If you have been following the skin care research for any length of time, you’ve probably heard of antioxidants. As they sound, antioxidants are substances which prevent (or at least slow down) the damaging effects of reactive oxygen on the skin.

This reactive oxygen is one type of free radical. Free radicals are produced by normal human metabolism, and are increased in the presence of radiation, heavy metal exposure, smoking, and alcohol.

Left unchecked, free radicals damage the body’s proteins, DNA, and cell membranes. For the skin, they lead to aging and potentially skin cancers. Free radicals also have negative impact on the rest of the body, too, as they have been linked to heart damage, cancer, and a weakened immune system.

Eating a healthy diet, rich in fruits and vegetables is a natural way to build your antioxidant reserve. Antioxidants can be eaten (as in fruit, vegetables, or in supplements) and can also be applied to the skin (as in Vitamin E cream).

Some of the best known antioxidants are Vitamin E, Coenzyme Q10, lipoic acid, Vitamin C, glutathione, green-tea, and the soy isoflavones.

Each of these work differently to improve and protect the skin, but any diet should include these substances in order to be healthy, well balanced, and skin beneficial.