Antioxidants are naturally occurring substances that may provide protection against the effects of damaging free radicals on the cells in your body, including your skin.

Free radicals are molecules that are produced by environmental exposures like tobacco smoke and radiation, including radiation from the sun and other sources of UV rays including tanning beds. Free radicals are also produced when your body breaks down food.

Antioxidants are already promoted in a number of skin care products available both over-the-counter and by prescription, and are being actively studied in clinical trials for a variety of medicinal uses.

Antioxidant substances include:

Studies so far have shown that antioxidants can have very beneficial effects on mechanisms involved in skin damage, and so may provide protection against photodamage, wrinkles and inflammation of the skin.