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Beauty

Evidence Based

16 Of The Best Anti-Aging Superfoods & Antioxidants For Skin!

Written by Lauren Villa

Did you know there are superfoods that can smooth wrinkles & reduce the physical signs of aging? These powerful, age-defying antioxidants for skin can help you achieve a youthful appearance with no pain and no downtime!

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I bet it’s happened to you. You pass someone on the street with glowing skin and wonder what products she uses. Not only that, but she seems so full of energy. Chances are she’s eating a healthy diet of fruits and vegetables, getting healthy amounts of exercise, and taking a supplement that contains a dose of antioxidants to keep her skin and body healthy by fighting off free radicals.

But wait—what the heck is an antioxidant? And why is it good for my skin? The answer is antioxidants are sort of confusing! But once you understand how they work in the body and how they can bring your beauty routine to the next level, you’ll be looking for a way to work them into your daily routine.

If you were to guess that antioxidants are safe, effective, simple, affordable and pain-free solutions to improve the appearance and health of your skin, you’d be right! Most beauty experts, medical professionals, and ancient traditions recommend getting a healthy dose of antioxidants superfoods on a daily basis to help you stay healthy and beautiful. In this article we’ll cover everything you need to know about antioxidant superfoods, including:

antioxidants for skin

 

What Are Antioxidant Superfoods?


Antioxidants are natural substances found in certain foods that help our bodies fight off free radicals. All antioxidants are superfoods, but not all superfoods are antioxidants. Why? Let’s take a closer look at what makes a substance an antioxidant.

First off, there are certain properties of antioxidants that are only found in, well… antioxidants. To be allowed admittance into the cool crowd, AKA the antioxidant crowd, a substance must meet this requirement:

Oxidative stress is an important concept to understand and to work on preventing. Why? If it’s not addressed, oxidative stress can lead to heart disease, obesity, and diabetes. (1) And you want to know a secret? Not all fruits and vegetables are created equal—some contain higher amounts of antioxidants than others. And unfortunately, there is not one single superfood that can give us all of the protein, carbs, nutrients, minerals, and antioxidants that we need. That’s why it’s important to consume a healthy mix of antioxidant superfoods. Each antioxidant can add power to your diet and most superfoods have added beauty benefits because they are high in antioxidants. Even more importantly, anti-aging antioxidants usually have powerful anti-inflammatory properties that help protect your body from disease and inflammation. 

antioxidant superfoods

 

Antioxidants And Aging: What’s The Connection?


Anti-aging antioxidants help protect the skin from aging by fighting free radicals. But wait, what’s a free radical, anyway? Free radicals cause the breakdown of important tissues, particularly skin tissue. When your body has an imbalance of too many free radicals, it can lead to health problems. Not to mention, it can cause wrinkles and aging in the skin. How does that work? Free radicals break down collagen and loosen the elasticity in the skin. The good news is that antioxidants combat free radicals and act as anti-inflammatories to increase blood circulation to even out skin tone. Not only does this help with sunspots and pigmentation, but it can also increase the firmness of the skin and smooth out wrinkles. By using antioxidants, you can delay the aging process and protect cells against collagen breakdown. (2)

The simple truth is, taking daily anti-aging antioxidants is going to help protect your body from the inside out. As we age, it becomes more and more important to eat a diet high in antioxidants and  increase antioxidant capacity in the blood. (1) 

 

What Do Antioxidants Do For Skin?


How does this affect the skin? As mentioned above, the overload of free radicals can cause tissue damage. Sun exposure doesn’t help either. UV rays can speed up the skin’s aging process and introduce new free radicals into the body. (2) 

So, how do you protect your skin against an imbalance of free radicals? Make sure to get a healthy dose of antioxidants daily to combat free radical imbalance and prevent oxidative stress. Most people aren’t sure about which antioxidants are best for their skin and that’s why we put together this list to help you make the smartest decisions in the grocery store or online! With that, let’s go ahead and answer the question, what do antioxidants do for skin?

anti-aging antioxidants

 

Best Anti-Aging Antioxidants For Skin

 

1. Açaí berry


Açaí berries are powerful antioxidants that promote collagen production and brighten the skin. As one of the best antioxidants for skin, açaí berries help improve the skin’s vibrancy to help the skin look better than ever. The vitamin C inside of açaí berries helps give you a glowing complexion that makes the skin look younger and firmer. (1) 

2. Strawberry 


As your skin matures, it’s natural for it to lose elasticity, and become dehydrated or pigmented. Strawberry is an antioxidant that helps with the production of collagen and helps to keep your skin hydrated and firm. The vitamin C within strawberries helps improve skin tone, keep skin firm, and decrease the visibility of hyperpigmentation. (3

3. Pomegranate 


The research is clear that the link between antioxidants and aging is strong. Fruits like pomegranates are important sources of antioxidants, anti-carcinogens and anti-inflammatories. Because these fruits provide such a high source of antioxidants, they are effective at preventing and treating chronic disease, infectious disease, and cancer. (4

