What is an Antioxidant and Do I Really Want to Put it on My Face!?!?
- tltimpeauthor
- Jun 25
- 10 min read
Updated: Jul 8
Excellent question, that!
Antioxidants are a must-have for fighting fine lines, wrinkles, and signs of aging, so those of us over 30 (yes, I said 30 - nothing wrong with proactively starting early) need to incorporate these power-houses into our routines! Antioxidants help neutralize free radicals, which are those unstable molecules that damage collagen, elastin, and skin cells (aka what causes premature aging, dullness, and wrinkles, all of which suck). So in other words, YES, you do want to put it on your face!
Here are the top antioxidants used in skincare, how they work, and what to look for:
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) is one of my favorite go-to’s, especially when I just need a little skin picker-upper/refresher. Vitamin C brightens skin, fades dark spots, stimulates collagen, and protects from UV and pollution damage, not to mention that it feels really good and gives your skin a boost.
Vitamin C is often combined with Vitamin E + Ferulic Acid to stabilize and boost effectiveness, but a word of caution: It can be irritating in high percentages, so start with 10–15% and work your way up as your skin tolerates.
Lovely example products:
· Description: THE gold standard in skincare, Obagi is a proven company that has been around for over 30 years and just keeps getting better with age (not like our skin, darnitall). This is a powerhouse of a C serum containing 20% L-ascorbic acid. Because of this concentration, I don’t recommend it for dry or papery skin. If your skin is normal to oily, then this is for you, but start slow and low – maybe only a couple of times per week to see how your
skin tolerates this high concentration.
· Benefits: This serum fortifies the skin defenses in advance against environmental assaults and encourages skin to rebound from previous damage. It also helps minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
· Suggested Use: Apply 5-7 drops in the morning after cleansing and toning, then apply a good moisturizer. Since this is one of the strongest C concentrate serums on the market, you are going to want to moisturize after using.
· Description: This vitamin C serum contains a blend of 20% vitamin C and E alongside Ferulic Acid, formulated to aid in achieving an even tone and texture. This serum is appropriate for all skin types, from oily to dry. It is fragrance-free, which I LOVE in a skin care product.
· Benefits: This skin care serum is infused with a megadose of vitamin C to support bright skin and aid healthy skin cell turnover and active defense against environmental pollutants.
· Suggested Use: Use this vitamin C serum daily for the best skin support. Apply
2-3 pumps onto freshly cleansed skin on the
face, neck and don’t forget your décolleté!
· Description: Face serum with Pure Vitamin C + Salicylic Acid & Neurosensine. The rich serum texture leaves skin feeling softer and more hydrated, and the skin looks more radiant and visibly refined. Allergy tested formula but with fragrance, so if you are a fragrance-free girly this might not be for you.
· Benefits: Pure Vitamin C Anti-Wrinkle Serum visibly boosts skin’s radiance while reducing the look of wrinkles.
Suggested use: Apply 3-4 drops every morning to the face and neck. Use alone or under your moisturizer. Avoid contact with your eyes, because it will sting mightily if you make the mistake of getting it in your waterline. I have found that daubing just a little under my eyes mid-day works as a nice refresher and glosses up those cakey makeup under-eyes that seem to happen daily no matter what (am I right?).
Next we have Vitamin E! Vitamin E (tocopherol), is a fat-soluble, moisturizing antioxidant. Vitamin E protects cell membranes and enhances the power of other antioxidants, neutralizing free radicals (antioxidant action helps reduce cellular damage). Vitamin E also moisturizes dry skin by preventing transepidermal water loss, and may reduce inflammation and help skin to feel calmer. It is often used with Vitamin C to stabilize it and to increase UV protection. Vitamin E is commonly found in moisturizers and oils, and I am sure you have seen Vitamin E on many ingredient lists when shopping for your favorite cosmetics or creams.
My favorite serums utilizing Vitamin E:
Natural formular, and Jason is known for clean ingredient lists.
A great product already mentioned in the previous section, but worth showing again.
A very affordable serum at around $10 for 50 ml (1.69 FL).
Vitamin E is praised for its antioxidant protection, barrier support, and moisture benefits. Please do a patch test first—some people react to pure Vitamin E or rich creams, so put a little daub on the back of your hand and see what your skin does. Contrary to popular belief, experts note it’s not a confirmed scar-fader; its main powers lie in hydration and soothing (aaahhhh).
Use Vitamin E in your evening routine after cleansing, first in creams or serums and before heavier moisturizers. If you are using a VE + Vitamin C serum in the morning, always follow with broad-spectrum SPF.
