Google SOD, and you’ll likely come across a few landscapers in your area and some high-quality grass patch photos. You might discover that it’s also a British swear word, meaning annoying or not worth caring about—like, s*d these search results! But for the skincare-obsessed, SOD means something much more exciting than lawn grass: a youthful complexion. Short for superoxide dismutase, SOD is the first line of defense against free radical damage, meaning it protects your skin against visible signs of aging. Superoxide dismutase is in the Firming Serum, and we’ve been huge fans of this wonder ingredient for a long time. Let’s start from the top...
What exactly is superoxide dismutase?
Superoxide dismutase is the most powerful antioxidant enzyme in the body. It’s crucial to cellular health because it’s the first roadblock that free radicals—unstable atoms that cause premature aging—encounter when they attempt to stir up trouble. If free radicals are the burglars crawling through your window, think of superoxide dismutase as your home alarm system. At the first hint of free radicals, the superoxide dismutase alarm sounds and sends the police, or, in this case, free radical-destroying antioxidants like Vitamin C and Glutathione.
While the police are on their way, superoxide dismutase is hard at work scaring off free radicals by breaking them down into less destructive molecules (hydrogen peroxide and oxygen). This sets the stage for other enzymatic antioxidants to finish the elimination process. And if it weren’t for this alarm, the other antioxidants in your body wouldn’t come to the rescue nearly as fast. In fact, the entire process of eliminating free radicals would be 10,000x slower, leaving a lot more time for cellular damage.
Why should I add superoxide dismutase into my skincare routine?
Superoxide dismutase production significantly declines with age[1], and to top it off, getting older means that free radical formation is at an all-time high. What we’re trying to say here is, we all need a little extra protection—free radicals are always on the loose. Incorporating superoxide dismutase into your skincare routine won’t stop burglars from trying to break in, but it will stop them from taking away smooth, healthy skin.
By protecting your skin from free radical damage, superoxide dismutase prevents visible signs of aging. Even better, it helps repair signs of aging. It does this by promoting a youthful complexion[2], encouraging resilient skin. It also fights hyperpigmentation[3] from sun damage, age spots, and acne marks, for an even-toned complexion. It’s anti-inflammatory, too, so it's very helpful for de-puffing under the eyes.
How does superoxide dismutase work in the Firming Serum?
Superoxide dismutase is clearly incredible on its own, but its effects are amplified in the Firming Serum, thanks to levomenol, an active component in German chamomile that enhances the absorption of other ingredients. You’ll also get maximum benefits from major antioxidants like Vitamin C and Glutathione (because the superoxide dismutase alarm sounded, and they’re on their way!). Both of these ingredients add extra protection against free radicals and work equally as hard to fight hyperpigmentation. Effects of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), primary components of skin tissue that can hold 1000x their weight in water, are also heightened. They’ll work synergistically with superoxide dismutase to revitalize the skin, while bilberry extract will assist in calming inflammation and improving blood circulation to combat puffy eyes and dark circles. You’ll notice brighter, bouncier, younger-looking skin over time.