Why You Need an Antioxidant Serum for Younger-Looking Skin

We updated this article in December 2022 to add more expert commentary and information about each featured product, plus three new picks from Mary Kay, Olay and SkinCeuticals based on extensive testing done by the Good Housekeeping Institute.

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. But what exactly is an antioxidant — and what do antioxidant serums do? Here's the breakdown: "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. "A free radical is a molecule with an unpaired electron, which means it is unstable and highly reactive, and as these accumulate, the body is affected in the form of illness and accelerated aging."

That's where antioxidants, both in the form of ingested nutrients and in topical skincare products like face serums, come in. "An antioxidant is a molecule that prevents the reactions that can produce free radicals," she says. 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.

But not all antioxidant serums are created equal (and some have bonus benefits like wrinkle smoothing, brightening, calming and more). Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab scientists have a long history of testing face serums, including antioxidant and anti-aging serums. In the Lab, scientific instruments are used 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.

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.