It’s the skin concern that often dominates the choices we make in the beauty aisle: fighting (and preventing) the signs of ageing.
And while we wish the only factor affecting our skin’s health and appearance were the years ticking by, there are other things that take their toll.
Environmental factors – like sun exposure, air pollution and a poor diet – can lead to the formation of fine lines, wrinkles, blemishes, and pigmentation.
So, we need products that can help repair our skin and slow the damage (or prevent them if they haven’t yet started showing).
Antioxidants: your skin’s new best friend
But before we meet our skincare superheroes, we need to know what we’re up against.
Free radicals are the ‘rogue’ and unstable molecules responsible for damaging our skin. While our body does produce them naturally, we are exposed to more as our skin ages, as well as through environmental and lifestyle factors, like smoking, pollution, and junk food.
Enter: antioxidants, which work to repair cells and neutralise the potential for further damage.
Our body has a natural source of antioxidants, but levels can become depleted as they work to fight free radicals – which is why incorporating an antioxidant serum into your skincare routine can keep our faces looking healthy and youthful.
The experts in antioxidant skincare
It’s no surprise SkinCeuticals has a cult following among celebrities and medical experts alike. Known as the leaders in skincare, they have over 30 years of research on the effects of antioxidants on skin.
They were also the first to stabilise the powerful antioxidant Vitamin C for use in skincare, which is proven to provide skin with effective protection from free radical damage and minimise the visible signs of ageing by refining skin texture and enhancing skin radiance.
Their serums utilise pure l-ascorbic acid (a potent form of Vitamin C) instead of derivatives for maximum efficacy.
Combined with other antioxidants, their formulas work to target specific skin concerns – with three hero products all offering powerful environmental protection and proven anti-ageing results.
The antioxidant to fight fine lines and wrinkles: ferulic acid
For normal or dry skin, ferulic acid is a plant-based antioxidant that neutralises free radicals and boosts the antioxidant benefits and stability of both Vitamin C and E.
When used in a high potency serum – like in SkinCeuticals’ award-winning C E Ferulic – the acid rejuvenates the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by up to 32 per cent[1].
The revolutionary formula also improves skin’s firmness, for skin that looks younger and fresher, while visibly brightening the complexion and enhancing skin radiance.
The antioxidant to banish blemishes: silymarin
You may think oily or acne-prone skin and serums aren’t a good pair, but there are antioxidants that specifically target oiliness.
SkinCeuticals’ Silymarin CF Antioxidant Serum contains silymarin, an antioxidant derivative of milk thistle, and actively works to prevent oil oxidation by up to 76 per cent[2].
It’s the antioxidant answer for oily and blemish-prone skin, specifically formulated to prevent clogged pores.
It also contains salicylic acid, which acts as a gentle chemical exfoliant to refine pores and prevent the formation of blemishes.
The antioxidant for reduced pigmentation: phloretin
Ideal for normal, combination or sensitive skin, SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF Vitamin C serum is formulated to reduce pigmentation.
Phloretin is an antioxidant sourced from apples and the root bark of fruit trees like apple, pear and grapefruit and helps improves cell turnover. It neutralises damaging free radicals, fading the appearance of discolouration to improve overall skin tone over time.
So how do we use it?
Any Vitamin C antioxidant serum should be applied as the first skincare step after cleansing and toning – after all, you want the powerful formulas and ingredients as close to your skin as possible.
Gently press four to five drops of serum into the skin, focusing on the face, neck, and chest. Allow the product to fully absorb into the skin before applying any other products – around 10 minutes is best.
Always complete your routine with a broad-spectrum sunscreen to minimise further free radical and UV damage.
Shop the SkinCeuticals Antioxidant Range
Sponsored by SkinCeuticals.
[1] A 52-week clinical study conducted on 50 female subjects, aged 40-60 of all skin types. (USA, 2011)
[2] Statistically significant change from baseline (p
