What is an antioxidant and how can it help my skin?

(For education, not medical advice.)

I think most of us have come to appreciate the need for sunscreens to protect our skin.  So what are antioxidants all about?  Well, it appears that UV light can directly and indirectly damage our skin.  UV light can cause direct damage to our skin DNA by creating something called thymine dimers.  Essentially, these are mutation-causing changes that can lead to skin cancers.  But it seems UV light can also damage our skin cells by generating toxic substances in our skin called free radicals.  It's possible that these free radicals can be agents of skin aging and skin cancers.  Our skin has a natural antidote to these free radicals called antioxidants,  the main one being vitamin C, among others.  However, our antioxidant supply is limited and can be overwhelmed if enough free radicals are around.  So naturally, some clever people started to see if we can enhance our skin's antioxidant supply and see if this led to evidence of a protective effect- and yes, there seems to be one!  In fact, the protect effect seems relatively significant and potent.  So much so, that I think it is comparable to the protective effects of modern sunscreens.  And here is the kicker, topical application of antioxidants can boost your defenses against free radicals before you are actually exposed to UV light.  It's kinda like applying an invisible layer of sunscreen days before you are actually exposed, just in case you get caught out in the sun without your sunscreen.  And together with a good sunscreen can provide you with a new level, a revolutionary level, of UV protection.  

So now you know, and I hope that you take advantage of the power of antioxidants for your skin's beauty and health!

Kay K. Sung, M.D.