Antioxidants don't have to be mystifying. We hear a lot of about their power, especially when it comes to anti-aging. They are said to attach free radicals which are thought to case cellular degeneration in the body, thus enabling these cells to live longer, and us to age more slowly.

Some antioxidants are said to help reduce the percentage of fat in our body by increasing our metabolism and helping to burn fat, while others will help to protect us against cancer and various other diseases.

The various different types of antioxidants all have varying degrees of health benefits for the specific areas that they help, but tests have shown one of the best sources of antioxidants is from grape seed extract. It's been shown to deliver better results than other sources and therefore is one of the prominent antioxidants used in the cosmetic industry. Grape seed extract helps to strengthen blood vessels and there by stops them from becoming weakened and damaged.

With twenty times more strength than Vitamin C and fifty times more than Vitamin A, hospitals and doctors have even begun using it for the treatment of people to help them recover from heart disease.There is no doubt a lot more research that will be going into the properties of grape seed extract and its benefits for anti aging!

Vitamin C: Good old vitamin C! The positive is that there are numerous scientific studies demonstrating that OTC topical creams with vitamin C, or certain derivatives, are effective in controlling wrinkles and fine lines. Many vitamin C based products are promited as offering "natural skin care".

The negative is that it is somewhat difficult to formulate these ingredients so that they remain stable. When exposed to air, vitamin C becomes oxidized and, thus, ineffective and potentially harmful. Some products, costing more, claim to provide stabilization, but this is a little dubious.

In truth, L-Ascorbic acid is the only form of vitamin C that is effectively used by skin cells. There are other forms of Vitamin C which must first be converted into L-Ascorbic acid before being available to benefit the skin. So, it's wise to purchase products that contain L-Ascorbic acid bearing in mind that stabilization is a potential problem.

There are promising studies taking place of several vitamin C derivatives which will prove to be more stable.

Product Recommendations

Abella Cellution C 12% Topical Vitamin C 1oz:  FREE Shipping. 115% Price Protection. Contains 12% Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), the most stable form of Vitamin C on the market today. Recent new technology for stabilizing high concentrations of L-ascorbic acid, as in Abella's Cellution C 12% L-ascorbic Acid, have made it possible to deliver more vitamin C into the skin topically than ever before. Vitamin C provides many essential benefits to the skin such as: Protects against UV radiation free radical damage Reduces erythema (redness) Stimulates collagen production improving skin tone and elasticity Helps control inflammation Promotes wound healing Prevents UV immunosupression & DNA mutation of skin cells which may lead to cancer formation Remember, the benefits of vitamin C should not be limited to the face and neck, but should be applied the entire body by mixing a full dropper with your favorite body lotion.

 

Obagi Professional-C Serum 10% Strength 30ml:  FREE Shipping. 115% Price Protection. In the proper form and potency, vitamin C attacks free oxygen radicals. In addition to its function as a powerful antioxidant, vitamin C also encourages the production of collagen and elastin. Used daily, Cffectives vitamin C products can help restore the luster and youthfulness that time has taken away. Cffectives contains L-ascorbic acid, the most potent form of vitamin C available, and the only form of vitamin C the body uses to combat oxy-radicals.

Review other ingredients found in skin care products for anti aging