Antioxidant Superheroes in Japanese Skincare: Benefits & Must-Know Ingredients
- Glow by Tomoko
- 11 hours ago
- 7 min read
From Astaxanthin to Fullerene—discover the antioxidant stars of Japanese skincare.
We’ve all heard that antioxidants are good for our body and skin—but what exactly are they, and how do they work?
In Japanese skincare, many products feature powerful antioxidant ingredients that are not only highly effective but often hard to find outside of Japan. From unique plant-based extracts to advanced biotech formulations, these ingredients are the unsung heroes behind that glass skin glow✨
Personally, I love skincare products that not only feature well-known ingredient like vitamin C, retinol and growth factors, but also include supporting ingredients like great antioxidants. These additions make a big difference in a product’s overall effectiveness, helping to brighten, hydrate, and protect the skin.
Let’s dive into the world of antioxidants in Japanese skincare and discover why they’re so beloved!
1: What Is Oxidation and How It Affects Our Skin
Oxidation happens when a substance reacts with oxygen. We see this in everyday life—like when metal rusts or a sliced apple turns brown. But oxidation also happens inside our bodies.
Just like a sliced apple turns brown, our skin goes through a similar process when exposed to things like UV and pollution.
While oxidation is a natural part of how our body functions—even breathing is an oxidative process—problems start when too much oxidative stress occurs. This can be triggered by things like inflammation, UV exposure, pollution, or unhealthy lifestyle habits. When that happens, the body produces too many free radicals (also known as reactive oxygen species). Free radicals are unstable molecules that damage cells, proteins, and even DNA.
For example, when UV rays hit the skin, they can cause the oils on the skin's surface to oxidize, turning them into harmful substances called lipid peroxides. These compounds can lead to dark spots and dullness. On top of that, free radicals also weaken the skin's ability to produce collagen and elastin, the proteins essential for skin's firmness and elasticity.
Put simply, oxidation can damage skin cells and structures, leading to signs of aging like dark spots, wrinkles, and sagging.
2: How Antioxidants Protect Your Skin from Oxidative Stress
Our body naturally produce free radicals even during essential activities like breathing. This means it's impossible to eliminate them completely. However, as we age, our body's ability to neutralize these harmful molecules gradually weakens. That's why it becomes even more important to not only improve our daily habits but also incorporate skincare ingredients that help defend against oxidative stress. This is where antioxidants come to the rescue.
When applied topically through skincare products, antioxidants act like a protective shield. Free radicals are unstable molecules that try to "steal" tiny particles called "electrons" from healthy skin cells. (Electrons are like building blocks that help keep cells healthy.)
When free radicals steal these electrons, they cause damage to the skin, like collagen breakdown and dark spots.
Antioxidants work by donating electrons to free radicals before these "bad guys" steal from healthy cells. This way, antioxidants can calm and stabilize free radicals, stopping them from damaging your skin.
In short, antioxidants help prevent and repair damage caused by free radicals.
3: Different Types of Antioxidants Popular in Japanese Skincare
Unlike dryness, blemishes or fine lines, oxidation might seem like a vague concept—but using antioxidant skincare is actually key to keeping your skin healthy and glowing ✨
Every day, stressors like UV rays, pollution, and even emotional stress trigger the formation of free radicals, which lead to oxidation. (Remember how a sliced apple turns brown? Something similar happens in our skin!)
That’s why it’s so important to “reset” your skin daily with products that help fight oxidative stress. As we age, our skin’s ability to neutralize this kind of damage gradually weakens—making it even more essential to include antioxidant-rich products in your routine. Not only can they help prevent long-term damage, but they also slow down visible signs of aging.
So now, let me introduce some of my favorite antioxidant superheroes ready to rescue your skin!
⭐️Vitamin C
Vitamin C is one of the most well-known and trusted antioxidants in skincare—and for good reason. Its powerful antioxidant properties are especially effective at combating oxidative stress caused by UV exposure, helping prevent the skin’s surface oils from oxidizing into harmful lipid peroxides throughout the day. (That’s why I recommend using Vitamin C products both in the morning ☀️and at night🌙.)
In addition to its protective role, Vitamin C is widely recognized for its brightening benefits. It helps reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation, supporting a more even, radiant complexion.
Even though vitamin C is great for skin, it has a weakness too. Vitamin C oxidizes pretty quickly once it has done its antioxidant job. But here's the cool part: supporting antioxidants like below (fullerene and glutathione) can help protect or restore Vitamin C, keeping it active for longer.
⭐️ Fullerene
Fullerene is a molecule made entirely of carbon—arranged in a structure that resembles a soccer ball ⚽️. But it’s not just cool-looking—it’s a powerful antioxidant, boasting 250 times more antioxidant power than Vitamin C!