Ferulic Acid is a plant-based antioxidant that stabilizes vitamins C and E and enhances their effectiveness, which is why it is found in many of your Vitamin C serums. This acid helps reduce photodamage, inflammation, brown spots, fine lines — especially in AM routines paired with SPF.
It is particularly helpful in fighting sun-induced aging (yay!), and deserves a spot in your routine. Most serums sit in the 0.5–3% ferulic acid range, safe for daily use on most skin types.
My pro tips for use are to apply 2–5 drops in the morning, after cleansing but before moisturizer and SPF. Store in a cool, dark place to prevent oxidation!
My favorite serums utilizing Vitamin E:
· Description: A sophisticated serum, high-performance vitamin C and ferulic acid concoction with the potency of 20% tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate to help restore, firm and brighten the skin.
· Benefits: Hyaluronic acid complex locks in hydration to the skin, helping to restore firmness, smoothness and elasticity
· Suggested use: Shake well before use. Apply half a pump to a full pump to cleansed skin every morning.
· Description: This serum is a powerful antioxidant serum that targets visible signs of aging and environmental stressors, brightening and smoothing skin. It has a water-free formulation for enhanced stability.
· Benefits: Helps protect skin from visible aging and environmental pollutants.
· Suggested use: Apply a few drops to the face in the morning and evening, or mix with other products to enhance their antioxidant capacity.
Mad Hippie Serum with all sorts of lovely skincare ingredients.
· Description: This serum is a cult favorite and best seller with high ratings. Harnessing the power of nature, this serum is Non-GMO, cruelty-free, and vegan.
· Benefits: Improves skin texture while reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, discoloration, and dark spots caused by scarring.
· Suggested use: Apply to the face in the morning and evening, follow with SPF for morning use, moisturizer for evening use.
Green Tea – WHAT?!? Yes! Green tea calms inflammation, reduces redness, neutralizes UV damage, and supports anti-aging, fighting free radicals with a vengeance. Who knew?
It is also great for sensitive skin and rosacea-prone skin as it reduces redness, swelling, and irritation, and calms skin after sun exposure, exfoliation, or breakouts.
Green tea extract — often listed as Camellia sinensis leaf extract — is loaded with polyphenols, particularly EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), which is the star compound behind most of its benefits. EGCG has antibacterial and sebum-regulating properties, helps control oil production without drying out skin, and may reduce clogged pores and breakouts, especially hormonal or stress-related acne. (Too see helpful tips regarding breakouts and acne, click here.)
Green Tea has soothing and barrier strengthening properties, and improves hydration retention. It is especially helpful post-peel, post-sun, or during dry weather, and is often combined with ceramides or hyaluronic acid in calming formulas. It also has a gentle melanin-inhibiting effect — meaning it can help lighten dark spots over time, and can slow pigment production caused by UV exposure or inflammation.
My fav Green Tea formulations:
· Description: This skin-quenching serum is infused with proprietary Korean Green Tea, encapsulated hyaluronic acid, panthenol, + niacinamide that helps balance while strengthening the skin barrier for lasting hydration and glow.
· Benefits: Made with proprietary Green Tea and encapsulated hyaluronic acid (over 5x more absorbent than hyaluronic acid alone) and clinically proven to provide up to 72-hours of long-lasting hydration (based on a 1-week clinical study on 30 women ages 23 to 48).
· Suggested use: After cleansing/applying toner and before cream, smooth 2-3 pumps evenly onto entire face and neck. Gently pat in for better absorption. Use AM & PM.
· Description: A little goes a long way as this Burt’s Bees Serum is 98.5% natural in origin and lovingly formulated without parabens, phthalates, petrolatum or SLS to beautify your skin naturally.
· Benefits: Infused with Green Tea and Lotus Flower extracts, this facial antioxidant serum helps protect your skin from the damaging effects of blue light and environmental aggressors.
· Suggested use: Mix this in or use it solo - the potent formula of this antioxidant booster face serum lets you use this serum on its own or with your favorite face moisturizer during your skin care routine.
Resveratrol is a polyphenol antioxidant found in the skin of grapes, red wine, berries, and peanuts. In skincare, it's typically used in serums or creams, especially those targeting aging or stressed skin. It’s a powerful anti-aging antioxidant that supports collagen and elasticity, and works well in nighttime routines. Resveratrol is like a bodyguard for your face — fighting oxidative stress, calming irritation, and helping your skin age gracefully. It’s a fantastic ingredient to layer into routines focused on prevention, glow, or recovery.
