The role of nutraceutical antioxidants in the balancing act of skin

Dietary antioxidants support the skin’s natural defense against oxidative damage that can compromise barrier function, elasticity, and collagen integrity. Free radicals produced within the body, and those arising from external exposures, can deplete the skin’s antioxidant capacity. To maintain the skin’s redox balance, clinical studies have demonstrated the benefits of dietary supplementation with antioxidant vitamins, polyphenols, and carotenoids. The success of these functional antioxidants for skin in the nutraceutical industry is driven by consumer demand for science-backed claims, natural and plant-based sources, and whole-body benefits. This paper summarizes the endogenous and dietary antioxidants that support skin health, the functional antioxidants that are major players for beauty-from-within, and the trends and innovations emerging for nutraceuticals focused on skin and beauty.