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These days, antioxidants are one of the biggest terms in skin care and with good reason. Fighting the oxidation process that produces free radicals, antioxidants benefit you both inside and out. And they’re absolutely critical for fighting visible signs of aging. Thankfully, these days, these hero ingredients have made their way into every step of our beauty routines. And as beauty editors who’ve tried it all, these are our favorite antioxidant skin-care products.
Why Antioxidants?
Antioxidant skin-care products are so popular because of their ability to fight skin-damaging free radicals.
“Free radicals are unstable molecules that search for electrons to stabilize themselves,” explains Washington, D.C. dermatologist Tina Alster, MD. “Beyond being a precursor to skin cancer and malignant melanoma (which can be fatal), free radicals are also a major cause of premature skin aging. When a mutated cell replicates, a copy of the mutation is created, which can worsen skin conditions like hyperpigmentation and melanoma.”
Antioxidants cut off this chain of oxidative stress. That gives your skin an extra boost of protection from things like pollutants and environmental damage. Stopping that process also helps prevent signs of free radical damage, like fine lines and discoloration.
The Antioxidant Skin-Care Products We Love
Below, you’ll find the antioxidant-powered skin-care products that have impressed us over the years. Each is a performance-driven powerhouse, from new vitamin C staples from CeraVe to award-winners like Alastin.
1 / 5
“I am a huge fan of the Alastin C-Radical Defense Antioxidant Serum. It’s a NewBeauty Award Winner and for good reason. It contains an encapsulated form of vitamin C called sodium ascorbate, which is more stable and absorbs better than L-ascorbic acid. The formula is lightweight, nongreasy and doesn’t irritate my skin. And if that weren’t enough, it also contains 14 other antioxidants for unparalleled protection against free radicals.” —Britt Burhop Fallon, beauty director
2 / 5
“This serum comes after 18 years of research and you can tell. It’s technically billed as an anti-aging serum, but my favorite benefit is tackling pesky dark spots (looking at you, post-acne marks). It employs the already beloved niacinamide with new patented ingredients from the brand’s research for full impact.” —Allie Hogan, senior beauty editor
3 / 5
“Formulated with pure vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and ceramides, CeraVe’s new Skin Renewing Vitamin C Eye Cream is a no-nonsense product that hydrates and brightens without fuss. The derm-favorite brand may be known for supporting the skin barrier, but faking the look of a good night’s sleep has to come in a close second on the claim’s list with this launch.” -Liz Ritter, executive editor
4 / 5
“Innisfree is one of my favorite K-beauty brands and anything from their Green Tea collection is a winner for me. The Green Tea Hyaluronic Acid Refillable Serum is a personal favorite—it gives my skin the hydration boost it needs with the added antioxidant benefits of green tea.” –Isabelle Buneo, executive assistant
5 / 5
“Don’t get me wrong—I’ve tried countless antioxidant-rich skin-care products in my near-decade as a beauty editor, but what I consider the OG—SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic with 15% L-Ascorbic Acid—still holds the title of my favorite. I remember it being hailed as the It vitamin C serum when I was just starting out (that, and everyone mentioning it smells like hot dogs, but delivers seriously transformative results with consistent use). Both turned out to be true and given its power-packed, patented formula (so no one else can copy it, FYI), it’s no surprise this serum has such a cult following.” – Marisa Petrarca, news editor
