Last week I wrote about different antioxidants in skin care products, and how to decode them.
Today we are going to look at how to get the most out of the antioxidants in your skin care, in 5 simple steps.
1. Read The Ingredient List.
If the antioxidants in your lotions and potions are at the bottom of the ingredient list they have probably been added as preservatives, and are unlikely to be active ingredients. As such you get no benefit from them.
2. Use A Gel Or A Serum
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| Kate Sommerville Antioxidant Serum |
Gels and serums are easier mediums to stabilize the antioxidants in, and typically you will use a serum underneath your moisturizer, which makes it more effective. The heavy hitting ingredients that do the big jobs should ideally be as close to the skin as possible, in the first products you apply.
3. Mix Up A Blend
Antioxidants work synergisticly together and target different free radicals, so the more you have on, the better.
Some skin care products contain blends, but if your don’t then layer them.
4. Time It Right
If you pile all your products on top of each other you will have a skincare soup on the surface of the skin, diluting the efficacy of the specialty ingredients. So cleanse your skin, then apply your serum and give it a few minutes to penetrate and soak in. Then apply your moisturizer, again giving it a few minutes (pour yourself a cup of coffee or lay out your clothes etc) then once your moisturizer has absorbed apply your facial SPF.
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| Fashion Editor Giovanna Battaglia (Bat Gio) in NYC with Fendi Baguette |
5. Know When You Need Them
Antioxidants are a barrier and pacman like combatants to environmental pollutants, so you need to use them at the right time.
For most of us that means applying them in the morning before going out to face the day.
However, if you are going to spend the evening in a smoky bar or be out in the city in the evening its a good idea to have your antioxidant serums on then.
They are somewhat wasted if you just apply them before bed.
