The Best Antioxidants for Hair—and How to Use Them

The days of nutrients and food ingredients only going inside our bodies are long gone: These days, we use everything from vitamins and minerals on our skin, nails, and now, hair. While it’s important to eat everything you need for a healthy body, we now know there are big benefits to topical applications, too.

We tapped dermatologists Hannah Kopelman, DO, and Serena Mraz, MD, to learn which antioxidants can provide the biggest benefits for our hair and scalp. Ahead, we’ll break down everything you need to know about antioxidants for hair.

What Are Antioxidants?

Antioxidants are a category of compounds that reverse oxidation—and oxidation is what creates those dreaded free radicals we’re always hearing about. Those are damaging compounds.

You can think of antioxidants as one of your best weapons in the fight against aging. Antioxidants are used by your body to combat free radicals, whether from chemicals in the air or your natural aging process. They’re used as preservatives for food and stabilizers for cosmetics, and you get them naturally in the wholesome foods you eat, where they help prevent diseases.

How Can Antioxidants Benefit Your Hair?

The better question is: What can’t antioxidants do for your hair? “Antioxidants are essential because they help neutralize free radicals, which are harmful molecules that can damage your hair at the cellular level,” Kopelman explains. “This damage can lead to weakened hair, increased shedding, and even premature graying;” so, “by incorporating antioxidants, whether through diet or topical products, you’re essentially protecting your hair from the environmental stressors that can accelerate aging and damage.”

The Best Antioxidants for Hair