Indeed! This is especially true today as our skin is regularly assaulted by a number of environmental agers – sun, pollutants, lack of sleep, and the list goes on.
You are likely already educating your clients about the importance of antioxidants in skin care. We know oxidation causes free radicals, which damages our cells, and breaks down collagen and elastin, increasing the rate at which fines lines and wrinkles appear.
Antioxidants work to disable free radicals and prevent cell damage by inhibiting the oxidation of other molecules. An interesting fact, however, is that antioxidants are actually oxidized themselves, which is what enables them to effectively terminate oxidation chain reactions. Although increased inflammation is noted as the key factor to aging, it is important to remember that it is free radical damage that causes inflammation. It’s always worth revisiting this with clients and sending them home with antioxidant-rich topicals to maintain healthy skin in between treatments.
Getting Antioxidant Support
As we age, our bodies produce fewer antioxidants and more free radicals. Since antioxidants are not stored by the body, we routinely have to replenish them, both internally and topically. Each produces different benefits for the body. It never hurts to remind clients of the antioxidant-rich foods they could be including in their diet:
- Pomegranates
- Cranberries
- Blueberries
- Leafy-green vegetables like kale and spinach
- Almonds and walnuts
You will know best what type of home care system to put your clients on, but keep in mind one key quality to look for in any topical product is that it easily absorbs into the skin. This allows for optimal delivery of antioxidants to the deeper skin cells. We use a variety of antioxidant sources in our formulas including L-ascorbic acid, D-alpha tocopherol, carotenoids, flavonoids and polyphenols. Our base for our antioxidant formulas, regardless of the source was developed to be easily absorbed. These ingredients can be found in:
- Grape Seed Hydrating Serum
- Super C Serum
- Antioxidant Complex Serum
- Therapy E and Pumpkin E Serum
- Satin Peptide
- Sea Gems
This is a short list, but it will give you an idea of how deeply you can customize a home skin care system for your clients based on their antioxidant needs. Bottom line, be sure to turn clients on to antioxidant products by educating them on the science behind them. Provide white papers, tip sheets to take home on antioxidant-rich foods, as well as topical antioxidants. Also incorporate them into your treatments so clients can experience and feel the product.
Question: What are you doing to help educate your client about whole body health?