How they work: When sunlight (ultraviolet radiation) reaches the skin in the oxygen rich environment that we live in, it can cause many unwanted and deleterious changes. Ultraviolet light from the sun is absorbed by various

substances in the skin resulting in oxygen free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS). When these free radicals are formed, they cause changes in DNA, proteins, and other skin structures leading to photoaging (wrinkling, scaling, dryness, and mottled pigment abnormalities) and skin cancer. The body is equipped to fight these oxygen free radicals and ROS with its own natural antioxidants but intense and extended sunlight exposure and other free-radical generators like smoking and pollution can overwhelm the system. It is becasue of this that many people seek products that can help increase the amount of antioxidants in the skin beyond the body's natural levels. These can be products containing the body's natural antioxidants (vitamin C, vitamin E, and ubiquinone) or those derived from plants or formed synthetically (Alpha lipoic acid, Idebenone, Silymarin, Soy, and Tea phenols). Topical antioxidants are best used for sun protection and to prevent photoaging but some have also been shown to correct existing photodamage.

Learn more about a specific antioxidant:
Alpha lipoic acid | Coenzyme Q10 (Ubiquinone) | Idebenone | Silymarin
Soy | Tea Phenols | Vitamin C | Vitamin E