We’ve all heard of free radicals and antioxidants but their importance is now becoming more and more obvious as numerous studies show just how essential they are. From the very beginning of The Organic Pharmacy, Margo Marrone's aim was to pack as many plant-based antioxidants into their skin care as possible. Free radicals are a major contributor to skin ageing, as they weaken and destroy connective tissue, such as collagen and elastin, which results in sagging, wrinkled skin. Plant-based antioxidants neutralise free radicals and also repair any damage they cause, which is essential to younger looking skin. As well as being stable and powerful, some antioxidants have also been shown to protect telomeres, which regulate the ageing of a cell, and so by protecting telomeres they also protect cells. Here are the antioxidant rules: 1. Incorporate antioxidants in your skin care routine every day, both internally and externally. Diet alone is not enough to supply the skin. An antioxidant supplement is important, but it will supply antioxidants to the more essential organs first, with skin coming in last. It's essential to use topical antioxidants as well to protect the skin against free radicals and aid repair. 2. A single antioxidant is not as effective as a blend. Using a blend of antioxidants will be more effective at fighting free radicals than just one. 3. Plant-based antioxidants are essential. Not only do they remain stable but actually help repair the damage. 4. A combination of water soluble and fat soluble antioxidants are essential to offer total cell protection. My Top 4 Antioxidant Essentials Carrot Butter Cleanser - One of the very first products I formulated. Cleansing is such an important part of a person's routine, and I wanted a product that would cleanse the skin gently and also help start the repairing process. I included powerful antioxidants from Carrot, Calendula, St John’s Wort and Rosemary, which act on the skin during the cleansing process. Antioxidant Face Gel - We packed as many antioxidant herbs as possible into this gorgeous gel. Aloe, Calendula, Lemon, Orange, Bilberry, Ginseng and Gout Kola are jet a few of the herbs that I used and the results are quite extraordinary. Superantioxidant Capsules - No anti-ageing regime would be complete without the perfect antioxidant blend – A, C, E, Zinc, Selenium, Green Tea, Gotu Kola, Co-Enzyme Q10, Tumeric, Pycnogenol and Grapeseed are just a few power-packed antioxidants in these capsules, giving the perfect mixture of water soluble and fat soluble for total call protection. Antioxidant Face Firming Serum - My love affair with Rose Hip Oil is well known and forms 50% of this powerful oil-based serum. Other ingredients include Carrot, Calendula, Vitamin C, Orange, Lemon and Grapefruit – a pretty powerful combination! Shop here for The Organic Pharmacy
