The Ordinary Antioxidants

Antioxidants. We love them in our wine and we love them even more in our skincare. They’re good for the body and really good for the skin. How? Antioxidants brighten, target signs of aging and help to improve the quality of your skin. They work to fight free radical damage and help to protect the skin against UV damage. Even the most diligent SPF users can reap all the benefits of a good antioxidant serum.

While they don’t perform like an acid or retinoid, they do wonders for improving fine lines, dark spots and brightening the skin. Vitamin C is the most common and widely used antioxidant. It’s a great way to start off your morning routine. But, it’s just one of many antioxidants you can use on the skin.

The Ordinary Antioxidants

The Ordinary Antioxidants

We know antioxidants are a great way to add anti-aging and antioxidant support into your routine. Antioxidants work to brighten your complexion, improve fine lines and elasticity. Plus, the fight against free radicals and help to prevent future damage. But, they’re not just reserved for “mature” skin. All skin types can benefit from antioxidants.

We all know Vitamin C and that’s usually the antioxidant of choice but you don’t have to stop there. In fact adding other antioxidants into your routine can make your vitamin C even better.

Most antioxidant and anti-aging serums are very specific and very expensive. The Ordinary’s line up is super affordable with a few different options to target your skincare needs. If you’re looking to add antioxidants into your routine, this is a great place to start.

EUK 134 0.1%

How To Use: Use in the AM or PM, alone or after water based serums, before creams and oils. Mix this with an oil or Natural Moisturizing Factors if it’s too strong or tingles on the skin. EUK is a very unique and innovative ingredient. It contains a mix of two enzymes naturally occurring in the skin. It’s regenerative meaning it lasts on the skin and offers long lasting antioxidant support. This makes it very soothing and not a product you need to use multiple times a day. Use it to treat irritation, redness and photo-aging.

Highlights

  • Targets redness and provides antioxidant support. Many reviews comment on a glowing complexion after introducing this product.
  • EUK is usually a pretty pricey product due to it’s high potency. This product is very affordable and 0.1% is an extremely high concentration. You don’t want to go any higher due to potential for irritation.
  • Water, silicone and oil free. Water inhibits antioxidant stability.

Use With: This product is anhydrous so use it alone or after water based products. Before creams and oils. It can be used with peptides, Vitamin C derivatives and retinoids.

Don’t Use With: This product has many conflicts. Do not mix with Direct Acids, Vitamin C (LAA/ELAA), “Buffet” + Copper Peptides 1%, or Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3%.

Pycnogenol 5%

How To Use: Use this after water-based serums, before oils and creams. AM or PM. Pycnogenol is a natural plant extract derived from the pine bark of French Maritime pine trees. It’s used to rejuvenate the skin and works to protect the skin from free radicals before they can cause damage. Pycnogenol isn’t the most popular antioxidant but it works very well to target signs of aging.

Highlights

  • Binds with collagen and elastin to help stop degradation. It nourishes the skin from the inside out.
  • Enhances hydration and skin elasticity. This makes it very good for targeting wrinkles.
  • Pycnogenol provides antioxidant support while nourishing and rejuvenating the skin. Meaning it protects from free radicals, plumps the skin, fights against toxins.
  • Can recycle oxidized Vitamin C to restore it’s effectiveness.
  • Has a dark orange hue due to high procyanidin content. It may stain the skin and clothes.
  • This antioxidant comes in a 15mL bottle which is smaller than The Ordinary’s other serums.

Use With: In the AM or PM. Alone or after water based serums. This product has way more freedom! Use this with direct acids, retinoids, peptides, more molecules or Vitamin C.

Don’t Use With: Conflicts with Buffet + Copper Peptides 1%.

Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3%

How To Use: Use this in the AM or PM, after water based serums, before creams and oils. This antioxidant can be used with Vitamin C for a bright, smooth and radiant complexion. Resveratrol and Ferulic acid are powerful antioxidants used to target signs of aging.

Highlights

  • Resveratrol works to protect the skin against UV damage. Ferulic acid works to target signs of aging like dark spots and fine lines. Together they help to improve the skin, protect from UV damage and give a radiant glow.
  • When paired with Vitamin C, it’s great for brightening and even the skin tone. Especially helpful with sun damage or hyperpigmentation.
  • Contains a high concentration of resveratrol and ferulic acid at 3% each. While still maintaining an affordable price tag.

Use With: You can use this with Vitamin C, direct acids, peptides, more molecules or retinoids. Stop if it begins to cause irritation. This antioxidant serum is especially good to pair with Vitamin C. Most vitamin C serums contain resveratrol and/or ferulic acid.

Don’t Use With: Conflicts with Buffet + Copper Peptides 1% or EUK 134 0.1%.

Final Thoughts

Adding an additional antioxidant serum into your routine is a great option if you’re looking to improve your skin tone. Vitamin C is where you want to start but adding more antioxidants is a great way to level up. If you’re looking for visible results, the Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3% is the best antioxidant to go for. This serum works to target signs of aging like fine lines, hyperpigmentation, dullness, and texture.

Resveratrol and ferulic acid are a bit more popular and readily available antioxidants than EUK 134 and Pycnogenol. These work to rejuvenate the skin and add antioxidant support. As well as combat redness and textural irregularities. They come in high concentrations and they’re very affordable for the quality The Ordinary offers.

The most important thing to remember with antioxidants is that they still have conflicts. Many of them work well with Vitamin C derivatives but it’s important to make sure your skin can tolerate that. When used appropriately, your skin will definitely show it!