Antioxidants: How do they really work?

On a daily basis your skin is in a war zone. A natural but disruptive process called oxidation, the loss of an electron from an atom or molecule, results in free radicals—the assailants of good skin. How does this happen? Normally, the body’s electrons come in pairs but some atoms and molecules exist with an unpaired electron, making them extremely unstable. Known as free radicals, these scavengers try to steal other electrons, creating a destructive chain reaction. By stealing one electron, they only further the cycle of unpaired, unstable electrons.

This electron “stealing” pattern wreaks havoc on living cells, damaging DNA and leaving your skin vulnerable to environmental stress. Pollution, car exhaust, smoking, ultraviolet rays, radiation and pesticides are all free radicals.

Antioxidants are your best option when it comes to protecting your skin against the elements. By donating one of their own electrons, antioxidants stop this pattern of electron "stealing" and help to stabilize these dangerous free radicals.