4. Pineapple


Pineapple is a popular fruit, not only because it smells and tastes delicious, but also for its incredible antioxidant components. Pineapple contains vitamin C and carotenoids (bright pigments that can help deactivate free radicals) that can help smooth out skin pigmentation and strengthen the immune system. (5)

5. Acerola cherry


Acerola cherry, also known as a Barbados cherry, contains a large amount of antioxidants, including vitamin C, vitamins A, B1 and B2, as well as proteins and minerals. Now that’s a pretty impressive cherry if you ask me. (19)

6. Maca root


Incorporating maca into your skincare is a complete game-changer for your skincare routine.  Adding maca will help increase the overall healthy look and feel of your skin. The maca plant contains antioxidant compounds that help combat free radicals in the body and protect your cells against oxidative stress. (6

7. Cranberry 


Ever been sick and someone recommended drinking cranberry juice? There’s a reason behind it! Cranberries contain a massive amount of antioxidants and consuming cranberries on a regular basis can boost their antioxidant effects. Cranberry boosts the immune system and combats pesky free radicals. (7

8. Papaya


Papaya is not only a delicious addition to any smoothie or fruit bowl, it’s one of the best antioxidants for skin. It’s chock full of antioxidants that help repair cell damage in the body and combat free radicals. This process plays a critical role in preventing aging, cancer, cataracts, and other chronic and degenerative disorders. (8

9. Grape powder


Grapes are pretty remarkable. These purple, red, and green bulbs contain over 1,600 health-beneficial compounds. The anti-aging antioxidants within grapes and grape powder have been shown to have synergistic and additive effects, meaning that when consumed with other healthy ingredients, like other antioxidants, their healthy benefits get stronger. Other studies have found that grape powder increases plasma and plays a crucial role as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. (9)

10. Blueberry


If you’re like me, when you walk down the produce aisle and see blueberries, you automatically think antioxidants. Blueberries are kinda famous for their wide range of health benefits, including help with diabetes and circulation. Scientists have even found that pregnant moms eating blueberries can help improve the health of their fetus’s eyes! (10)

11. Goji berries


I love saying the name “goji berries.” It sounds like some kind of superhero berry, and the truth is, they kind of are! Goji berries contain a heaping amount of antioxidants, micronutrients, minerals, and vitamins. (11

12. Ascorbic acid


You can’t really write about antioxidants and aging and not highlight the powerful effects that vitamin C (ascorbic acid) has on skin. The incredible antioxidant properties and plays a huge role in the production of collagen in the body. Vitamin C is one of the main vitamins crucial to skin health. It keeps your skin looking bright and youthful. Taking a daily vitamin C supplement can help skin cells repair UV damage. (12)

13. Vitamin K1


One of the best antioxidants that will have your skin looking better than ever is vitamin K1. Vitamin K1 is the main form of vitamin K in the diet. It’s mostly found in leafy, green vegetables like kale, spinach, and cabbage. It’s also present in foods like avocado, grapes, and kiwi. And you guessed it, it’s a powerful antioxidant that helps balance free radicals. (13

14. Ginseng root


Ginseng is widely consumed as one of the healthiest foods and medicines. A ginseng plant contains over 60 kinds of ginsenoids that boost antioxidants, immunity, and protect against fatigue and cancer. Among the best antioxidants for skin, this is very high on the list. (14)

15. Holy basil


Of course, by now you know that antioxidants are amazing for your skin and they go to work to erase lines and wrinkles. Tulsi, or holy basil, is a wonderful herb that helps improve your skin and has a wide range of health benefits, including acting as an antiviral, antibacterial, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and much more. Tulsi is a rich source of antioxidants like beta carotene, which protects against cell damage. (15

16. Sodium hyaluronate


Sodium hyaluronate is a natural, water-soluble salt that comes from hyaluronic acid. Sodium hyaluronate binds up to 1,000 times its own weight in water and helps keep the body and skin hydrated. As we age, our bodies hold on to less and less water, and sodium hyaluronate helps to retain moisture. This is such an important mineral to keep in the system to keep you feeling hydrated and your skin soft and supple. (16

superfoods for skin

 

How To Get More Antioxidants For Skin


For most of us mortals, having a fridge stocked with fresh berries, every type of supplement under the sun, and the time to make a superfood smoothie every day is beyond the realm of reality. But, if you want to get your dose of antioxidants quick and easy, taking a daily supplement is a great option. Find a product that offers all of the antioxidants for skin that you need in terms of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients you need to give your body the right kind of fuel.

SkinnyFit Beauty Juice red superfood powder contains all of the 16 antioxidant superfoods AND it’s the most practical and convenient way to prevent aging. Just add one scoop to 8 to 12 oz. of water a day to experience all of the benefits of an antioxidant supplement, including brighter skin, improved immunity, and more energy. Beauty Juice is affordable, simple, DELICIOUS, and pain-free! Click here to read more about the benefits of red superfood powder.

