The problem with antioxidant serums?
They barely contain any antioxidants. Seriously, most brands pick one random antioxidant, add a couple of drops to the formula and tell you it’s better than Botox. As if…
Skin Actives Antioxidant Facial Serum is one of the few exceptions to the rule. This baby is packed to the brim with all kinds of antioxidants you can think of – and it’s super affordable too!
What’s In Skin Actives Antioxidant Facial Serum?
ANTIOXIDANTS TO PREVENT PREMATURE AGING
Skin Actives Antioxidant Facial Serum is loaded with antioxidants. Here are the highlights:
- Glutathione: A tripeptide comprised of three amino acids (cysteine, glutamic acid, and glycine), it helps defend skin against environmental damage and the premature aging it causes. It also helps brighten skin.
- Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate: A stable form of Vitamin C, it helps fight free radicals, boosts collagen production, brighten skin, and even hydrate it.
- Superoxide Dismutase: An enzyme naturally produced by the body to reduce the harmful effects of DNA damage (including wrinkles). A 2001 study has also found that it can help heal wounds caused from burns in rats.
Related: Is Superoxide Dismutase The Most Powerful Antioxidant Of All?
NIACINAMIDE FOR… EVERYTHING
Niacinamide is a form of Vitamin B3 that does everything:
- Hydrating: It reduces transpidermal water loss (it’s even more effective than petroleum jelly)
- Acne treatment: While it can’t single-handedly get rid of acne, it helps to heal it faster
- Brightening: It reduces sallowness and hyperpigmentation
- Soothing: It calms down rosacea and irritations
- Anti-aging: It help reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
Impressive, isn’t it?
Related: The Complete Guide To Niacinamide: What It Is, What It Does, And How To Use It
LACTOBACILLUS/KELP FERMENT FILTRATE
After water, Lactobacillus/Kelp Ferment Filtrate is the main ingredient of this serum. What does it do? It forms a protective film on the skin that helps to keep it moisturized.
Cos your skin needs all the moisture it can get. More moisture = brighter, smoother, softer skin.
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Texture
Lightweight and fast-absorbing.
Fragrance
Strong. Unpleasant. (Nothing’s perfect).
How To Use It
Morning and night, after cleansing (and exfoliation).
Performance & Personal Opinion
Skin Actives Antioxidant Facial Serum is one of my fave antioxidant serums – and not just because it’s so affordable.
Antioxidant serums are tricky to review. Antioxidants prevent damage. They don’t treat it. You know what that means?
Too often, they look like they don’t do much of anything in the moment. But 20 years later, you realise you have fewer wrinkles than your friends who didn’t bother to use one. Got it?
This serum is a little different because it hydrates and brightens your skin straight away. So, you’ll definitely see an improvement. But don’t expect any serious reduction in wrinkles. You need to invest in the long haul for that.
Who Is This For?
Everyone can use it.
Who Is This NOT For?
I recommend it to everyone, unless you’re allergic to one of the ingredients (obvs!).
Packaging
Skin Actives Antioxidant Facial Serum comes in a white and green bottle. It’s a bit flimsy, but hygienic and keeps the antioxidant stable and effective for long.
Did Skin Actives Antioxidant Facial Serum Live Up To Its Claims?
| CLAIM | TRUE? |
|---|---|
| Using a custom combination of antioxidants, Antioxidant Serum helps fight free radicals formed by exposure to the sun, pollution, and heat better than Vitamin C Serum alone. | True. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant, but it’s just one. The more antioxidants you use, the better. |
| It is oil free and works on all skin types. | True. |
| Moisturizes and soothes. | True. |
Price & Availability
$23.99/£20.69 at Skin Actives
Do You Need It?
Yes. If you want to prevent premature aging, this is one of the best serums out there.
Dupes & Alternatives
- Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum ($80.00)
- Paula’s Choice Resist Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum ($38.00)
Ingredients
Water, Sea Kelp (Lactobacillus/Kelp Ferment Filtrate) Bioferment, Sodium PCA, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate (Vitamin C), Sodium Hyaluronate (Hyaluronic Acid), Ferulic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Epigallocatechin Gallate, Niacinamide, Carnosine, Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone, Carnitine, Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane (and) Tetrahydrodemethoxydiferuloylmethane (and) Tetrahydrobisdemethoxydiferuloylmethane, Sorghum Bicolor Leaf/Stem Extract, Lycopene, Astaxanthin, Fucoxanthin, Porphyridium Polysaccharide, Glutathione, sh-Polypeptide-2, sh-Polypeptide-77 (Glutaredoxin (GRX)), Superoxide Dismutase, Citric Acid, Propylene Glycol (and) Diazolidinyl Urea (and) Methylparaben (and) Propylparaben.
Seems like this could work for acne. Both niacinamide and vitamin C (as sodium ascorbyl phosphate) have been tested against benzoyl peroxide and topical antioxidants and found to be either more or equally effective. Green tea has been shown to work better than placebo. Also, L-carnatine and green tea have been shown to reduce sebum production. So overall, this looks like a very promising product for acne.
Seppo, it would be wonderful if it did. It certainly contains ingredients that could help, thank you for pointing that out. 🙂 Don’t you just love products that can multitask?
Yep. I actually recommend my readers to use something like this over benzoyl peroxide and other traditional acne treatments. Or at the very least to make sure their skincare regimen includes some antioxidants.
Seppo, that’s smart advice! Antioxidants can make a great difference in how our skin ages and behaves. 🙂
Indeed. The way I think about is the difference between treating the health of the skin vs. nuking acne away with benzoyl peroxide and tretinoids. Of course those drugs have their uses and can be used on top of antioxidants.
I agree. Getting rid of acne is all good, but you need to take care of your skin while doing so or, once you’ve fixed a problem, you’ll have to deal with another one.
Would you use this in addition to their C serum? Or in place of it?
Karen, it really depends on what your issues and goals are. If you need Vitamin C to fade hyperpigmentation, a serum with LAA is better and this can supplement it. If you’re younger and just need prevention, this can substitute Vitamin C.