How oxidation ages your skin. Understanding reactive oxygen species and the aging cascade.

Oxidation is the process by which molecules react with oxygen and degrade. Iron rusting is oxidation. The same thing happens inside your skin.

UV rays, stress, poor sleep, and diet trigger the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) inside the skin. ROS is essentially rust forming in the skin, damaging surrounding cells in sequence.

Increased ROS first causes inflammation. This inflammation activates enzymes called MMP (Matrix Metalloproteinases) that break down collagen. As collagen breaks down, firmness and elasticity are lost and wrinkles deepen.

In youth, skin cell production exceeds breakdown, so aging is not felt. But as we age, production declines, and eventually breakdown exceeds production. This is when aging becomes visibly apparent.

The most important factors in oxidation care are both the quality of the ingredient and the concentration.

Fullerene has 172x the antioxidant capacity of Vitamin C and continuously eliminates ROS for over 20 hours. Vitamin C promotes collagen synthesis. Combining these two at effective concentrations is the core of oxidation care.

Sunscreen is fundamental for preventing oxidation, but it cannot eliminate ROS that has already formed. Combination with antioxidant ingredients is necessary.