The SkinCeuticals experts are here to help you choose the perfect antioxidant serum for addressing your unique skin concerns.

Ask any dermatologist about their top skin care recommendations for healthy skin, and an antioxidant-rich vitamin C serum is almost guaranteed to be one of their product picks.

A valuable step in any morning regimen, a topical vitamin C antioxidant serum helps shield the skin from environmental damage, especially when used in conjunction with sunscreen, and this one multitasking product can help improve a variety of skin concerns as well. Yet, the ideal formulation can depend on your skin type, and it’s important to understand what an antioxidant is and how vitamin C works.

What is an antioxidant?

Antioxidants neutralize free radicals, which are unstable molecules generated by UV rays, pollution and several lifestyle factors. Free radicals cause damage to cells within the skin (as well as the entire body).

Without antioxidant protection, free radical damage can contribute to visible signs of aging like fine lines, wrinkles, discoloration, loss of skin firmness and even skin cancer. You’ll usually find different combinations of antioxidants in skin care products since these compounds work together to enhance their own performance.

A Closer Look at Vitamin C

Vitamin C can go by several names when used in skin care products, but the purest, most widely studied and most effective is L-ascorbic acid. SkinCeuticals only uses L-ascorbic acid in its vitamin C serum offerings, as research has shown it provides the greatest level of protection against free-radical damage caused by environmental aggressors like UV rays, infrared radiation (IRA), pollution and lifestyle factors.

It also delivers other benefits such as boosting the skin’s natural production of collagen as well as improving the appearance of signs of aging such as wrinkles, skin laxity and skin discoloration. All SkinCeuticals topical vitamin C serums may feature L-ascorbic acid, but each formula is tailored for specific skin concerns with the addition of other antioxidants.

The Right Antioxidant for Your Skin Condition

Antioxidant Serum for Blemish-Prone Oily Skin

SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF Vitamin C Serum

After more than six years of development, SkinCeuticals is proud to introduce Silymarin CF, a first-of-its-kind, daily-use antioxidant serum formulated for oily and blemish-prone skin.

Board-certified dermatologist and LovelySkin CEO Dr. Joel Schlessinger says, "I am so very excited about Silymarin CF, as there are many people who are still dealing with adult acne while wrinkles are happening. For these individuals, there have been limited options available that didn't exacerbate their acne, so this is a life-preserver for them!"

Its powerful combination of antioxidants includes 0.5% silymarin (an extract derived from the milk thistle plant), 15% L-ascorbic acid and 0.5% ferulic acid to provide superior environmental protection against the free radicals that contribute to the oil oxidation that leads to breakouts as well as signs of premature aging.

This innovative addition to any blemish-fighting routine also features 0.5% salicylic acid to help reduce blemish severity and prevent new breakouts from forming. Silymarin CF is clinically demonstrated to reduce oiliness by up to 16% in one week and improve the appearance of radiance, clarity, fine lines, wrinkles and texture.

Antioxidant Serum for Dryness, Wrinkles and Other Aging Concerns

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Antioxidant Vitamin C Anti-Aging Serum

Recommended for normal to dry skin, this daily vitamin C antioxidant serum gets your morning skin care regimen off to a great start.

Featuring L-ascorbic acid, ferulic acid and tocopherol (vitamin E), this serum provides superior environmental protection as it offers visible anti-aging benefits. This makes it ideal for improving the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, loss of firmness, dullness and uneven skin tone.

Antioxidant Serum for Discoloration

SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF Antioxidant Vitamin C Discoloration Gel

For those concerned about skin discoloration, this vitamin C antioxidant gel is formulated with L-ascorbic acid and ferulic acid, much like the C E Ferulic Antioxidant Serum, with the addition of an antioxidant called phloretin that makes it unique. This antioxidant is naturally found in apples, pears and other plants.

It neutralizes free radicals generated by UV rays, infrared radiation (IRA) and ozone pollution. What’s more, phloretin has been shown to enhance the action of other antioxidants, improve the appearance of uneven skin tone and help minimize the look of sun damage.

Just remember, everyone’s skin fluctuates in terms of moisture and oil levels, especially at different times of year, when traveling to different climates and while experiencing hormonal fluctuations. In these cases, you may want to change up your SkinCeuticals antioxidant as needed!

Interested in learning more about the latest SkinCeuticals antioxidant serum? Read more about Silymarin CF, the SkinCeuticals antioxidant for oily and blemish-prone skin on the LovelySkin blog!