What Are Antioxidants & Why They Matter for Anti-Aging

Antioxidants are one of the most talked about components in wellness and anti-aging but what they actually do is often misunderstood. At the simplest level, antioxidants help the body manage oxidative stress, a major driver of premature aging. Understanding how antioxidants work gives clarity to why they appear in so many skincare, nutraceutical, and longevity formulations.

 

What Exactly Are Antioxidants?

Antioxidants are molecules that neutralise free radicals, which are unstable compounds produced naturally by the body or triggered by factors like pollution, UV exposure, poor diet, and stress.

Too many free radicals lead to oxidative stress, a condition that damages cells, proteins, lipids, and even DNA. Over time, this contributes to wrinkles, inflammation, fatigue, chronic disease risk, and accelerated aging.

Antioxidants “donate” electrons to stabilise free radicals, preventing this chain reaction of damage.

 

How Oxidative Stress Accelerates Aging

Oxidative stress affects aging in several ways:

• Breakdown of collagen & elastin, contributing to wrinkles and loss of skin firmness
• Chronic low-grade inflammation, known as inflammaging
• Damage to cellular mitochondria, reducing energy production
• Faster cellular turnover & reduced repair capacity
• Greater susceptibility to UV-induced skin aging

 

Types of Antioxidants & Their Unique Roles

1. Vitamin C

Supports collagen formation and protects against UV-induced free radicals.

2. Vitamin E

Protects cell membranes from lipid peroxidation and works synergistically with vitamin C.

3. Polyphenols

Found in berries, green tea, grapes, and pomegranate. They support both systemic antioxidant activity and skin protection.

4. Glutathione

Often called the “master antioxidant”, plays a key role in detoxification and cellular protection.

5. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)

Supports mitochondrial function, making it important for cellular energy and anti-aging.

6. Resveratrol

A well-studied polyphenol known for its anti-inflammatory and longevity benefits

 

How Antioxidants Support Anti-Aging From the Inside Out

1. Protect Your Skin Barrier

Antioxidants help maintain healthy lipids in the skin, keeping it supple and resilient.

2. Maintain Collagen Structure

By reducing oxidative stress, antioxidants slow the breakdown of collagen and support firmer, more elastic skin.

3. Support Healthy Inflammation Levels

Many antioxidants act as anti-inflammatory agents, balancing the immune system’s response and reducing skin irritation.

4. Enhance Cellular Repair

Antioxidants support DNA repair pathways and help cells recover from daily environmental stress.

5. Promote Overall Longevity

Some antioxidants, especially polyphenols, engage longevity-related pathways such as AMPK and sirtuins.

 

References

1. Liguori I, et al. Oxidative stress, aging, and disease. Clin Interv Aging. 2018.
2. Fisher GJ, et al. Mechanisms of photoaging and chronological skin aging. Arch Dermatol. 2002.
3. Sies H. Oxidative stress: From basic research to clinical application. Am J Med. 1991.
4. Pham-Huy LA, et al. Free radicals, antioxidants and health. Int J Biomed Sci. 2008.
5. Battino M, et al. Dietary antioxidants in aging. Mol Aspects Med. 2022.
6. Rodrigo R, et al. Polyphenols in human health and disease. Biochim Biophys Acta.
7. Mervis KL, et al. Vitamin C and skin aging. Dermatoendocrinol. 2017.
8. Agarwal A, et al. Role of antioxidant therapy in aging. Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 2022.