How to layer antioxidants and SPF for maximum photoprotection

Antioxidants and SPF are must-haves in your skincare routine. When combined, their powerful properties work in synergy to protect against free radicals and sun damage, whilst replenishing the skin and boosting its overall health. Discover the benefits and activities of each ingredient, and why SPF and antioxidant layering is such an important part of your routine.

Why our skin needs sun protection

Excessive exposure to the sun’s UV rays leads to a number of health risks, including sunburn, deep skin damage, photoaging and, in the most severe instances, skin cancer. The best way to protect our skin from the sun is to wear a high-level, broad-spectrum sunscreen every single day, no matter the weather. That’s because the sun’s rays are present and harmful all year round.

This is most true for UVA rays, which make up approximately 95% of the UV radiation that reaches the surface¹ of the earth. UVA rays are present every single day, even when it’s not sunny. These rays have long wavelengths that penetrate to the deepest layers of the dermis, causing cellular damage to the skin’s DNA, which leads to premature skin ageing and an increased risk of skin cancer.

Meanwhile, high-energy UVB rays hit the very top layers of the skin and cause it to burn. UVB rays contribute to just 5% of UV radiation, but they are incredibly powerful and damaging, especially in the spring and summer months and during peak hours. UVB radiation is strongest the closer you are to the equator, in high altitudes and in areas with a low ozone layer, which is why it’s a particular concern when you’re holidaying. UVB damage is noticeable very quickly after exposure, with symptoms including redness and pain. But UVB rays have also been linked to longer-term cellular damage, leading to a heightened risk of skin cancer.

Along with UV radiation, the sun emits high-energy visible light (HEV) and infrared-A radiation. These rays penetrate the deepest layers of skin, causing DNA damage and problems including loss of elasticity, sagging, lines, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation.

What are free radicals and antioxidants?

The cellular damage we’ve mentioned is caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and free radicals. Both UVA and UVB rays generate these reactive chemicals, which have been found to have a profound effect on human skin cells. In fact, UV exposure is considered one of the biggest contributors of free radicals, responsible for approximately 80% of free radical damage².

Free radicals are single, unstable molecules that are missing electrons from their outer shells. Since electrons prefer to be paired up, the molecules will scavenge the body for a suitable electron to make them whole. But this involves stealing an electron from another molecule, which causes a chain reaction of unstable free radicals³. The process causes oxidative stress, which is what leads to cellular damage and the breakdown of proteins in the skin.

The most effective method for combatting free radicals is antioxidants, which have an incredible ability to stabilise molecules by donating electrons without causing any further damage. This helps to slow down or completely break the domino effect of free radicals.

The best antioxidants for sun protection

Antioxidants play a key role in skin health, protecting the skin against environmental aggressors, repairing damaged cells and improving skin ageing concerns. Some of the best antioxidants for skin health include:

Vitamin C

Vitamin C offers many benefits, including promoting collagen synthesis, inhibiting melanin synthesis (therefore reducing hyperpigmentation), smoothing fine lines, reducing redness and helping to prevent moisture loss.

Ferulic acid

Ferulic acid protects the skin from environmental aggressors and helps to reduce signs of aging. It also enhances the effectiveness of other antioxidants, like vitamin C and E.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E has anti-inflammatory properties, particularly beneficial following sun exposure. It helps to reduce swelling, thickening and redness, as well as preventing transepidermal water loss (TEWL), which maintains the skin’s hydration and barrier function.

Ginger root extract

Ginger root extract is a natural antioxidant with soothing, anti-inflammatory properties, helping to brighten and balance the skin tone, reduce scarring and protect the skin from additional damage.

Green tea extract

Green tea extract is rich in polyphenols, offering anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic properties. This calming and protective antioxidant reduces inflammation whilst helping to prevent premature skin ageing.

Step up your skincare routine with HELIOCARE 360°, antioxidant-rich sun protection

HELIOCARE 360° is the ultimate in antioxidant sun protection, with all formulations featuring Fernblock®, and several featuring the new ASPA-Fernblock® technology.

Fernblock®

Fernblock® Technology is the ultimate in antioxidant skincare. This award-winning sun protection technology, a patented plant extract from the Central American fern Polypodium leucotomos, offers unique protective and restorative action against solar radiation.

Fernblock® is an exclusive, powerful antioxidant that is clinically proven to prevent and repair the damage of daylight and free radicals. It protects the skin from the full spectrum of light and improves the effectiveness of SPF filters, helping to prevent sunburn, inflammation and redness following sun exposure. Over the longer term, Fernblock® prevents collagen breakdown, protects skin cell DNA, reduces light-induced pigmentation and protects the skin’s immune system.

ASPA-Fernblock®

ASPA-Fernblock® takes things to a new level, enhancing HELIOCARE's powerful bioactive defence and antioxidant protection by combining Fernblock® with potent extracts of Aspalathus linearis (ASPA). ASPA is a South African plant more commonly known as Rooibos, and it is rich in flavonoids, which are packed full of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.

