Antioxidants
Ingredients that neutralise free radicals from UV and pollution, to help keep skin looking radiant; best worn every morning under SPF.
antioxidant, free-radical scavengers, free radicals, oxidative stress
Ageing skin · Dull skin · All skin types
What it does
Antioxidants neutralise free radicals, the unstable molecules created by UV, pollution and stress that break down collagen, dull the complexion and prompt pigmentation. Applied daily, they help defend the skin against this oxidative stress and support a brighter, more even and resilient complexion over time. No single antioxidant covers everything, so the best formulas combine several: vitamin C, vitamin E and ferulic acid work especially well together, while niacinamide, green tea, resveratrol and astaxanthin each play a part.
How it works
Free radicals are molecules missing an electron, and they take one from whatever they meet, including the lipids, proteins and collagen in skin, setting off a chain of damage. Antioxidants donate an electron to stop that chain, and some, such as vitamins C and E, can regenerate one another, which is why combinations tend to be more effective and more stable. Because most of this damage happens during the day, antioxidants are most useful in the morning, beneath sunscreen.
MG says
Apply an antioxidant serum every morning after cleansing and before SPF; it adds a second line of defence but never replaces sunscreen. In the studio, antioxidant infusions are part of The Power Facial and our Organic facials, giving skin respite from oxidative stress and pollution. At home, I love Auteur's Definitive Lifting Toner mid-flight or after a mask, to layer the skin with hydration and antioxidant protection.
Cautions
Antioxidants support sunscreen but never replace it. Some, particularly pure vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) at higher strengths, can sting sensitive skin, so introduce them gradually and patch test. Store antioxidant serums away from light and air, as many lose potency once opened.
