What is oxidative damage?

Understanding and defending your skin against oxidative damage is crucial for maintaining its health. Oxidative damage happens when your body has too many oxidants and not enough antioxidants to balance them out. This imbalance, known as oxidative stress, can lead to inflammation, damage to your skin cells' structure and function, and a breakdown of collagen, which can result in less firm and less resilient skin. Oxidation also directly damages our DNA, leading to cell death and skin cancer.

The main culprits behind oxidative damage are free radicals, which are healthy cells turned bad as a result of trauma, that can then harm healthy cells. These free radicals are generated by environmental stressors like UV radiation, pollution, and even processes within our own bodies, like metabolism. When these free radicals attack healthy cells, they can cause accelerated ageing, visible fine lines, uneven skin tone, and a loss of skin elasticity. Crucially, they can also increase the risk of skin cancer.

The good news is that with the right skincare routine, you can protect your skin during the day and restore it at night, effectively combating oxidative damage.

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Daytime routine for protecting skin.

In human physiology, one of the critical functions of skin is to provide protection from the damaging environmental stressors that the body experiences on a daily basis. An effective daytime skincare routine is essential, and should focus on protection, shielding skin against oxidative stress.

If you’re running out the door, your bare minimum routine should be an SPF. The sun is the primary source of those free radicals that create cellular and structural damage. Choosing an SPF that’s boosted by antioxidants gives you more than just UVA and UVB protection, and uplevels your oxidation defence. For strong, invisible protective coverage, use the dr.NC FaceShield TRUE 50. A pure mineral only (Zn + TiO2) SPF 50, this formula is infused with powerful antioxidants niacinamide, vitamin C and E. If you’re serious about environmental protection and giving yourself a skin-perfecting touch of extra tint, add in the dr.NC Concentrated CC+ Cream SPF30, an additional multitasking option for colour correction and daily protection. There’s no such thing as too much SPF.

For the true skincare aficionados and skin perfectionists, follow this AM routine to ensure a more comprehensive and effective approach for your skin's long-term health, radiance and vitality.

Step 1. Cleanse.

Cleanse with the dr.NC Concentrated Cleanser. This cleanses without stripping, and is boosted with botanical anti-inflammatories and antioxidants B3, helping to protect your skin from environmental ageing and damage throughout the day.

Step 2. Clarify.

Use the dr.NC Concentrated Clarifier to exfoliate, decongest, produce new skin cells, and even out skin tone. This powerhouse serum removes the damaged DNA and senescent cells (AKA zombie cells), and provides that signature dr.NC glow.

Step 3. Moisturise.

Restore, rebalance, and rehydrate with powerful moisture-binding ingredients and restorative antioxidant vitamins in the dr.NC Concentrated Moisturiser+. Boosted with 5% niacinamide, this lightweight, antioxidant-rich and anti-inflammatory multivitamin complex feels like you’re wearing nothing at all, making it the perfect base for makeup, if you wear it.

Step 4. Protect.

It’s important to apply SPF as the final step in your routine, with the exception of makeup which can be applied afterwards. Applying SPF too early in your routine prevents serums or moisturisers from doing their job properly, as they cannot fight through the layer the SPF will create to protect your skin. You can substitute your foundation with the dr.NC CC+ Cream SPF30 if you’re looking for biological benefits. If you’re looking for invisible coverage, use the dr.NC FaceShield TRUE 50. Both products are 100% mineral and boosted with antioxidants.

If you’re serious about boosting your environmental protection, use both products. Begin with FaceShield TRUE 50 and follow with the dr.NC CC+ Cream SPF30. As both products are 100% mineral based, they integrate perfectly with NO risk of clogging or comedones. More is more when it comes to SPF. 

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Nighttime routine for restoring skin.

Night is when your skin naturally goes into repair mode, making it the perfect opportunity to apply products focused on recovery and rejuvenation.

Step 1. Cleanse.

Bring out your dr.NC Concentrated Cleanser again and cleanse away the dirt, oil, and pollutants that have accumulated throughout the day, allowing your skin to breathe and regenerate unimpeded. This cleanser is designed to remove impurities and debris, reduce inflammation,and  hydrate WITHOUT stripping or damaging your skin’s barrier layer.

Step 2. Rebuild.

Lighten, brighten, rebuild, and protect with the vitamin-rich dr.NC Concentrated Illuminator. This multitasking skin brightening serum evens out skin tone and prevents signs of environmental ageing and sun damage thanks to a formula potent in antioxidants and anti-inflammatories, assisting with reducing oxidative damage and inflammation. 

Step 3. Hydrate.

Your skin goes through a lot during the day. The deeply hydrating dr.NC Concentrated Hydration+ multi tasks as a night cream, enriching moisturiser cream and eye cream all in one. It helps to stop moisture loss and replenish the barrier layer, supporting your skin to bounce back whilst you sleep. It’s boosted with MORE antioxidant Niacinamide, giving a layering approach to repairing, supporting your skin to preserve and rebuild during the night.

Step 4. Sleep.

There’s nothing skin likes more than a good night's rest. Prevent taking blue light to bed with you and stay screenless before you sleep. Blue light is not only an electromagnetic environmental stressor for our skin, but it convinces your brain it’s actually daytime, preventing your body from creating the melatonin required to go to sleep. Add in an eye mask to intensify your deep sleep cycle, where all the cellular repair occurs. Your skin will thank you for it.

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The importance of a dedicated routine.

Oxidative damage is relentless, and the effects accumulate over time, making a dedicated AM and PM skincare routine essential. Incorporating products specifically formulated to combat oxidative stress, such as those in our suggested routines, provides a targeted approach to skin care that addresses the root cause of skin ageing and damage. By protecting your skin during the day and focusing on restoration at night, you can significantly reduce the impact of free radicals, maintaining your skin's health, vitality, and youthfulness.