The skin's antioxidant systems.

The skin is supplied with an antioxidant system that includes enzymatic and nonenzymatic components. This complex system is the skin's first-line defense against free-radical attacks. Antioxidants are essential in protecting the epidermis from damage by free radicals generated both by environmental and endogenous factors. This role of free radicals in etiology of disease and how antioxidants are used to offset or prevent oxidative damage are discussed.