Free Radical Damage
There has been tremendous focus and research on antioxidants and their use in fighting and preventing free radical damage (from pollution, sun, etc.) in skin. The significance of having antioxidant ingredients in your skin care products is clear when you look at the properties they contain. Free radicals are highly unstable oxygen molecules with unpaired electrons that seek out other molecules with stable electrons to achieve their own stabilization. By accomplishing their stability, good molecules are then transformed by the free radicals into other free radicals whose function and shapes are now altered. Free radicals work quickly, taking only seconds for one radical to trigger a chain reaction that produces thousands of additional free radicals.

The result of free radicals can range from cell damage to cell death. Cellular damage or breakdown manifests itself superficially in lines, wrinkles, dry skin, loss of skin elasticity and skin discoloration. More deeply, it can substantially destroy the collagen and elastin support system, degrade DNA, damage vital enzymes, impair critical immune functions and cause general tissue deterioration.

Antioxidants/Free Radical Scavengers
Certain substances have antioxidant capabilities, interrupting and even preventing cellular destruction. Antioxidants are also referred to as free radical scavengers. They provide electrons so that free radicals can attach themselves to the antioxidant and be rendered harmless before they every get the chance to attach to healthy radicals and begin the chain reaction of cellular destruction.

Antioxidants have tremendous preventative and anti-aging properties when topically applied to the skin. Three of the most potent and proven antioxidants are Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E.

Vitamin A-Topical
A lack in the antioxidant Vitamin A can cause dry, rough skin, among other problems. Synthetic Vitamin A-like compounds called retinoids, when applied directly to the skin, have been used to treat acne and skin wrinkling as well as uneven pigmentation caused by chronic sun exposure. Used systemically, retinoids such as Accutane, treat acne and help to prevent skin cancer in those at very high risk.

Vitamin C-Topical
Vitamin C, an antioxidant commonly known as ascorbic acid, plays an important role in healing wounds in the skin. Research has shown that topical application of Vitamin C helps rejuvenate the skin and make it appear younger by activating the oxidizing influences to which the skin is subjected. It stimulates collagen synthesis, provides photoprotection, and helps to prevent UV immunosuppression. It also reduces hyperpigmentation and age spots. For more information on Vitamin C skin care, click here.