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June 7, 2023

The best way to deal with sun damage is to not get it in the first place. And to avoid UV damage, we encourage folks to practice smart sun care—which not only involves wearing sunscreen (peep our favorites here) but also utilizing accessories and avoiding peak hours when possible. Because, ultimately, sunshine is vital to our overall health, so it’s important we figure out how to enjoy it responsibly. 

One way to bolster your sun protection is to utilize antioxidants that can curb UV-induced free radicals, which ultimately means less collagen degradation, pigmentation issues, and cell damage. 

Safflower seed oil is a botanical oil rich in essential fatty acids and antioxidants, including a very special flavonoid called acacetin. A 2020 study found that safflower seed oil and this compound can reduce damage caused by UVB exposure, specifically stopping damage to collagen. 

It works by blocking an enzyme called collagenase-1, which is responsible for collagen loss. Collagen, you might know, is the skin’s primary structural protein. It’s what keeps skin looking firm, lifted, and youthful. With its loss comes sagging, fine lines, and wrinkles. Sun damage is actually the No. 1 cause of premature aging, accounting for up to 80% of visible aging. 

Coenzyme Q10 is an antioxidant your body makes naturally. However, with age it makes less and less of it. It’s a very important antioxidant because it has several functions in the body. In fact, your cells need CoQ10 to produce energy3, as it’s used in the mitochondria, or the “powerhouse” of the cell.

Like other antioxidants, it neutralizes free radicals—but it also protects against lipid peroxidation4, a process by which free radicals damage skin cell membranes. To top it off, CoQ10 protects the membranes of mitochondria and regenerates other antioxidants, like vitamins C and E—both of which are just as important for healthy skin, as we discussed above.