Ever heard the saying, an antioxidant serum a day keeps wrinkles away?
But not every antioxidant serum will do. Oh no. Most antioxidant serums only contain one or two antioxidants. Or better, a few drops of one or two antioxidants. Not enough to get the wrinkle prevention job done.
Antioxidants are like veggies. The more your skin eats, the younger it’ll look. So stock up. Use every antioxidant you can get your little hands on.
But wait… Does that mean you’ll have to use like 20 serums? Cos if every serum only has one or two antioxidants, you’d have to use so many, your skincare routine will be 10 steps long!
There’s a shortcut. Get a serum like Paula’s Choice Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum that has literally every antioxidant under the sun. Check this out:
- What’s In Paula’s Choice Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum?
- Texture
- Fragrance
- How To Use It
- Performance & Personal Opinion
- Who Is This For?
- Who Is This Not For?
- Packaging
- Does Paula’s Choice Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum Live Up To Its Claims?
- Price & Availability
- Do You Need It?
- Dupes & Alternatives
What’s In Paula’s Choice Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum?
ANTIOXIDANTS TO PREVENT PREMATURE AGING
Think of antioxidants as the skincare police.
Free radicals are criminals. They roam through your body looking for collagen, elastin and cellular DNA to destroy. When they succeed, skin starts to sag and wrinkle. You can even get dark spots.
Antioxidants patrol the body for free radicals. Their job is to neutralise them before they can wreak their damage on your skin.
Here’s where it gets tricky: there are many types of free radicals. Each antioxidant normally deals with one or two types. See now why the more antioxidants you use, the more damage you’ll prevent?
Paula’s Choice Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum is loaded with all the antioxidants you can think of. Like coenzyme Q10. Superoxide dismutase. Gluthatione. Soybean seed extract. Green tea. And a few more.
Can you imagine how many antioxidants they can destroy all together?
Related: Why Antioxidants Are Key In Wrinkle Prevention
CEF (VITAMINS C + E + FERULIC ACID) TO ENHANCE SUN PROTECTION
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I don’t believe any antioxidant is better than the others. But some COMBINATIONS of antioxidants do work better than others.
Case in point: CEF = Vitamin C + Vitamin E + Ferulic Acid.
They’re all powerful antioxidants on their own:
- Vitamin C fights free radicals, boosts collagen and brightens skin
- Vitamin E fights free radicals and hydrates skin
- Ferulic acid fights 3 types of free radicals
But put them together and they supercharge one another:
- They make one another more stable and effective for longer
- They boost the protection of your sunscreen
Whatever antioxidant serum you go for, make sure it has CEF. Needless to say, this one does. 🙂
Related: How Ferulic Acid Supercharges Vitamin C And E
SILICONES TO ENHANCE TEXTURE
If you’re ready to hit the buy button, this may put you off: the serum is silicone based.
I don’t have a problem with silicones. They allow the serum to glide on smoothly, make my skin silky soft and temporarily fill in fine lines and wrinkles so they look smaller.
They don’t even cause pimples: silicones have a particular molecular structure made up of larger molecules with wider spaces between each molecule. They create a barrier that keeps moisture in but still allows skin to perspire.
But if you use anything comedogenic before this serum, then yes, silicones can trap them underneath their protective barrier and cause breakouts.
Bottom line: don’t use comedogenic ingredients in your skincare and you’ll be fine.
Related: Are Silicones Good Or Bad?
Texture
The texture is smooth and lightweight but a tad sticky. It doesn’t leave a greasy residue behind or anything like that but if your skin is oily, you may not like it very much.
Fragrance
It’s fragrance-free.
How To Use It
Morning and night, after cleansing.
Need help creating an anti-aging routine that really works? Sign up to the newsletter below to receive the “Anti-Aging Skincare Routine Cheatsheet” (it includes product recommendations, too!).
