, Brussel sprouts, broccoli and beets can be considered. Other good sources of health boosting antioxidants include dark chocolate and green tea.
Source: https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/understanding-antioxidants