The Best Antioxidant Face Serums, According to Dermatologists
Using these formulas daily can protect your complexion.
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You may have heard of antioxidants in your food — but they're also a key part of an effective skincare routine for any skin type. Antioxidants, like vitamin C and resveratrol, play a crucial role in just how healthy, radiant and youthful your face looks both now and over time. "Every day, we are exposed to environmental factors that create free radicals in our skin, like pollution and ultraviolet rays," explains Kavita Mariwalla, M.D., a dermatologist in West Islip, New York.
That's where antioxidants, both in the form of ingested nutrients and in topical skincare products like face serums, come in. Applying skincare made with antioxidants an help neutralize the damaging effects of free radicals, says Dendy Engelman, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City — and, over time, help prevent and repair signs of skin aging, including hyperpigmentation, lines and wrinkles, inflammation and dullness.
In the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab, our scientists have a long history of testing face serums, including antioxidant and anti-aging serums, using scientific instruments to measure changes in skin over the time period of product use. Consumer testers also evaluate formulas on factors like the appearance of their skin before and after use, plus the product's ease of use and cosmetic attributes. This data is then collated to find the best serums, including those with antioxidant properties.
Not all antioxidant serums are created equal — some have bonus benefits like wrinkle smoothing, brightening, calming and more, depending on your skin type and needs. Here, read all about the best antioxidant serums you can buy and their benefits, including GH Beauty Lab top-tested formulas and Good Housekeeping Seal star picks, plus more on the top ingredients to look for.
Mary Kay TimeWise Replenishing Serum C+E
Pros
- Contains multiple forms of proven antioxidants
- Firms and brightens skin
- Minimizes fine lines
Cons
Formulated with two types of antioxidant vitamin C plus vitamin E, Mary Kay's powerhouse serum, backed by the Good Housekeeping Seal, delivers a laundry list of anti-aging skincare effects. After eight weeks of twice daily use, 89% of users in a study showed visibly firmer skin, 84% had a reduction in fine lines, and 87% showed improvement in brightness, GH Beauty Lab data evaluation found.
| Main ingredients | Vitamins C and E |
| Additional benefits | Firming, brightening, line smoothing |
| Size | 1.5 oz. |
RoC Multi Correxion Revive + Glow Vitamin C Serum
Pros
- Contains 10% vitamin C
- Made with softening ingredients
- Evens and brightens skin tone
Cons
- High levels of active ingredient could irritate those with sensitivity
Feed your skin vibrancy-boosting “vitamins” via Roc’s GH Seal star and Beauty Award-winning antioxidant serum, blended with potent 10% vitamin C balanced by emollient castor oil and glycerin. After four weeks of once-daily use, 94% of users found that their skin tone was visibly more even, and 100% had brighter skin in an expert assessment, according to GH Beauty Lab data analysis. Note that high percentages of vitamin C have the potential to irritate sensitive skin types.
| Main ingredients | Vitamin C, peptides |
| Additional benefits | Brightens, evens skin tone |
| Size | 1 oz. |
SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic
Pros
- Contains high levels of vitamin C
- Dermatologist-recommended
- Helps brighten, firm and fend off lines
Cons
- Scent may be unappealing
- Expensive
Packed with 15% vitamin C plus enhancing vitamin E and ferulic acid, SkinCeuticals is the gold standard of vitamin C antioxidant serums hailed by both dermatologists and GH Beauty Lab experts, including GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Sabina Wizemann. Known for its firming, line-fighting, and brightening benefits, "I’ve been using it religiously for over 10 years and I swear it has changed my skin," raves GH beauty editor Dori Price. One drawback: Some users aren't fans of the strong scent.
| Main ingredients | Vitamins C and E, ferulic acid |
| Additional benefits | Brightening, anti-aging |
| Size | 1 oz. |
Pros
- Contains both antioxidant and oil-minimizing ingredients
- Clarifies and smooths skin
- Lightweight liquid formula
Cons
- May feel tacky
- Pricey
A GH Beauty Award winner, this SkinCeuticals serum is a unique blend of a high 15% level of antioxidant vitamin C and purifying salicylic acid. The liquid simultaneously protects skin, reduces excess oil and improves signs of aging like lines. (A caveat: a few users commented that it the formula felt sticky.) “Based on data review, this is effective for improving skin clarity and texture,” Wizemann reports.
| Main ingredients | Vitamin C, salicylic acid |
| Additional benefits | Purifying, smoothing |
| Size | 1 oz. |
Eau Thermale Avène A-Oxitive Antioxidant Defense Serum
Pros
- Soothes sensitivity
- Non-irritating
- Lightweight, softening formula
Cons
- Scent is polarizing
Made with antioxidant vitamins C and E plus hydrating hyaluronic acid, Eau Thermale Avène's gentle serum is a GH Beauty Lab favorite. "It calmed my skin, wasn't irritating, and didn't cause redness," Wizemann reports. "The formula absorbed quickly, felt light, and left my skin soft, and I'm convinced it made my skin a bit more even over a few months." While some users praised the scent, others called it too "strong."
