By now, we’re all aware that the utmost important part of our skin-care routine is applying (and reapplying) a broad-spectrum sunscreen in order to properly shield ourselves against both UVA and UVB rays. However, there are some skin-care ingredients out there that can help up our defenses—namely, antioxidants.
“Antioxidants both protect skin from damage before it occurs and offset the visible signs of damage, like photoaging, which can manifest as fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and uneven skin tone,” says New York City board-certified dermatologist Dr. Dendy Engelman. “They protect skin by pairing with free radicals—destructive, unstable compounds that cause skin damage—before they cause damage. When free radicals ‘steal’ electrons from other molecules to complete themselves, the other molecules are left unstable and then go in search of electrons from other sources, creating a domino effect. This destructive cycle weakens the skin barrier and leads to photoaging.”
But how exactly do they work? As Beverly Hills, California, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Ava Shamban explains, antioxidants help to downregulate these free radical compounds by neutralizing them. “They donate an electron to free radicals, to stabilize their function, protecting the skin and rendering them powerless,” she says. “This helps to prevent oxidative stress, which breaks down collagen, hinders skin’s natural repair process, and triggers inflammation. Therefore, they help fight dark spots, create a more even complexion, and stave off collagen breakdown.”
It’s important to reiterate that sunscreen is the ultimate defense against sun-related skin damage (aside from limiting our time spent in the sun, of course), and no antioxidants or other skin-care ingredients should ever be treated as a replacement for it. “Nothing should replace SPF when it comes to protecting your skin,” says Dr. Engelman. “I recommend that everyone wear sunscreen daily and put on protective clothing (like hats or a cover-up) when spending a lot of time in the sun. That being said, adding antioxidants to your daily skin-care routine, especially before and after sun exposure, is a great way to help mitigate any damage that may have occurred and reduce the effects of photoaging.” The best way to do so? Layering an antioxidant-rich serum under your moisturizer and sunscreen.
Not all antioxidants are created equal, however, and some are far more powerful at specifically protecting against damage caused by UV rays. Ahead, the six antioxidants and antioxidant-rich ingredients dermatologists say you should be pairing with your sunscreen, to boost your defenses against the sun.
Vitamin C
Perhaps one of the most popular antioxidants used in skin care is vitamin C, which Dr. Engelman considers the star ingredient when it comes to protecting against sun-induced free radical damage and signs of aging. “Layering a vitamin C serum under [sunscreen] is one of my favorite secrets for clear, healthy skin all summer long. It will penetrate the skin deeply and deliver concentrated antioxidants.”
Dr. Shamban agrees, explaining that by slowing down oxidative damage in the skin, vitamin C helps to support collagen synthesis and protect against photodamage. “And it’s even more viable with sunscreen,” she adds. Plus, due to its ability to improve skin tone and texture, it can help fade existing hyperpigmentation and dark spots caused by previous exposure, leaving the skin smooth and even. If your skin is particularly oily or acne-prone, Dr. Engelman adds that vitamin C actually forms a barrier on the skin that can prevent your sunscreen from triggering acne breakouts.
Wander Beauty Sight C-er Vitamin C Concentrate ($42)
This multitasking vitamin C concentrate brightens, stimulates collagen production, and provides antioxidant protection—all thanks to a 20% vitamin C complex including ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate, an ultra-potent yet gentle vitamin C derivative that deeply penetrates the skin. The formula also boasts seven molecular weights of hyaluronic acid, to plump and hydrate; squalane, to support the skin barrier; and niacinamide, to improve skin texture and tone. Plus it has pearl light-diffusing optics that leave the complexion luminous.
