Find Your Perfect Antioxidant Serum: A Practical SkinCeuticals Guide
Find Your Perfect Antioxidant Serum: A Practical SkinCeuticals Guide
Antioxidants are your everyday defense against the look of dullness, discoloration, and fine lines. Use them daily—especially in the morning—and you’ll notice a brighter, more even-looking complexion over time. This quick guide helps you match a SkinCeuticals® antioxidant serum to your skin type and top concern.
Quick chooser: start here
- Normal–dry, fine lines or sun damage → C E Ferulic
- Normal–oily, uneven tone or dark spots → Phloretin CF
- Oily or blemish-prone, shine & texture → Silymarin CF
- Reactive/sensitive or new to vitamin C → Serum 10 AOX+
- Nighttime strengthening & radiance → Resveratrol B E
Why antioxidants matter (in plain English)
Daily exposure to UV, pollution, and stress forms unstable molecules on the skin’s surface. Antioxidants help neutralize those effects and support a smoother, brighter, firmer-looking complexion—especially when paired with sunscreen.
The serums, decoded
C E Ferulic — for normal to dry skin
What it does: Targets the look of fine lines, dullness, and loss of firmness; delivers a healthy-looking glow.
Texture: Lightweight, absorbs fast; perfect under moisturizer and SPF.
How to use: 4–5 drops on clean, dry skin each morning. Follow with moisturizer, then sunscreen.
Pro tip: Great companion to nighttime retinol if your skin tolerates it.
Phloretin CF — for normal to oily skin, discoloration
What it does: Visibly improves uneven tone and sun spots while defending against daily environmental stressors.
Texture: Weightless and fresh; layers well under makeup.
How to use: 4–5 drops in the morning; don’t forget SPF.
Pro tip: Pair with a brightening sunscreen and consistent SPF reapplication for best results.
Silymarin CF — for oily or blemish-prone skin
What it does: Helps reduce the look of oil oxidation (a contributor to breakouts), refines texture, and boosts clarity.
Texture: Ultra-light, non-greasy.
How to use: 4–5 drops AM after cleansing.
Pro tip: Works well alongside a gentle BHA cleanser or targeted spot treatment.
Serum 10 AOX+ — for sensitive or first-time vitamin C users
What it does: Daily antioxidant protection with a gentler concentration for reactive skin. Helps brighten the look of skin with minimal fuss.
Texture: Sheer and fast-absorbing.
How to use: Start 3–4 mornings per week, then build to daily as tolerated.
Pro tip: Always apply to dry skin before any acids or exfoliants.
Resveratrol B E — your nighttime antioxidant
What it does: Reinforces skin’s natural nighttime defense for a rested, more radiant look by morning.
Texture: Silky gel-serum for PM use.
How to use: Apply after cleansing at night; follow with your moisturizer.
Pro tip: On retinol nights, apply retinol first, let it absorb, then layer Resveratrol B E.
Morning vs. night: simple layering that works
- AM: Cleanse → Antioxidant serum → Moisturizer → Broad-spectrum SPF
- PM: Cleanse → Targeted treatment (e.g., retinol on alternate nights) → Night antioxidant (optional) → Moisturizer