Like Vitamin C and green tea, resveratrol neutralizes oxidative stress from UV, pollution, and internal inflammation, plus helps prevent premature aging (fine lines, dullness, sagging). This powerhouse also stimulates collagen production and helps preserve skin’s structural integrity, and encourages firmness and smoothness over time.
Resveratrol calms inflammation and brightens skin tone. It has anti-inflammatory properties that soothe redness, irritation, and stressed skin, and is helpful for sensitive or rosacea-prone skin types. It can reduce pigmentation and dullness when used over time, and adds a natural glow without causing irritation like some acids or retinoids.
Some bonus benefits are that it may improve skin's ability to repair overnight (especially when used just before bed), and it is often paired with ferulic acid or vitamin E in antioxidant cocktails. In oral supplements, it's studied for heart, brain, and metabolic health — but those benefits are still under review, so let’s not get ahead of ourselves 😊
The best serums that contain resveratrol:
· Description: An exclusive patented blend of resveratrol, hyaluronic acid, and vegan collagen results in an anti-aging daily moisturizer to deeply hydrate, visibly firm, lift, and reduce the look of wrinkles.
· Benefits: In a clinical study using 44 volunteers over 18 days, 98% saw firmer skin in less than 3 weeks. Pretty impressive, if you ask me.
· Suggested use: Apply every morning to face, neck, and décolleté after your serum.
Niacinamide (Vitamin B3). So technically, niacinamide is not just an antioxidant—it's a multi-tasker. This water-soluble form of Vitamin B3 protects from oxidative stress and improves a ton of visible skin concerns at the same time.
What niacinamide does: Reduces fine lines and wrinkles; minimizes the appearance of pores; improves uneven skin tone; balances oil production; fades dark spots and acne marks; boosts skin barrier function (less redness, irritation, and sensitivity); and if that wasn’t enough, it also enhances the performance of other ingredients like retinol, peptides, and hyaluronic acid! Whew – what an amazing thing!
My recommended Niacinamide products:
· Description: The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% +Zinc 1% is a universal serum for blemish-prone skin that smooths, brightens, and supports the skin barrier. Budget friendly at $6 for a fluid ounce.
· Benefits: Visibly improves skin radiance and smooths texture in one week.
· Suggested use: Apply a few drops to the face in the morning and evening.
· Description: This concentrated 10% niacinamide serum booster dramatically improves uneven skin tone and refines the appearance of pore size, skin texture and fine lines. Special ingredients include Antioxidants, Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin C, Vitamin B5, this is a silky, daily-use formula that brightens and soothes.
· Benefits: Visibly minimizes pore size, corrects uneven skin tone, and softens fine lines with this multi-use targeted serum.
· Suggested use: Apply several drops to face and neck. Use once or twice a day. For daytime, follow with SPF 30+.
Glutathione, Alpha-Lipoic Acid, and Other “Quiet Powerhouses”
These aren’t the first antioxidants people talk about — but they’re incredibly potent behind the scenes. Glutathione is often called the “master antioxidant” and helps regenerate other antioxidants, fade pigmentation, and improve luminosity. Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA) is both water- and fat-soluble, so it works deeply in the skin to reduce fine lines, puffiness, and texture issues. These are most often found in advanced serums and night creams, working alongside peptides and vitamins.
So how do you use antioxidants for anti-aging? It’s not just what you use — it’s how and when you use them.
· Morning: Most antioxidants (especially Vitamin C, niacinamide, green tea) shine brightest when applied in the a.m. under SPF. They give your sunscreen a booster shot of protection against UV rays and pollution.
· Evening: For skin-repairing powerhouses like resveratrol, glutathione, or CoQ10, nighttime is your golden hour. That’s when skin heals and regenerates.
Your layering order should be:
1. Cleanser
2. Toner (optional), for more about toners, click here
3. Antioxidant serum
4. Moisturizer
5. Sunscreen (AM only)
Pro tip: If you’re using actives like retinol or exfoliating acids, alternate them with antioxidants or layer carefully to avoid irritation.
Final Thoughts:
Antioxidants aren’t just a “nice-to-have.” They’re the MVPs of modern skincare — protecting, repairing, calming, and preventing all at once. The key is to find what works with your skin, layer wisely, and stay consistent.
There’s no single “best” antioxidant — and you don’t need to use them all at once, in fact, I discourage that. The key is to choose based on your skin’s needs, layer intelligently, and be consistent. Whether you’re battling fine lines, dullness, breakouts, or just want that glow-up, antioxidants have your back.
Ready to supercharge your routine? Start with one AM antioxidant serum and one PM repair serum, and build from there. Your skin (and your selfies) will thank you!
Comments