VI Derm Beauty Vitamin C Brightening Concentrate ($88)
This brightening vitamin C concentrate uses THD ascorbate, another form of vitamin C that’s known to penetrate the skin on a deeper level than other common forms. It both reduces the appearance of sun damage while preventing future damage and contains a silicone-based emollient that helps to temporarily plump the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Vitamin E
Both Dr. Shamban and Dr. Engelman list vitamin E as another potent antioxidant to pair with your sunscreen. On its own, it protects and reduces UV damage from free radicals at a cellular level, fighting signs of aging and photodamage, and is also excellent for nourishing and calming the skin. “Its healing properties soothe the skin and provide relief if you do get a sunburn,” says Dr. Engelman.
Dr. Engelman points out that when it’s paired with vitamin C, it becomes all the more powerful. “When vitamins C and E are paired together, they have a synergistic effect that provides even greater protection against UV damage. That’s why you’ll find that most vitamin C products are also paired with this powerhouse antioxidant.”
Melach 33 Rimmon Elixir Face Oil ($44)
Dr. Engelman considers this antioxidant and omega fatty acid–rich face oil to be a worthy addition to anyone’s skin-care routine, for both protecting against sun damage and healing the skin post-exposure. “This is a super-nourishing yet lightweight facial oil featuring amazing ingredients like antioxidant-packed pomegranate seed oil, calming jojoba oil, and healing vitamin E oil,” she says, adding that the formula also contains no filler ingredients.
SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic ($166)
Combining the forces of vitamins C and E with ferulic acid, another powerful antioxidant that increases the efficacy of both vitamins, this cult-favorite serum offers potent protection against environmental stressors and helps to neutralize free radicals caused by UVA and UVB rays, to minimize sun damage. It also improves existing signs of aging and photodamage, smoothing out lines and wrinkles while brightening and evening out the complexion.
Resveratrol
Resveratrol, an antioxidant that can be found in the skin of grapes (and in your red wine), berries, peanuts, and chocolate, also boasts quite a few sun damage-fighting benefits when used in topical form. According to Dr. Shamban, it’s been shown to have chemopreventive effects by preventing skin cells from being damaged by UV exposure. Studies have shown it to be effective against both UVA and UVB rays.
Like other antioxidants, in addition to protecting against UV rays, it also protects the skin against free radical damage and boosts collagen production, further preventing signs of aging. It also has a calming effect on the skin, minimizing the look of redness or inflammation after exposure.
The Ordinary Resveratrol 3% and Ferulic Acid ($7.90)
This affordable, highly potent antioxidant serum is formulated with 3% resveratrol, to protect the skin against free radical damage caused by environmental stressors. It also contains ferulic acid, to boost the resveratrol’s efficacy and provide extra antioxidant support.
Furtuna Skin Due Alberi Biphase Moisturizing Oil ($225)
With a formula that’s brimming with organic and wildcrafted botanicals, bioactive nutrients, vitamins, and antioxidants, this two-phase face oil hydrates, plumps, and protects the skin. In addition to a stabilized vitamin C complex and collagen-supporting chicory, it features wild organic grape vine, a soothing and free radical–fighting plant that’s rich in resveratrol.
Green tea
Chock-full of antioxidant-rich polyphenols, green tea is another common skin-care ingredient that plays well with sunscreen. “It defends against damage and supports collagen and elastin when used in tandem with [sunscreen], leading to more supple skin and less visible signs of photoaging,” she says.
In addition to antioxidants, polyphenols also provide anti-inflammatory benefits, which can be helpful for minimizing damage and soothing sun-exposed skin. One of the more popular polyphenols found in skin-care topicals is EGCG, or epigallocatechin gallate; it has been shown in studies to promote DNA repair in skin cells, which can help prevent nonmelanoma skin cancer caused by UV radiation. Also worth noting? Green tea has antibacterial properties and can reduce sebum production, making it a top choice for those with oily or acne-prone skin.
BeautyStat Universal C Eye Perfector ($65)
This anti-inflammatory, antioxidant-rich eye treatment counts EGCG as one of its key ingredients, protecting against free radical–induced lines and wrinkles and loss of firmness. Along with vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and an exclusive repair complex that contains hemp oil and caffeine, it works hard to also brighten, de-puff, and smooth out the eye area.
