Free Radicals: The Invisible Enemy

Any time skin professionals talk about environmental damage the discussion inevitably turns to free radicals molecules that have lost an electron by interacting with oxygen. In the body, these free radicals can wreak havoc upon living cells, stealing their electrons and causing oxidative stress. Scientists have linked this stress to a litany of adverse health effects including skin aging.
Free radicals have their roots in a variety of sources. However, the most common culprit in free radical damage is the sun. When the skin is overwhelmed by UV rays, emerging free radicals can lead to a breakdown in collagen and elastin connective fibers that provide the skin its firmness and suppleness. The result often takes the form of lines, wrinkles, roughness and sagging skin.

Antioxidants to the Rescue
Antioxidants are the heroes that come to your skin's defense. Produced by the body and obtained from food, antioxidants seek out the volatile molecules, sacrificing one of their own electrons to neutralize the threat of oxidative damage. Antioxidant products help to fill the gap to help protect the skin from the free radicals it faces every day.
Not All Antioxidants are Created Equal
Antioxidant products are only as effective as their chief ingredients. Because individual antioxidants function in different ways, products that contain only a handful of common or non-skin-specific antioxidants may still leave the skin open to harm. However, by combining multiple skin-specific antioxidants, users can give their skin maximum free radical protection. COSMEDIX products like Affirm and COSMEDIX ELITE's Pepoxide delivers a cocktail of targeted ingredients designed to minimize the appearance of existing damage and counteract daily threats to ensure a more radiant, youthful tomorrow.