Time. Genetics. Environment. These are all factors in life that cause aging, a very natural process that everyone goes through. However, it can feel very unnatural to see the effects of aging on your skin. That's why researchers all around the world are discovering the power of antioxidants to help maintain a more youthful appearance.

To truly understand how antioxidants can help prevent the signs of premature aging, it's important to first understand exactly what free radicals are, the damaging effects they can have on your skin, then how antioxidants have been proven to help.

Why Fight Free Radicals?
Sun, stress and pollutants are just a few of the factors that create molecules called free radicals, which can damage your DNA and cause premature signs of aging. Free radicals are highly unstable molecules, because they lack one electron. In order to stabilize themselves, free radicals can attack another substance within their reach in order to grab an electron from them, generating a cascade of reactions that can damage essential skin lipids and cell membranes.

Luckily, our bodies have a "built-in" free radical fighting system: the antioxidant line of defense. Antioxidants have a spare electron that they can give away without turning into free radicals. Antioxidants are both found in the body as well as in dark green, leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale, and may also be acquired through supplements such as vitamins C, E and carotenoids. Dermatologists also recommend the topical application of antioxidants to boost your skin's defenses against the damaging effects of free radicals that can lead to premature signs of aging.

Shield Your Skin Everyday With Antioxidants
Antioxidants not only help reduce the impact of free radicals on your skin, they can also help protect your skin from some of the harmful effects of sun exposure. When exposed to sunlight, your skin's protective antioxidants are depleted, leaving it more susceptible to the type of damage that can cause wrinkles, fine lines and premature aging. To counteract this effect, some dermatologists believe that products featuring lower-levels of multiple antioxidants are safer and more effective than products that deliver a high level of one specific antioxidant.

In fact, Dr. James J. Leyden, Professor Emeritus from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine conducted a 12-week study on the benefits of antioxidant skincare products (Neutrogena^®Anti-Oxidant Day Lotion SPF 20 and Neutrogena^®Anti-Oxidant Night Cream). The study focused on 84 women between the ages of 32-59 who had photo-damaged skin and found that six attributes of aging skin improved significantly over the course of the study:

- skin surface roughness
- lack of clarity/radiance
- uneven skin tone
- fine wrinkles
- coarse wrinkles
- overall aged appearance

The study results revealed that over 98 percent of these women experienced an improvement in skin surface roughness and overall aged appearance by using antioxidant skincare products, suggesting that antioxidants may not only play a role in preventative benefits, but also in improving existing signs of aging.**

As part of the age reverse skincare revolution, Neutrogena is introducing an entirely new line of antioxidant products that help boost your skin's defenses against damaging free radicals. Neutrogena^® Anti-Oxidant delivers three distinct treatments, each with a unique multiple-antioxidant blend featuring:

- Feverfew, an ultra-soothing antioxidant that helps to calm irritated skin.
- Gamma Tocopherol, one of the most potent forms of vitamin E available that is a natural component of skin's protective moisture barrier.
- Essential Soy^® Neutrogena's proprietary technology that is rich in proteins, isoflavones and natural moisturizers to help smooth out skin texture and brighten tone. Essential Soy has also been clinically proven to reduce the look of age spots and discoloration.
- Helioplex^® breakthrough UVA/UVB sunscreen technology that helps guard the skin against both superficial UVB sunburns and deeper-penetrating UVA sun damage, such as premature wrinkles and dark spots.

Neutrogena^® Anti-Oxidant Day Lotion SPF 20
This fast-absorbing lightweight lotion is formulated with Helioplex and an exclusive triple antioxidant blend that neutralizes 99% of free radicals* and helps to guard against DNA damage. Beginning after just one week of use, Neutrogena^® Anti-Oxidant Day Lotion SPF 20 has been clinically shown to help reverse the signs of aging such as fine lines, rough texture, and uneven skin tone.**

Neutrogena^® Anti-Oxidant Night Cream
To fight free radical damage at night, this feather-light nighttime treatment has been clinically shown to help visibly reverse the signs of premature aging by minimizing the look of dryness and roughness, fine lines and uneven skin tone.

Neutrogena^® Anti-Oxidant Eye Cream
A soothing eye cream designed to fight free radicals, this Eye Cream works to visibly reduce crow's feet, puffiness, dark circles and dryness.

To reveal a renewed you starting in just one week through the power of antioxidants, learn more about Neutrogena's Anti-Oxidant products today.