You know all about antioxidants. Wearing one every day is almost as important as applying SPF. Antioxidants protect your skin from free-radical damage by scooping up wayward electrons that would otherwise attack your cells (and result in the breakdown of collagen and elastin, which leads to wrinkles and sagging). But that’s old news
Skinceuticals only launches new products once in a blue moon, so when they brought together a team of scientists and dermatologists to present this serum to a room full of beauty editors, I knew it was going to be a doozy. It’s a combination of one-percent pure resveratrol (the highest available on the market) with baicalin (another antioxidant) and vitamin E — which, according to thorough research, boost the effectiveness of the resveratrol. And unlike most resveratrol that’s derived from grapes, this version comes from the knotweed plant, which is even more potent.
The serum has a gel-like texture, minimal scent and sinks in instantly. And, according to ultrasound tests, it can increase skin density by about 19 percent after 12 weeks. In a word: impressive.
Caudalie Vinexpert Firming Serum, $88 French company Caudalie has been formulating products with resveratrol for more than 20 years. In 2007, they patented resveratrol-oleyl, which combines resveratrol with oleic acid — an ingredient that stabilizes the grape derivative while also fighting glycation. (You can read all about the horrors of glycation here.) This serum has a beautiful, creamy texture, and it also contains peptides to firm the skin — you’ll notice a difference the very next morning.
DHC Resveratrol Lotion, $61 When Japanese skin care company DHC combined the resveratrol trend with the Asian skin care lotion trend, this product was born. It’s a light, water-like texture that you can use underneath a serum. So, if you’re already happy with your regimen but you want to add resveratrol, apply this right after cleansing
Shiseido White Lucent Total Brightening Serum, $125 If you’re looking to brighten dark spots while boosting your antioxidant defense with resveratrol, this serum combines the two. It contains a special ingredient (mysteriously called 4MSK) that slows melanin production. You can use it as a spot treatment, but for maximum resveratrol benefits slather it all over
Resvology Age Correction Wrinkle Treatment, $129 To get maximum results from resveratrol, cosmetic chemists combined it with stabilizing vitamins A, E and C and created the 4-AR Molecule. This ultra-hydrating serum also contains panthenol for moisture, glucosamine to fight hyperpigmentation and bamboo and sweet pea extract to firm the skin. It’s a fantastic does-it-all serum.
RéVive Defensif Renewal Serum, $210 If you want to use the same antioxidant serum morning and night, this one is for you. In addition to resveratrol, it contains an enzyme called Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), which naturally occurs in skin but decreases as we get older. SOD fights daytime free radicals caused by sun and pollution exposure, and this silky serum is incredibly moisturizing — it’s great for dry skin.