Senté Dermal Repair Cream ($164)
Powered by a patented heparan sulfate analog (HSA), this intensely hydrating anti-aging moisturizer is clinically proven to promote skin renewal and repair, diminishing the appearance of lines and wrinkles. The formula is also infused with green tea extract, gently soothing the skin while providing powerful antioxidant protection against sun damage and other environmental stressors.
Retinoids (vitamin A)
In terms of minimizing the look of existing sun damage, is there a skin-care ingredient more renowned than retinoids, or topical vitamin A? This potent antioxidant does it all—boosting cell turnover, supporting collagen and elastin production, and reversing existing signs of photodamage by fading hyperpigmentation and dark spots and smoothing out lines and wrinkles. According to Dr. Shamban, vitamin A can also prevent sunburn erythema (or redness) too. “Definitely look to the A team,” she says and suggests ingesting beta carotene (from carrots or leafy greens or via a supplement), a precursor to vitamin A that gets converted in the body in order to support healthy skin. A 2007 study even found that beta carotene can protect against sunburn.
Because retinoids can be harsh and are generally unstable ingredients that break down in sunlight, it’s usually recommended to use them only at night, following with sunscreen in the morning, in order to be most effective.
Obagi360 Retinol 1.0 ($74)
This potent retinol treatment contains 1% encapsulated retinol, to improve the appearance of hyperpigmentation caused by sun damage, in addition to smoothing out lines and wrinkles and boosting cell regeneration. Because retinol is notoriously irritating, the formula is infused with nourishing shea butter and jojoba oils, to minimize redness and discomfort, as well as a slew of plant-based antioxidants, to further protect the skin from environmental stressors.
Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream ($74)
Formulated with 1% vegan retinol, this superfood-rich cream improves the appearance of uneven tone and texture while protecting against sun damage. It also contains a firming and strengthening tripeptide blend that boosts the efficacy of retinol as well as fatty acid–rich vitamin F, which leaves the skin supple, smooth, and calm.
Shea butter
Dr. Engelman recommends reaching for products with shea butter, to both prevent and heal sun damage. “It has a number of amazing properties that make it great for protecting skin and minimizing damage,” she says. While not an antioxidant itself, it’s a great source of the aforementioned vitamins A and E as well as catechins, types of antioxidant-rich polyphenols that are also found in green tea. These antioxidants, she says, can help provide some protection against sun damage and photoaging. “It also has anti-inflammatory and healing properties that calm skin, soothe burns, and fade scars. The lipids in shea butter moisturize skin deeply, to protect against dryness, flaking, and cracking.”
While we’re used to seeing shea butter in heavier body creams and lotions, it’s actually considered to be noncomedogenic, so it’s generally safe for use for all skin types, from dry to oily or acne-prone.
Doctor Rogers RESTORE Face Cream ($72)
Dull and lackluster skin can benefit from this nourishing and rejuvenating face cream. Formulated with antioxidant-rich shea butter, it replenishes the skin with fatty acids while providing protection against free radical damage. It also contains niacinamide, to clear pores, improve uneven skin tone, and reduce redness, while tiger grass helps to soothe inflammation and irritation.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Super Anti-Aging Face Cream ($360)
Consider this the ultimate defense against signs of aging, providing both instant and long-term results. Utilizing a unique formulation of ingredients designed to mimic our natural skin barrier, this cream strengthens the skin’s ability to repair itself and hold moisture, while anti-aging powerhouse purslane defends against free radical damage. It contains a high concentration of short- and long-chain hyaluronic acid molecules that hydrate and plump out lines and wrinkles, while shea butter provides extra antioxidant benefits and deep moisture. It also contains plankton biopolymers, to firm the skin, plus meadow knotweed extract, to restore radiance.