Performance & Personal Opinion
The only thing I’d change about Paula’s Choice Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum? Its lightweight texture is a little bit sticky. It’s not a biggie, but it’ll put some people off.
If you can put up with it, it’s worth it. It leave skin silky soft and smooth to the touch and doubles up as a great base for foundation. It also gives my skin a lovely, natural glow. If you have dark spots, it may help you lighten them.
In the long run, the serum will help you age more slowly. Antioxidants can’t reduce the wrinkles you already have so if you expect to put this on and see your wrinkles disappear in two weeks, you’ll be SO disappointed.
What antioxidants do is PREVENT wrinkles. With regular use, you’ll stop new wrinkles from forming in the first place. And since prevention is easier than the cure, find a way to get your antioxidant fix every single day.
Another thing it does NOT do? Hydrate skin. But then this was never its job. Its job is to prevent wrinkles. If you need hydration, follow it up with a hyaluronic acid serum. (check out my fave picks here).
Related: Treatment VS Prevention: What Really Works To Fight Wrinkles
Who Is This For?
Anyone who wants to prevent premature aging.
Who Is This Not For?
Oily skin may find it a little sticky.
Packaging
Paula’s Choice Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum comes in a blue bottle with a pump applicator. It’s hygienic, practical, and keeps the antioxidants safe and effective for as long as possible.
P.S. Old package pictured here.
Does Paula’s Choice Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum Live Up To Its Claims?
| CLAIM | TRUE? |
|---|---|
| A hydrating, antioxidant-enriched serum that restores visible radiance for dull, dry skin while fighting against environmental attack. | It’s not that hydrating, but it does help protect skin from environmental attacks. |
| Improves the appearance of dull, uneven skin tone. | It brightens it a little, but it can’t significantly fade away dark spots. |
| This state-of-the-art serum helps minimize damage from environmental attack that cause skin to look older, while also helping to visibly improve a dull skin tone for smooth, radiant results. | True. |
Price & Availability
Available at: $38.00 at Dermstore, Feel Unique, Nordstrom and Paula’s Choice
Do You Need It?
Yes. If you’re looking for an anti-aging serum to prevent the signs of aging, Paula’s Choice Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum is one of the best options out there.
Dupes & Alternatives
- Dr Dennis Gross C+ Collagen Brighten & Firm Vitamin C Serum ($78.00)
- Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Power Serum ($98.00)
What’s your fave antioxidant serum? Share yours in the comments below.
Ingredients
Cyclopentasiloxane (hydration/suspending agent), Dimethicone (hydration/suspending agent), Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (vitamin c/antioxidant), Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5 (skin-restoring ingredient), Ceramide NP (hydration/skin replenishing), Tocotrienols (vitamin E/antioxidant), Tocopherol (vitamin E/antioxidant), Ubiquinone (coenzyme Q10/antioxidant), Thioctic Acid (Alpha Lipoic Acid, antioxidant), Tocopheryl Acetate (vitamin E/antioxidant), Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate (stabilized vitamin C/antioxidant), Ferulic Acid (antioxidant), Beta-Glucan (skin-soothing), Superoxide Dismutase (antioxidant), Epigallocatechin Gallate (antioxidant), Ergothioneine (antioxidant), Glutathione (antioxidant), Xanthophylls (antioxidant), Glycine Soja (Soybean) Seed Extract (antioxidant), Glycerin (hydration/skin replenishing), Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi (Bearberry) Leaf Extract (skin-soothing), Lupinus Albus Seed Oil (antioxidant), Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract (antioxidant), Elaeis Guineensis (Palm) Oil (emollient), Phenoxyethanol (preservative).
Whats your thoughts on silicones in hair products? It has a bad reputation on building up and in long run damaging the hair. I feel that my hair is more light weight without silicones and I avoid them.
