Diet

Healthy Skin Diet: The Truth About Antioxidants

Learn everything you need to know about these powerful ingredients -- once and for all

by Sharon J. Yi

0 of 11

Antioxidants. We hear this word every day as it relates to maintaining a healthy skin diet and we assume we also need them in our skin care regimen. But what are these antioxidants exactly and what do they do?

Warring camps in the dermatology world are having ongoing debates about the importance of antioxidants. In fact, the Journal of the American Medical Association conducted a study that shows that ingesting too many antioxidants may cause harmful toxin levels in our bodies to rise, which may, in turn, cause cancer. A scary thought indeed.

Skip to get the 411 on antioxidants now.

But we do also know that antioxidants are the nutrients that protect our bodies from nasty little free radicals, which attack cell membranes and cause accelerated aging and chronic disease. In essence, antioxidants act as a shield, taking the hits these free radicals fire and neutralizing them before they can attack healthy cells.

Because of their protective properties, antioxidants are said to reduce signs of aging and prevent certain cancers. But the question must be asked -- are the superpowers these nutrients seem to have too good to be true? And could they really be causing more harm than good?

To figure out the answer we went to Gayl Canfield, Director of Nutrition at Pritikin Longevity Center + Spa in Miami and celebrity nutritionists Paula Simpson and Joy Bauer. Here they boil down the conflicting chatter you've likely heard about the antioxidants contained in the nutricosmetics and nutritional supplements that claim to support your skin's youthful image. You'll find that while some are necessary for healthy skin, others may actually wreak havoc.

Get the 411 on antioxidants now.

SEE NEXT PAGE: The truth about free radicals

EDITORS' BEST OF

12 Best Acne Products for Your Clearest Skin Yet

11 Best Tinted Moisturizers for Easy, On-the-Go Coverage

products mentioned

SkinCeuticals Retinol 1.0

8.5

leave a comment

Older comments

Love this.

by Mollysunshine Thursday, March 28, 2013 at 02:19AM Report as inappropriate

Applause, applause! We truly are what we eat, and our diets do show on our complexions. I disagree that a supplement isn't needed--our soil is depleted of all of the vitamins and minerals we need. And drinking lots of water is extremely important!

by GigiSD Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 09:37PM Report as inappropriate