17 Best Antioxidant Serums for a Brighter, Clearer Complexion

Skin-care ingredients can get tricky, especially if we're talking about umbrella terms like antioxidants. Chances are, you might be acquainted with some of the most popular antioxidants in skin care already, like vitamin C and niacinamide. However, the best antioxidant serums contain a slew of these oxidative stress- and free radical-fighting ingredients so your skin will look and feel its best after every use.

What are antioxidants, anyway? According to Los Angeles-based, board-certified dermatologist James Y. Wang, MD, antioxidants are molecules that neutralize the effects of free radicals, also known as oxidants, that are created from both your metabolism and external factors. "Free radicals are thought to damage DNA and lead to mutations that cause the signs of aging," he says. Dr. Wang also notes that antioxidants can play a key role in supporting the health of your skin barrier. "Antioxidants ensure that the barrier remains healthy and is able to defend against environmental assaults, such as UV light, pollution, and chemicals," he says.

Since antioxidants target free radical damage at the molecular level, both Dr. Wang and Nava Greenfield, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, note that antioxidants can actually prevent the development of cancer. "DNA damage results in aging skin and can also cause skin cancer," says Dr. Greenfield. "Antioxidants prevent the DNA damage that can cause irreversible damage resulting in aging skin and skin cancer."

Here's the thing: according to Harvard University's T.H. Chan School of Public Health, there are hundreds if not thousands of antioxidants out there. So, which ones should you add to your skin-care routine? Both Dr. Greenfield and Dr. Wang say vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that's a great addition to just about anyone's regimen. It's known for its brightening, skin-firming, and hyperpigmentation-reducing properties, but it's also worth noting that there are quite a few formulations of the potent antioxidant. 

Look out for products that contain stabilized forms of vitamin C, such as l-ascorbic acid, and pair this ingredient with other antioxidants like vitamin E and ferulic acid along with your favorite sunscreen to boost its skin-nourishing effects. Other antioxidants Dr. Wang recommends adding to your routine include glutathione (a peptide derivative known for its firming properties), niacinamide (a mattifying must for oily skin), retinol (a fine line- and wrinkle-targeting powerhouse), and resveratrol (a skin-smoothing moisturizer found in grapes) into your routine.

Now that you have all the info, it's time to put antioxidants to the test. Below, take a look at some of the best antioxidant-fueled serums that derms and Allure editors alike are fans of.

Our Top Picks:

1. Best Overall: La Roche-Posay Anthelios AOX Daily Antioxidant Face Serum SPF 50, $45
2. Redness Reducer: Alastin Skincare A-Luminate Brightening Serum, $168
3. Best for Mature Skin: Isdin Isdinceutics Flavo-C Ultraglican Daily Antioxidant Serum, $112
4. Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Skinfix Acne+ Adapinoid Gel, $48
5. Best Brightening Serum: Tatcha Violet-C Brightening Serum, $89
6. The Award-Winner: SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic, $182
7. The Multitasker: Lancôme Rénergie H.C.F. Triple Serum, $140

Dr. Wang calls La Roche-Posay's Anthelios AOX Daily Antioxidant Face Serum SPF 50 the "one-stop-shop" of antioxidant serums. "In addition to vitamins C and E, this serum contains scutellaria baicalensis root extract, which is potent in antioxidants," he says. "Best of all, it already contains broad-spectrum SPF 50."

Connecticut-based, board-certified dermatologist Deanne Mraz Robinson, MD says she's especially impressed by Alastin Skincare's A-Luminate Brightening Serum for its irritation-free formulation, which is mainly powered by brightening antioxidants niacinamide and tranexamic acid. "My favorite thing about this serum is how the antioxidant profile helps reduce redness while calming the skin, which is not usual of other topical brightening agents, which can be very irritating and cause redness," she says.

If you're on the market for a serum that'll reduce the appearance of fine lines, Dr. Robinson says to look no further than Isdin's Isdinceutics Flavo-C Ultraglican Daily Antioxidant Serum. Its main ingredient is powerhouse antioxidant vitamin C, but Dr. Robinson says this lightweight serum-in-ampoule also contains additives with dryness-reducing, skin-plumping benefits. "It's formulated with hyaluronic acid for deep hydration, and the brand's proprietary UltraGlycans — which is a combination of proteoglycans and pre-proteogylcans — to help with firmness and elasticity and deliver a radiant glow," she says.

If acne is one of your biggest skin-care concerns, you can target blemishes with the antioxidant-powered Skinfix Acne+ Adapinoid Gel. The star of this formulation is niacinamide, a powerful breakout-reducing antioxidant that not only reduces dark spots but also absorbs pore-clogging oil and significantly reduces redness. To keep dryness at bay, this acne treatment also contains moisture-replenishing squalane.

If brightening, moisturizing, firming, and tone-evening benefits are all a must for you, allow us to introduce you to the Paula's Choice Resist Super Antioxidant Serum. This serum covers all your bases with an intensive blend of, you guessed it, antioxidants. Along with vitamin C, the serum is infused with vitamin E to defend the skin against environmental aggressors while coenzyme Q10 calms the skin and acts as an anti-inflammatory agent. Not to mention, it also contains ceramides to replenish moisture and support the skin barrier.