Aigeni, silicones aren’t bad for hair and don’t damage it in the long run, but, just like any other ingredient, they aren’t for everyone. It really depends on what your needs are. Silicones coat the hair, sealing in split hands, preventing frizz and making it look shiny and healthy. They also allow the comb to glide through your hair more easily, which is something very useful for people like me whose hair is very prone to knots. In fact, when I use a conditioner without silicones, combing my hair becomes a nightmare.
However, silicones only make your hair appear better, rather than nourish it, and their effect is temporary. Also, they do built up on hair, but are easily removed with shampoo, so, unless you use lots of different haircare products, that’s not really a problem.
In short, if you’re hair is unmanageable or you want a quick fix to improve its appearance, use silicones safely. Otherwise, they may not be necessary.
What a thorough review, Gio!
I like the sound of this one. I never thought about how the packaging can protect the antioxidants. That’s why I have you to teach me!
Trisha, it’s a wonderful serum. I love it that they didn’t just create a great formula, but also packaged it properly so that it won’t lose its effectiveness before you finish the tube.
Hi,
I was wondering whether you think there’s enough of each active ingredient in this serum? I’m thinking of adding in another vit c + vit e + ferulic acid serum on top of this one just because I’m unsure whether they are at active concentrations in this serum and I don’t want to miss out on vit c! Ideally I wouldn’t want to waste money doing that though if it can be helped. Either way I’ll continue using this serum because of all the other antioxidants packed inside!
Jafar, hi. Yes, vitamin C is the third ingredient so there’s enough here to be active and working. Vitamin E and ferulic acid need to be present only at 1% each for this combo to work so they’re working well, too. You don’t need a separate CEF serum. 🙂
Excellent review 🙂 . A question thou : (quote) “Don’t use comedogenic ingredients in your skincare and you’ll be fine.” BUT .. is this anyhow comedogenic? I do not believe it is oil free at all, right? Also, when using a HA serum, then before or after this one ? 🙂
Christina, it contains a tiny amount of palm oil but that shouldn’t be enough to give you pimples. Apply HA after.
if i use this at night, can I use my retinol with it? If so, what order would you use it, before or after the retin a?
Julie, yes you can. I’d apply it after.
If I am using a Vitamin A based moisturiser, how far apart would I need to apply this serum?
Sarah, this doesn’t have vitamin A, so you can apply straight afterwards.
Hi Sarah, i’d like to use the antioxidant to supplement my Vitamin C serum in the AM (sodium ascorbyl phosphsate) or with my Vitamin A serum in the PM (HPR).
Hi, i am using BHA water base, do you think i can apply this after?
Jade, I think you may be able to, but you really have to try it to be sure. Maybe ask for a sample?
Hi Gio, there is a ultra-light version (Resist Ultra-light Super antioxidant with hyaluronic acid). What do you think about this serum? I noted the first ingredient is water. Is it worth getting this and layer with a resist C15 booster? For both antiaging and hydrating?
Cad, yes you can layer them.
Hai Gio, I have been absorbing all the info on your blog like I have entered skincare info heaven!! Keep up the good work. As an absolute skincare junkie this feeds my addiction better then heroine would 🤣🤣. Well now my question : As this is silicone based and let’s all the goodies in by creating some sort of barrier, how does everything you layer on top penetrate your skin? Doesn’t the silicone prevents that? I would love to use this serum as I am 35 and starting so see some serious aging going on. To prevent it from getting worse my skin could use all the help it can get. I have extremely clog prone skin (like extremely all over my face), not much real bad breakouts, but when I use BHA( to prevent the clogged pores I end up with dry patches (even after 1 time use) . It’s like I have to choose between clogged pores and numerous sebaceous filaments or dry patches, there is no in between.
Thanx again for your great website.
Kind regards from Holland
Jose, thank you for your kind words. So glad you’e enjoying the blog.
I’ve answered your question here: https://www.beautifulwithbrains.com/do-silicones-prevent-other-ingredients-from-sinking-into-the-skin/