17 Antioxidant Serums to Add to Your Cart in 2023
January 11, 2023
You’re likely used to seeing the word “antioxidant” plastered all over the skincare aisle, but you might be unsure of what exactly they do or which products that contain them to reach for. While antioxidants like vitamins A, B, C and E can be found in all types of products, we love to incorporate them into our routine in the form of concentrated serums. Ahead, learn more about what antioxidants are and then shop our editors’ favorite antioxidant serums.
What Are Antioxidant Serums?
Antioxidants serums help your skin fight free radicals that are formed by environmental aggressors such as UV light, cigarette smoke and pollution. These free radicals can cause damage to the skin’s surface, which may result in noticeable wrinkles, fine lines and dull skin.
What Does Antioxidant Serum Do?
When applied topically over time, antioxidants can help protect the skin’s surface from the aggressors while improving the visible signs of existing damage (read: minimizing the appearance of lines and revitalizing a dull complexion).
The Best 17 Antioxidant Serums
SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF
This serum contains a potent blend of antioxidants including vitamin C, silymarin (or milk thistle extract) and ferulic acid, along with acne-fighting salicylic acid. Together, these ingredients help protect skin from environmental aggressors and prevent breakouts and visible signs of aging.
Kiehl’s Ferulic Brew Antioxidant Facial Treatment with Lactic Acid
With ferulic acid, hydrating squalane and exfoliating lactic acid, the facial treatment works to smooth out fine lines and other signs of aging while supporting the skin’s natural recovery process and promoting a glowing, nourished complexion.
La Roche-Posay 10% Pure Vitamin C Serum
This serum contains 10% vitamin C as well as salicylic acid and neurosensine. The rich formula helps boost radiance, target visible wrinkles on the face and neck and refine skin texture and tone.
L'Oréal Paris Age Perfect Cell Renewal Midnight Serum
Renew dull, discolored skin overnight with serum that contains antioxidants derived from bitter orange. The formula also contains vitamin E and hyaluronic acid , to reinforce the skin’s barrier overnight when it’s most receptive to repair.
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum
Retinol, a derivative of antioxidant vitamin A, is the star of this CeraVe serum. Not only does this serum target discoloration and stimulate surface cell turnover, but it helps to strengthen the skin’s natural barrier, too.
Lancôme Absolue Overnight Repairing Bi-Ampoule Serum
This rich bi-phase ampoule is part oil, part essence and helps accelerate skin barrier repair. It combats signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles with an ultra-moisturizing combination of antioxidant vitamin E, sunflower seed oil, rose oil, hyaluronic acid and a tri-ceramide complex.
Youth to the People Superberry Hydrated + Glow Dream Oil
For an antioxidant-rich oil that will keep your skin glowy, soft and moisturized, opt for this pick. It contains a combination of maqui, acai, goji and prickly pear extracts that leaves your skin looking bright and nourished.
L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Vitamin C + E Salicylic Acid Serum
If you struggle with acne marks and breakout-prone skin, this serum is a must-try. It has antioxidants vitamin C and E to help combat the appearance of dullness and dark spots, plus salicylic acid to gently exfoliate and keep your skin looking clear.
IT Cosmetics Confidence in Your Beauty Sleep Triple Antioxidant Brightening Serum
Achieve a radiant, glowing complexion with this antioxidant serum that has 12% vitamin C. It also contains 1.5% ferulic acid and 0.5% polydatin to help address uneven skin texture and tone, revealing a brighter, smoother-looking complexion.
Vichy Liftactiv Vitamin C Serum
In need of a skin boost? This 15% pure vitamin C serum and brightening skin corrector will do just the trick. It helps combat free radicals, UV and pollution to help you achieve your most even-toned complexion yet.
Summer Fridays CC Me Vitamin C Serum
Help address the look of discoloration with this vitamin C serum that contains two types of the ingredient plus niacinamide to help soothe and restore a more youthful, glowing look.
Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Treatment Serum
This potent option combines five forms of vitamin C, plus antioxidant-rich guava, tranexamic and ferulic acids to help correct uneven skin tone and texture. Our favorite part is that it’s extremely lightweight and absorbs into the skin quickly.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum
For a skin-boosting option that can address dark circles, uneven skin tone and dullness, give this serum a try. It contains vitamin C to help protect the skin, plus a phytosterol complexion to correct redness and saccharide isomerate extract to help support the skin barrier.
INNBEAUTY Project Green Machine Vitamin C + Superfoods Jelly Serum
Oil and serum come together in this jelly-like product that addresses fine lines, discoloration and dullness. It has plant stem cells and vitamin C to help revitalize the skin and ensure a clearer, more vibrant complexion.
Biossance Squalane + Retinol Night Serum
Kick dullness to the curb with this night serum option that contains retinol (vitamin A), plus squalane, saffron, rosemary, sunflower, rice bran extracts and vitamin E. It helps repair the skin overnight and encourages a softer, more radiant skin finish by morning.
Mario Badescu Vitamin C Serum
This antioxidant option has vitamin C, collagen and sodium hyaluronate to keep the skin looking fresh, luminous and moisturized. It’s also extremely lightweight in consistency and can easily pair with any skincare routine, in the morning or night.
The INKEY List Co-Q10 Antioxidant Serum
Co-Q10 is another form of antioxidant that works to protect the skin from environmental addressers. This serum does that and more with squalane plus peptides, for a resilient-looking and glowy finish.
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