Phase 2: Why your skin needs an antioxidant serum right now

Antioxidants soothe skin + boost repair

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When skin is inflamed – which happens when it is assaulted by UV rays or pollution particles – its ability to repair itself is reduced. By using an antioxidant-infused product, you are actually helping your skin heal.
An antioxidant is a molecule. It stops other molecules from oxidising, which happens when skin is exposed to UV, pollution and cigarette smoke.
With mandatory mask-wear, using antioxidants in your skincare routine is even more crucial. This is because prolonged mask wear can irritate skin, causing it to get red and flushed or even break out.

Plus, it also makes sensitive skin even more sensitive. Antioxidants not only help calm the skin but keep it balanced as well, controlling excess sebum production to keep skin clear and blemish-free.
Our bodies contain five types of antioxidants that stop free radical damage. But these decrease with age and need to be replenished  to help skin defend itself.

Antioxidants reduce signs of ageing + keep skin youthful

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Ever cut an apple in half but forgot about it, and when you returned, it had turned brown? That’s what oxidation does. And that's what happens to skin when it’s exposed to environmental aggressors like UV rays, pollution particles and even blue light.

These generate free radicals that bind to the electrons in skin, which in turn cause oxidation – like in the apple. It is this oxidation that causes premature ageing, like fine lines, pigmentation and even skin sagging.
Free radicals are unstable molecules that cause damage. In skin, it can lead to premature skin ageing, such as lines, wrinkles, skin sagging and even skin cancer.
When we load our skin with antioxidants, these then bind with the free radicals, preventing them from causing damage. The result: smoother, suppler and firmer skin.

 

Antioxidants brighten a dull complexion

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Free radicals don’t just cause fine lines and sagging. Add UV rays to the mix and this combo can trigger the overproduction of melanin, which results in pigmentation and dark spots.
Studies have shown that UV filters in sunscreens only offer up to 55 per cent protection from free radicals. That’s why you need to use an antioxidant serum.
Fortunately, antioxidants have been found to reduce photo-damage, which includes uneven skin tone and dark spots. Take vitamin C, for instance. It brightens a dull and uneven skin tone and reduces pigmentation. It also keeps the skin from going overboard when producing melanin, giving you radiant and even-looking skin.

 

Try: SkinCeuticals’ C E Ferulic Serum

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Power-packed with not just one, but three antioxidants, the SkinCeuticals’ iconic C E Ferulic Serum is just what your skin needs at this time. It’s a patented combination of antioxidants – two vitamins: C and E, and ferulic acid – that’s the result of decades of topical antioxidant research. The revolutionary formula gives skin twice the protection against environmental damage from the sun, pollution and smoke. And of course, better protection means skin stays youthful for longer.

The formula is optimised in a golden ratio: 15 per cent L-ascorbic acid – a vitamin C derivative that neutralises free radicals, soothes skin and promotes collagen production; one per cent alpha-tocopherol – pure vitamin E in its biologically active form that combats free radicals, hydrates and strengthens skin; and 0.5 per cent ferulic acid – a plant derivative that absorbs UV rays and boosts the potency of the other antioxidants in the formula.

Why choose SkinCeuticals' C E Ferulic Serum?

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What sets the SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum apart from other antioxidant-centric skincare are these three strict guidelines when it comes to using L-ascorbic acid:

• Purity: Use pure, stable L-ascorbic acid as it’s the only active ingredient proven to increase the amount of vitamin C in the skin.

• Concentration: Use just the right amount of L-ascorbic acid. The brand found that a 15 per cent concentration is within the optimal range of 10-20 per cent, which means the formula will show results.

• Acidity: Ensure that the L-ascorbic acid remains at a pH level of 3.5 or below so that it is able to deliver optimum results to the skin.

This antioxidant trio is the must-have of antioxidant serums for a more radiant and youthful complexion. In fact, over 24 clinical studies have shown that C E Ferulic Serum is able to improve the signs of photo damage, such as reducing the appearance of lines, wrinkles and skin laxity while improving skin texture and overall brightness.
When it comes to antioxidants in skincare, SkinCeuticals is the authority, with 10 patents and 200-plus studies published in medical journals.
For best results, apply four to five drops to your face, neck and even the decolletage in the mornings, followed by moisturiser and sunscreen. If you’ve just had an aesthetic treatment (both invasive and non-invasive), do wait seven to 10 days before starting on the serum.

Other antioxidants-packed serums to try

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But if you’re new to antioxidant skincare, start with the SkinCeuticals Serum 10. Suitable for ultra-sensitive skin, it contains vitamin C and ferulic acid to neutralise free radical damage and reduce the look of premature ageing like fine lines and uneven skin tone.

For normal to oilier skin types, SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF promises to be your best skincare friend. It gives skin’s defenses a boost, while speeding up cell renewal and refining skin texture for a smoother complexion – ideal for those prone to breakouts. In addition to vitamin C and ferulic acid, this antioxidant serum also contains phloretin, an apple derivative that protects skin against UVA and UVB rays as well (though you still do need to use sunscreen).

So whether you’re heading out more now in Phase 2, or continuing WFH days, including an antioxidant serum in your daily skincare routine is truly one of the best things you can do for your skin.