While most antioxidants (like Vitamin C) sacrifice themselves to protect the skin—by offering its electron to free radicals, becoming oxidized themselves and losing their effect—Fullerene works differently.
Fullerene absorbs and neutralizes free radicals like a vacuum cleaner, instead of being destroyed in the process.
This way, fullerene continues to work longer, offering extended antioxidant protection—a unique feature among skincare ingredients.
⭐️ Astaxanthin
Astaxanthin is a natural red pigment widely found in nature. It belongs to the carotenoid family, like lycopene in tomatoes or β-carotene in carrots—both known for their antioxidant properties. Among them, astaxanthin stands out with exceptionally powerful antioxidant strength, making it one of the most popular skincare ingredients in Japan today.
Astaxanthin originates from Haematococcus, a type of algae. This algae is eaten by plankton, which are then eaten by shrimp, crabs, and fish—spreading astaxanthin throughout the food chain.
Astaxanthin helps fight free radicals, especially the ones caused by UV rays. It can help reduce inflammation, prevent dark spots, and protect your skin from aging.
⭐️ Glutathione
Glutathione is made from three amino acids:Glutamic acid, Cysteine, and Glycine. It’s a powerful antioxidant that also inhibits excess melanin production, promoting a brigher, more even and radiant skin tone.
On a side note, glutathione is also a popular ingredient in IV therapy used for liver detox and improving overall skin clarity. In Japan, this treatment is known as 白玉点滴 (Shiratama Tenteki)—shiratama means small mochi rice balls (cute, bright, smooth and plump!⚪️), and tenteki means IV therapy. It's a popular procedure widely offered at many clinics.
4: How Antioxidants Protect Your Skin from Oxidative Stress
Now that we understand how these antioxidants work, here are some top skincare products known for their antioxidant-rich formulas.
This is the ultimate antioxidant cocktail!
While its star ingredient is pure, potent vitamin C (ascorbic acid), it’s backed by powerful antioxidants like astaxanthin, and fullerene. These not only protect the unstable vitamin C from oxidation but also enhance its brightening effects—delivering radiant glowing results like no other.
The star of the show here egg shell membrane, rich in amino acids naturally compatible with human skin. It's paired with powerhouse antioxidants like glutathione and fullerene to boost protection against oxidative stress. Plus, proteoglycan delivers deep, lasting hydration. Super gentle and perfect for calming sensitive or stressed-out skin.
Packed with five types of vitamin C derivatives, this serum gives you all the glow-up benefits. In addition to regenerative ingredients like stem cell exosomes, messenger CC features supporting ingredients like amazing glutathione and astaxanthin, workiing together to brighen, hydrate and protect your skin.
5: Key Takeaways: Antioxidant Skincare from Japan
Oxidation is a natural part of life—but too much oxidative stress due to UV rays, pollutants and stress can seriously impact our bodies, including our skin. That’s why adding high-quality antioxidants into your daily skincare routine makes a huge difference.
Personally, I believe a great skincare product isn’t just about one “hero” ingredient like Vitamin C or Retinol. It’s about the full formula—especially the supporting players. Take Vitamin C, for example: it’s a powerful antioxidant, but it's also super unstable and quickly oxidizes once it's done its job. That’s where antioxidant team players like glutathione, astaxanthin, or fullerene come in—they help stabilize and extend the performance of those main ingredients.
These antioxidants are super popular in Japanese skincare—and sometimes even take the spotlight as the star of the formula. But I especially love when they're part of a well-balanced blend, working together to deliver even better results. It’s all about synergy—when each ingredient plays its role and brings out the best in the others.
This kind of synergy is what makes antioxidants so powerful—it’s all about teamwork when it comes to fighting free radical damage.
That said, ingredients like glutathione and fullerene can be expensive to source, so many products only include them in very small amounts. That’s why it’s so important to choose skincare brands that genuinely care about ingredient integrity and are committed to quality.
I’m always on the lookout for products that deliver, and I’ll keep sharing my favorites with you!
In June 2024, as I transitioned from Tokyo to Dubai for the next few years, I made a promise to remain connected with all of my clients by sharing my skincare expertise and constantly seeking to grow in knowledge. This commitment propels me to discover and master cutting-edge treatments, ensuring that when we reunite—be it in Tokyo or anywhere around the world—I will be equipped with an even more expansive knowledge of advanced skincare solutions. Stay tuned for more exciting skincare tips!
I look forward to seeing you all again soon!
Please don't hesitate to reach out via email or DM if you have any questions or concerns!
コメント