While vitamin D is vital in skin health - playing a key role in skin cell renewal, immune function and healing - overexposure to ultraviolet radiation can actually deplete vitamin D stores, whilst oxidative stress damages vitamin D receptors, which impacts the skin’s ability to synthesise vitamin D effectively.

That’s where ASPA-Fernblock®’s OptiD effect comes in: helping to optimise the skin’s natural vitamin D function, as well as protecting the skin’s vitamin D receptors (VDRs) from oxidative stress, ensuring you are getting only the very best from the sun.

Using a high-level (SPF50) full-spectrum sunscreen like HELIOCARE, and applying antioxidants every single day, will protect the skin from UVA, UVB, HEV and infrared-A, whilst also helping to resolve existing skin damage. Another benefit of a regular antioxidant SPF routine will be preventing signs of premature skin ageing, such as fine lines, deep wrinkles, pigmentation, dullness and loss of elasticity.

An antioxidant and SPF layering routine featuring HELIOCARE 360° and ENDOCARE

It’s important to remember antioxidants complement your sun protection – they don’t replace it. When combined with a high-level, broad-spectrum sunscreen, antioxidants help provide comprehensive daily defence against UV radiation and environmental stressors such as pollution and oxidative damage.

This approach benefits all skin types but is particularly valuable for those concerned with pigmentation, rosacea, premature ageing or photoaged skin. For best results, sunscreen and antioxidants should be used every day, all year round, regardless of the weather. With consistent application, antioxidants deliver cumulative benefits, helping to strengthen the skin’s natural resilience over time.

Pairing HELIOCARE 360° with the ENDOCARE RADIANCE range creates a powerful daily defence strategy. HELIOCARE 360° provides advanced full-spectrum photoprotection (UVA, UVB, HEV and infrared-A), while ENDOCARE RADIANCE delivers potent antioxidant protection to help neutralise free radicals, support collagen production and improve skin luminosity.

Introducing the ENDOCARE RADIANCE range

ENDOCARE is a science-led skincare range designed to prevent and correct key skin ageing concerns with its three product categories – AGE BARRIER to strengthen and repair the skin barrier, RADIANCE to brighten and protect with antioxidants, and RENEWAL to support skin renewal - for a comprehensive approach to skin-ageing for visible and long-term results.

The ENDOCARE RADIANCE range is formulated with high-performance antioxidant and unique EDAFENCE® anti-pollution technology designed to brighten, protect and revitalise the skin.

The ENDOCARE RADIANCE range features two antioxidant serums:

• ENDOCARE RADIANCE Vitamin C20 Serum - A high-potency (20%) corrective brightening treatment powered by a dual-action Vitamin C Complex, combining 15% pure Vitamin C with 5% stabilised, encapsulated Vitamin C for immediate and long-lasting performance. It visibly brightens, firms and protects against photoageing and environmental damage with 95% of users reporting brighter, more radiant skin in just 7 days.⁴
• ENDOCARE RADIANCE C Ferulic Serum Gel – Combines 5% stabilised vitamin C with ferulic acid to enhance daily antioxidant protection to help defend against environmental damage, and boost skin resilience with a lightweight gel texture that’s comfortable for everyday use.

These serums are formulated with powerful antioxidants and EDAFENCE® technology to help defend and repair your skin from daily stressors making them ideal to use before sunscreen in your morning routine.

For enhanced results, ENDOCARE RADIANCE serums should be combined with advanced formulations from the ENDOCARE AGE BARRIER range to strengthen and repair the skin barrier, and the ENDOCARE RENEWAL range to support skin renewal and visible anti-ageing benefits.

Morning SPF layering routine

1. Cleanse the skin using a cleanser from the ENDOCARE range.
2. Apply an antioxidant serum such as ENDOCARE RADIANCE Vitamin C20 Serum or ENDOCARE RADIANCE C Ferulic Serum Gel (depending on your skins needs i.e. preventative or corrective).
3. Follow with a moisturiser to help maintain and strengthen your skin barrier such as the ENDOCARE AGE BARRIER Hyaluboost Gel Cream.
4. Once absorbed, apply a high-level (SPF 50) full-spectrum HELIOCARE 360° sunscreen of your choice. Apply evenly, using approximately two full finger lengths of product, ensuring full coverage up to the hairline and around the eye area.
5. Reapply SPF every two hours during periods of high sun exposure.

Evening routine

1. Cleanse the skin using a cleanser from the ENDOCARE range.
2. Apply a retinoid treatment, such as the ENDOCARE RENEWAL Retinoid Serum or ENDOCARE RENEWAL Retinoid Intensive Serum to support skin renewal and improve the appearance of fine lines, uneven tone and texture.
3. Follow with eye cream and a moisturiser tailored to support the skin barrier and overnight recovery such as the ENDOCARE AGE BARRIER Hyaluboost Gel Cream.