Amino Acids: The building blocks of protein. A group of biological chemical compounds containing nitrogen; form proteins.

Anti-oxidant: A substance which inhibits or prevents damage from free radicals.

Carcinogen: Any substance capable of or contributing to causing cancer.

Collagen: Present in the dermis, gives the skin shape and structure, keeping skin smooth and wrinkle-free when we are young, allowing wrinkles to form as the quality of collagen lessens with age. Structurally, a protein made of amino acids: alanine, orginine, glycine, hydroxyproline, lysine proline. Present in the skin, bone, ligaments and cartilage, makes up about 30% of total body protein.

Elastin: Highly elastic albumin-like protein fiber found in the dermis, blood vessels, capillaries and other elastic tissue in the body. Allows skin to stretch then return to normal when we are young; contributes to sagging skin as the quality of elastin is reduced with age.

Enzymes: Proteins that effect the speed at which chemical changes occur, usually speeding up an action. Thousands of different enzymes are produced in the body. The skin is the body's largest enzyme-producing organ.

Fatty Acid: A fat soluble acid, found in the epidermis and in cosmetic products. Includes oleic, stearic, palmitic and linoleic acids.

Free Radical: One or more unpaired electrons capable of independent existence. The skin stabilizers itself by stealing an electron form the atoms forming lipids, collagen, elastin, enzymes, hormones, hormone receptors, keratin, cell membranes, and other proteins, fats and amino acid substances. Free radicals, whose attacks last less than a millisecond, are believed by many researchers to be the bottom line of aging. Types of free radicals include hydroxyl and superoxide radicals.

Hormones: The body's chemical messengers; they stimulate or inhibit activities in the body, especially those involving growth, development, reproduction and other life processes. The skin is the largest hormone-producing organ of the body.

Protein: Composed of amino acids, proteins form most of a cell's structure and cell products, which include keratin, collagen, elastin, melanin, enzymes, hormones and antibodies.