ANTIOXIDANTS | THE SCIENCE REVEALED

It’s no secret. Skincare professionals and enthusiasts understand that antioxidants play a critical role in disrupting oxidative stress, making them a desirable part of any skincare routine. How?

Antioxidant skincare ingredients act as natural defenders against environmental aggressors, including UV radiation, pollution, and blue light (digital screen) exposure. These elements generate free radicals—unstable molecules that cause oxidative stress, which damages skin cells by stealing their electrons. The aftermath? Dullness, loss of elasticity, fine lines and wrinkles, and a compromised skin barrier. No, thank you. In simple terms, antioxidants neutralise these harmful molecules by providing spare electrons to effectively abate oxidative stress. This protective process minimises the damage to skin cells and contributes to a more luminous, smooth, and fortified complexion. Healthy-looking skin (from the inside out) is in. Bring it on!

Key antioxidant ingredients include vitamin A (retinol), vitamin B3 (niacinamide), pure vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), vitamin E (alpha tocopherol), and resveratrol — a polyphenol found abundantly in blueberries, pistachios, and (gleefully for me), red wine and dark chocolate. These ingredients have been scientifically proven to combat oxidative stress, and promote an array of skincare benefits including cellular repair, brightening, hydration, and essential skin barrier support. Increasingly, botanical (as opposed to synthetic) sources of antioxidants, such as green tea, tomato, and watermelon, are being harnessed to create efficacious skincare products.

LYCOPENE | IN THE LIMELIGHT

Lycopene is an antioxidant that belongs to the carotenoid family. Renowned for its vibrant red pigment, it’s naturally found in fruits and vegetables including guava, pink grapefruit, tomato, and watermelon.

This powerful antioxidant reigns supreme as a free radical scavenger, actively inhibiting ageing oxidative stress. It has been shown to enhance skin elasticity, promote collagen production, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, to promote a smoother, younger-looking skin.

Additionally, lycopene supports skin hydration, improves texture, and guards against harmful UV-induced damage. In short, an antioxidant superhero that is being infused into the most innovative anti-ageing formulations, including sunscreens. Discover a curated edit of lycopene-fuelled formulations designed to promote healthy, glowing, resilient skin. Today and tomorrow.

  • Byroe Tomato Serum is a multitasking, antioxidant formula designed to address the signs of ageing – loss of firmness, sagging, fine lines and wrinkles. This luxurious, lightweight serum is formulated with three types of upcycled tomatoes, and a powerful 2x vitamin C blend to combat free radicals, brighten dull skin, and fade dark spots. Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 supports the skin’s protein matrix, delivering retinol-like benefits for a plumper, more youthful-looking complexion. Add to cart with no hesitation.
  • Ella Baché Neobright Correcting Night Cream is rich in both red and white tomato fruit extracts, AHAs, and vitamins A, C, and E to gently resurface the skin’s texture, brighten, and smooth. The nourishing, regenerative formula also includes jojoba oil and shea butter, to hydrate and promote a healthier skin barrier. The texture? 100% luxurious – silky, lightweight and fast-absorbing.
  • Rationale #2 The Serum protects the skin against oxidative stress, and promotes a more radiant, even-looking complexion. The backed-by-science, Vitamin C-rich formula combines lycopene with essential ceramides, glycerine, retinol, and sunflower seed oil – a synergistic combination to brighten, hydrate, and refine. The anti-ageing ritual? Don’t be shy. In the AM, smooth over your face, neck, décolletage, and backs of hands.
  • Love non-greasy, fast-absorbing facial oils? Trilogy Rosehip Oil Antioxidant+ nourishes, hydrates, and brightens skin with the brand’s advanced Rosapene formulation. The 100% natural origin formula is enriched with a cocktail of acai, tomato seed, and rosehip oils to visibly improve skin tone, firm, and diminish the signs of ageing. Continued use will protect the skin against free radical damage, and strengthen the skin barrier, to reveal healthier, radiant-looking skin.
  • Sensitive skin? Synergie Skin DermaCalm Soothing & Repairing Moisturiser is enriched with lycopene, squalene, seabuckthorn oil and advanced peptides, to reduce the discomfort of itch, heat, and irritation. The ultra-moisturising, anti-redness formula melts into the skin to soothe, and promote essential epidermal restoration.

MECCA MARVELS

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Pink Juice Moisturiser is formulated with 90% watermelon extract, moisturising glycerine, plumping hyaluronic acid, and PHA + willow bark to gently exfoliate and decongest pores. The lycopene-powered, cooling gel-emulsion melts into the skin to hydrate, smooth and refine. This is my go-to (combination skin) antioxidant moisturiser for summer-inspired escapades. All year round, in the PM, I layer this product with the brand’s Pomegranate Peptide Firming Serum – an antioxidant gem boosted by pomegranate seed oil, copper peptides, hyaluronic acid, and squalene to hydrate, smooth, and fortify my skin. Enduring radiance confirmed.

Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum is a water-based formulation infused with watermelon extract, ceramides, pro-vitamin B5 (panthenol), hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide to hydrate, plump, and enzymatically refine the skin’s texture. This one is ultra-lightweight. Follow with your preferred moisturiser to maximise the skin-loving, glow-boosting benefits. All available at Mecca, in-store and online.

ON THE RADAR

Developed by Kagome Australia in partnership with Native Extracts, Red Velvet Oil is an ambitious upcycled skincare ingredient set to redefine the beauty market. Consciously sourced from surplus tomato seeds to address the global issue of food waste, this next-gen, cold-pressed oil is formulated with a unique combination of lycopene, phytosterols, and essential fatty acids.

Engineered for superior absorption and efficacy, Red Velvet Oil integrates seamlessly into premium skincare formulations, including moisturisers, serums, oils, and sunscreens. Its unique nutrient profile delivers powerful antioxidant benefits to combat the signs of ageing, diminish scars, fade blemishes, and soothe inflammation. This powerhouse ingredient also hydrates, strengthens the skin barrier, and provides UV protection. Genius. It’s coming!

This article was published in the AUTUMN ’25 issue of Retail Beauty:

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