Low molecular weight antioxidants and their role in skin ageing

There is increasing evidence that reactive oxygen species play a pivotal ro le in the process of ageing. The skin, as the outermost barrier of the body , is exposed to various exogenous sources of oxidative stress, in particula r UV-irradiation. These are believed to be responsible for the extrinsic ty pe of skin ageing, termed photo-ageing. It therefore seems reasonable to tr y to increase levels of protective low molecular weight antioxidants throug h a diet rich in fruits and vegetables or by direct topical application. In deed, various in vitro and animal studies have proved that low molecular we ight antioxidants, especially vitamins C and E, ascorbate and tocopherol, a s well as lipoic acid, exert protective effects against oxidative stress. H owever, controlled long-term studies on the efficacy of low molecular weigh t antioxidants in the prevention or treatment of skin ageing in humans are still lacking.