Another option for achieving radiant skin and health is by using a daily collagen supplement, like SkinnyFit Super Youth collagen peptides. Collagen repairs damaged skin and floods cells with hydration, leaving your skin feeling revitalized and beautiful! Taking a daily collagen supplement is easy! Just one scoop into your morning coffee, smoothie, or straight into water (for the yummy flavored options) and you’re set! We recommend using SkinnyFit Super Youth collagen twice daily for maximum results. Learn more about SkinnyFit Super Youth here and check out the blog for fun ways to incorporate this simple skincare supplement into your routine. 

READ NEXT: 5 Evidence-Based Reasons To Try Collagen For Skin (+Benefits)

Sources

  1. Udani, J. K., Singh, B. B., Singh, V. J., & Barrett, M. L. (2011). Effects of Acai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) berry preparation on metabolic parameters in a healthy overweight population: a pilot study. Nutrition journal, 10(1), 45.
  2. ScienceDaily. (2007). Antioxidant To Retard Wrinkles Discovered.
  3. Markiewicz, A., Zasada, M., Erkiert‐Polguj, A., Wieckowska‐Szakiel, M., & Budzisz, E. (2019). An evaluation of the antiaging properties of strawberry hydrolysate treatment enriched with L‐ascorbic acid applied with microneedle mesotherapy. Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 18(1), 129-135.
  4. Bassiri-Jahromi S. (2018). Punica granatum (Pomegranate) activity in health promotion and cancer prevention. Oncology reviews, 12(1), 345. 
  5. Ferreira, E. A., Siqueira, H. E., BOAS, E. V. V., Hermes, V. S., & Rios, A. D. O. (2016). Bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity of pineapple fruit of different cultivars. Revista Brasileira de Fruticultura, 38(3).
  6. Sandoval, M., Okuhama, N. N., Angeles, F. M., Melchor, V. V., Condezo, L. A., Lao, J., & Miller, M. J. (2002). Antioxidant activity of the cruciferous vegetable Maca (Lepidium meyenii). Food Chemistry, 79(2), 207-213.
  7. Caldas, A. P. S., Coelho, O. G. L., & Bressan, J. (2018). Cranberry antioxidant power on oxidative stress, inflammation and mitochondrial damage. International journal of food properties, 21(1), 582-592.
  8. Mohamed Sadek K. (2012). Antioxidant and immunostimulant effect of carica papaya linn. Aqueous extract in acrylamide intoxicated rats. Acta informatica medica : AIM : journal of the Society for Medical Informatics of Bosnia & Herzegovina : casopis Drustva za medicinsku informatiku BiH, 20(3), 180–185. 
  9. Singh, C. K., Liu, X., & Ahmad, N. (2015). Resveratrol, in its natural combination in whole grape, for health promotion and disease management. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1348(1), 150.
  10. Huang, W., Yan, Z., Li, D., Ma, Y., Zhou, J., & Sui, Z. (2018). Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Blueberry Anthocyanins on High Glucose-Induced Human Retinal Capillary Endothelial Cells. Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity, 2018, 1862462. 
  11. Ma, Z. F., Zhang, H., Teh, S. S., Wang, C. W., Zhang, Y., Hayford, F., … & Zhu, Y. (2019). Goji Berries as a Potential Natural Antioxidant Medicine: An Insight into Their Molecular Mechanisms of Action. Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity, 2019.
  12. Oregon State University. (2011). Vitamin C and Skin Health. 
  13. Halder, M., Petsophonsakul, P., Akbulut, A. C., Pavlic, A., Bohan, F., Anderson, E., … & Schurgers, L. (2019). Vitamin K: double bonds beyond coagulation insights into differences between vitamin K1 and K2 in health and disease. International journal of molecular sciences, 20(4), 896.
  14. Lu, C. W., & Yin, Y. G. (2018, August). Comparison of antioxidant activity of ginseng root extracts obtained by pulsed electric field and hydrolytic enzyme processing. In IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science.
  15. Sai Krishna, G., Bhavani Ramesh, T., & Prem Kumar, P. (2014). Tulsi—the wonder herb (pharmacological activities of Ocimum sanctum). American Journal of Ethnomedicine, 1(1), 89-95.
  16. Byrdie. (2019). Everything You’ve Ever Wanted to Know About Sodium Hyaluronate. 
  17. National Institutes of Health. (2019). Thiamin. 
  18. LiveScience. (2015). Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin): Sources, Benefits and Dosage.  
  19. Düsman, E., Berti, A. P., Mariucci, R. G., Lopes, N. B., Tonin, L. T., & Vicentini, V. E. (2014). Radioprotective effect of the Barbados Cherry (Malpighia glabra L.) against radiopharmaceutical iodine-131 in Wistar rats in vivo. BMC complementary and alternative medicine, 14, 41. 

About The Author

Lauren Villa

Holistic Health Expert., M.P.H.

Lauren is a writer, artist, and yoga teacher and passionate about helping others live a healthy life. She has a Masters degree in Public Health with an emphasis in Maternal and Child Health and has a holistic outlook on the mind-body connection. When she isn’t writing, you will likely find her at the beach, painting, or writing poetry.

  • Certified Yoga Teacher
  • M.P.H., Maternal & Child Health
  • NASM Certified Nutrition Coach

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