For less than $10, The Ordinary's Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3% is pretty impressive when it comes to reducing the look of dark spots and uneven skin tone. As its name suggests, this serum provides a double dose of antioxidant protection to guard skin against free radical damage while addressing pigmentation concerns.

Dr. Wang also suggests grabbing Eau Thermale Avène's A-Oxitive Antioxidant Defense Serum, which has an intensive antioxidant mix of vitamins C and E that's suitable for sensitive skin types. "This product absorbs quickly into the skin and contains thermal spring water, which has anti-inflammatory properties," he says.

If you're on the hunt for a dermatologist-approved drugstore serum, Dr. Wang says to try CeraVe's Resurfacing Retinol Serum. "This product contains vitamin B3 [also known as niacinamide] and retinol, which is actually a vitamin A derivative," he says. Those who are sensitive to retinol's intensive properties will be happy to know that this formulation encapsulates the ingredient in soothing, conditioning ceramides and hyaluronic acid to reduce any chances of irritation.

You've probably spotted the Topicals Faded Serum somewhere on your TikTok FYP, and that's not just because the brand has pretty packaging. This creamy serum contains tranexamic acid, an antioxidant known for its dark mark-fading properties, and kojic acid, another exfoliating additive that targets hyperpigmentation.

One of Dr. Wang's favorite splurge-worthy antioxidant serums is, without a doubt, Tatcha's Violet-C Brightening Serum. "In addition to containing a few active forms of vitamin C, it also contains various antioxidant-rich phytoextracts," he says. He also notes that this serum also has skin-conditioning benefits, thanks to the addition of hydrating hyaluronic acid and moisture-retaining glycerin.

If we had a dollar for every time a dermatologist recommended the SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic serum to us, we'd be rolling in dough right now. We're not kidding: it's one of the most-used skin-care products amongst dermatologists, so they're actually fans of the product. This game-changing vitamin C, E, and ferulic acid serum became the most derm-beloved formula for its trifecta of antioxidants. Together, these ingredients address concerns like skin texture, tone, and sun damage — no wonder it's a five-time Allure Best of Beauty and Readers' Choice Award winner.

Dr. Greenfield says Vichy's Liftactiv Vitamin C Serum is the perfect addition to any sensitive skin type's routine since it contains a powerful 15 percent vitamin C formula that won't lead to irritation or redness. This formulation also contains vitamin E to boost the serum's efficacy and polyphenols for moisture retention.

Vitamin C is one of skin care's most beloved ingredients for its brightening, antioxidant powers, but not all vitamin C is worthy of the hype. Mario Badescu's serum is one you can feel good about applying. It contains two of the most effective forms of the hero ingredient: an ascorbate and 3-0-ethyl-ascorbic acid, both stabilized forms of vitamin C. It helps fade hyperpigmentation like sun spots, gives skin an overall glow, and wears beautifully under the rest of your routine. And even though it’s potent, drastically fading the sunspots across editor Talia Gutierrez’s cheeks and hormonal acne scars on her chin in about one month, it didn’t irritate her sensitive skin or cause any redness: "Brightens and evens out skin tones with each and every morning application," Gutierrez says. 

Ren Skincare's Glow and Protect Serum is powered by kakadu plum extract, which is rich in discoloration- and dullness-reducing vitamin C, but that's not the only reason why Dr. Greenfield says it's one of her favorite formulas. This intensive serum partners the additive with vitamin E and pomegranate-derived polyphenols for a hefty dose of antioxidants in just a few drops. "This serum has a powerful combination of antioxidants combined in a formulation that provides protection against some of the most damaging environmental toxins and can even skin tone in as little as 2 weeks," she says.

Lancôme's Rénergie H.C.F. Triple Serum is such a hit within the Allure office that it won a Best of Beauty Award in 2022 for its oxidation-reducing formula. This potent skin-care elixir targets dullness, dry skin, and environmental aggressors with a heavy-hitting blend of hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, niacinamide, and ferulic acid. It basically checks off every skin-care benefit we could think of, so how could we not love it?

Want an intensive exfoliating serum? Look no further than Drunk Elephant's T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum, a glycolic acid-based formula that's practically made for acne-prone skin. On top of the skin-tightening alpha hydroxy acid, this serum also contains pore-unclogging salicylic acid to tackle blemishes and breakouts while antioxidant-rich raspberry extract soothes and replenishes moisture.

Dullness and dark spots are no match for Sunday Riley's C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum. This rich, cream-like serum utilizes a stabilized version of vitamin C known as THD ascorbate to boost your complexion's radiance while moisturizing skin and reducing the look of discoloration, making it great for dry skin types.

Read more about our favorite skin-nourishing ingredients:

• 15 Best Glycerin Skin-Care Products for Plumper, Softer Skin
• 17 Best Alpha Hydroxy Acid Products for Your Softest Skin Ever
• These Allantoin Products Are Great for Irritated, Stressed Skin Types

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