| Main ingredients | Vitamins C and E, hyaluronic acid |
| Additional benefits | Calming, softening |
| Size | 1 oz. |
SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF Serum
Pros
- Works on oily and acne-prone skin types
- Reduces dark marks from acne
- High levels of antioxidants
Cons
- Could be too strong for sensitive skin types
- Expensive
This 10% vitamin C serum from SkinCeuticals bolstered with additional antioxidant protection from phloretin and ferulic acid is a GH beauty editor go-to for breakout-prone skin. "I’m prone to hormonal breakouts on my chin that can turn into hyperpigmentation, and this serum really helps mitigate those dark spots, plus it goes on smooth," notes one editor. Some users commented on the "off-putting" aroma and that it was too harsh on their skin.
| Main ingredients | Vitamin C, ferulic acid, phloretin |
| Additional benefits | Evens skin tone |
| Size | 1 oz. |
Olay Vitamin C + Peptide 24 Brightening Serum
Pros
- Contains effective active ingredients
- Measurably brightens skin and improves dark marks
Cons
- Could cause breakouts for some
Get glowing, more even-toned skin with GH Seal star Olay's antioxidant serum packed with powerhouse ingredients like vitamin C, peptides, niacinamide and lactic acid. GH Beauty Lab data evaluation confirmed that the formula significantly improves skin brightness and dark spots starting at two weeks of twice daily use, per a study on 120 women. Note that some users reported breakouts after application, so it may not be best for those with acne-prone skin.
| Main ingredients | Vitamin C, niacinamide |
| Additional benefits | Reduces hyperpigmentation, anti-aging |
| Size | 1.3 oz. |
Mary Kay Clinical Solutions C + Resveratrol Line-Reducer
Pros
- Delivers skin protecting, smoothing and collagen-boosting effects
- Concentrated active ingredients
Cons
- Small size
Protect skin and tackle mature skin concerns at the same time with Mary Kay's booster serum backed by the Good Housekeeping Seal that's blended with antioxidants vitamin C and resveratrol. GH Beauty Lab data analysis confirmed that the vitamin C in the formula can help increase collagen and elastin production to keep skin looking more youthful and its peptides can improve the appearance of fine lines. Though the serum contains a smaller amount of product than most, clinical data showed that is not pore-clogging and didn't cause irritation.
| Main ingredients | Vitamin C, resveratrol, peptides |
| Additional benefits | Anti-aging, line-smoothing |
| Size | 0.5 oz. |
No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Serum
Pros
- Contains three types of antioxidants
- Measurably firms skin and reduces pores
- Smooths skin texture
Cons
- Made with retinol which can irritate
A GH Beauty Lab anti-aging serum test winner, No7 is packed with antioxidants vitamin C and E and retinol, plus smoothing peptides and softening hyaluronic acid. (Note that retinol can cause irritation, especially for sensitive skin.) The formula was tops for improving skin's texture, firmness, pores and dark spots. Lab measurements found a 21% increase in firmness and 6% reduction in the appearance of pores after four weeks of use. "I saw results within the first 10 days — smoother texture, wrinkles less visible," a tester commented. Another reported: "My skin looks younger."
| Main ingredients | Vitamins C and E, peptides, retinol, hyaluronic acid |
| Additional benefits | Smoothing, firming, pore minimizing |
| Size | 1 oz. |
Olay Tone Perfection Serum Vitamin B3 and Vitamin C
Pros
- Made with two potent antioxidants
- Markedly improves hyperpigmentation
- Affordably-priced
Cons
- Some didn't like the liquid formula
A combination of antioxidants niacinamide and vitamin C, Olay's GH Seal star serum is formulated to tackle dark spots. A 10 week study of 144 women with hyperpigmentation spots found significant improvement in skin tone and hyperpigmentation after applying the formula twice daily, GH Beauty Lab data evaluation confirmed. A few users commented that they didn't like the serum's "watery" texture.
| Main ingredients | Vitamin C, niacinamide |
| Additional benefits | Reduces hyperpigmentation, evens skin tone |
| Size | 1.3 oz. |
SkinCeuticals Metacell Renewal B3
Pros
- Good for most skin types
- Made with 5% niacinamide
- Measurably reduces wrinkles
Cons
- Pricey but larger size
- Could feel drying on dry skin types
A dermatologist favorite and GH Beauty Lab test winner, SkinCeuticals’ super serum, which contains high levels of antioxidant niacinamide, earned high marks for visible wrinkle softening, brightening and firming. In Lab testing, the light liquid reduced wrinkles by 5% after four weeks of use, according to measurements with the Visia Complexion Analyzer. A small number of testers commented that "was a little drying" and though the serum is more expensive, it also includes nearly twice as much product as most others." Two fans raved: “Almost immediate results on my fine lines,” and "This is one of the best products I have ever used."
