When most people think about caring for their skin, they generally think of things to do on the outside. They buy cleansers, lotions, oils and emollients to put on their skin. What most people don't realize is that much of the skin damage that concerns them really occurs from the inside out. Free radicals cause widespread damage throughout the body. Their effects on the skin are particularly visible. All the cells of the skin are sealed in protective membranes containing lipids (fats) that protect the inner cell and allow for proper formation of elastin and collagen, the tissues that give skin its softness, flexibility and resiliency. Free radicals, especially lipid peroxides, damage this protective cell membrane and destroy the skin's elastin and collagen resulting in sagging, wrinkling and age spots. Overproduction of free radicals occurs when the body is subjected to stress from sources such as environmental pollutants, processed food, radiation. trauma, disease and the pressures of life in the modern world. These factors soon translate to damage skin and premature aging.