| Main ingredients | Niacinamide, peptides |
| Additional benefits | Line minimizing, brightening, firming |
| Size | 1.7 oz. |
Pros
- Naturally-derived ingredients
- Calms inflamed skin
Cons
- Not for anti-aging or brightening
Ren Clean Skincare's calming serum is based on naturally-derived botanical extracts and oils, along with antioxidant vitamin E. In addition, "this contains beta-carotene, a powerful antioxidant that can neutralize free radicals," Wizemann explains. "It absorbs well, my skin looks less red, and I have less overall burning and discomfort." Though it's a super soother, it's not meant to provide strong anti-aging effects.
| Main ingredients | Beta-carotene, vitamin E, hyaluronic acid |
| Additional benefits | Calming, redness reducing |
| Size | 1.02 oz. |
Pros
- Contains 5% antioxidant niacinamide
- Fast-acting formula
- Noticeably smooths lines
- Fragrance-free
Cons
- Some users found the dropper applicator difficult to use
"Boosted" with concentrated quantities of the antioxidant niacinamide plus smoothing peptides, GH Seal star Olay’s silky serum delivers speedy results. The potent 5% niacinamide formula effectively sped up skin cell regeneration, and cheek and eye lines were visibly smoothed 10 minutes after application, GH Beauty Lab data evaluations found. While some users praised the dropper applicator, others found it tricky to use.
| Main ingredients | Niacinamide, peptides |
| Additional benefits | Line smoothing |
| Size | 1 oz. |
How we test antioxidant serums
To determine the best serums, including those with antioxidants, GH Beauty Lab scientists first label-mask the products to eliminate bias, then distribute them to dozens of consumer testers, who use the formulas in their daily routines over a set time period between four and twelve weeks. In the Lab, analysts use the Visia Complexion Analyzer device to track changes in skin during the product's use, including hyperpigmentation, lines and wrinkles, and pores.
When applicable, the Cutometer machine (above), which gauges skin laxity, is used to measure changes in firmness. Testers also report their feedback on skin's look and feel during and after use, perceived changes in skin, and product attributes such as ease of use, scent, texture and absorption. Hundreds of data points are then tallied to find the best serums to target specific skincare issues.
What to look for when shopping for the best antioxidant serum
Although many ingredients are touted for their antioxidant effects, these are the most proven effective actives to seek out in face serums, according to Dr. Mariwalla:
✔️ Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, known for reducing hyperpigmentation and evening skin tone. It's the gold standard of antioxidants and is best for combination or dry skin, but steer clear if you're oily or acne-prone, says Dr. Mariwalla, since "vitamin C does make some people break out."
✔️ Niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3, has added benefits including brightening, minimizing wrinkles, and strengthening the skin barrier to lessen dryness and irritation. It's generally well-tolerated by combination, dry and sensitive skin types, and is also great for acne-prone or oily skin as well.
✔️ Resveratrol, a polyphenol found in the skin of red grapes that has anti-aging effects, boosting firmness and smoothing. It's great for combination, dry or sensitive skin.
✔️ Vitamin E, also known as tocopherol, which can soothe skin, making it ideal for combination, dry or sensitive skin.
✔️ Retinol, a vitamin A derivative, also a wrinkle smoothing and skin tone-evening active. Dr. Mariwalla recommends sticking with retinol if you're acne- or oil-prone.
✔️ Green tea, a botanical that has anti-inflammatory effects, is best for combination, dry or sensitive skin.
What are the benefits of an antioxidant serum?
Antioxidant serums protect skin from damaging free radicals, helping prevent and repair signs of aging. "A free radical is a molecule with an unpaired electron, which means it is unstable and highly reactive," says Dr. Mariwalla. "Free radicals on the skin are unstable atoms and as such are always seeking that extra electron from other cells to become stable," she explains. "Once a free radical takes an electron from another molecule, that molecule becomes a free radical, setting off a chain reaction resulting in oxidative stress, which breaks down skin's collagen and results in wrinkling and a sallow appearance. As these accumulate, the body is affected in the form of illness and accelerated aging."
Like skin superheroes, antioxidants bind to free radicals and donate their electrons, stopping free radicals from stealing electrons from skin cells and causing damage. Over time, reduced free radical damage means less lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and inflammation, which can lead to smoother and brighter skin.
When should you starting using an antioxidant serum?
Everyone's skin is constantly exposed to free radicals, so an antioxidant serum can be beneficial at nearly any age, starting in the 20s. To incorporate an antioxidant serum into your skincare routine, apply it as your first step after washing your face in the morning, evening or both, "that way it [sits] directly on your skin," Dr. Mariwalla advises.
If you choose to use your serum once daily, opt for the morning, since during the day skin is more exposed to environmental factors like UV light that can cause free radical damage. Note that antioxidant serums should be used in addition to a broad-spectrum face sunscreen, not in place of one.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
April Franzino, the Beauty Director at Good Housekeeping, has over 15 years of experience researching, writing and editing skincare-related content, utilizing the expertise of GH Beauty Lab scientists and top industry professionals such as dermatologists and aestheticians. For this piece, she reported on the research behind, testing protocols for and results of the GH Beauty Lab's testing of serums containing antioxidants. Franzino also interviewed dermatologist experts for insights into antioxidant serums as a category.
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