Free radical damage occurs all the time on an atomic level due to the levels of oxygen in our air, sun exposure and pollution. Anti-oxidants are used to prevent this damage and that’s why they’re suggested staples of our diet. Our skin needs anti-oxidants too, this protects it from free radical damage and premature ageing. Most skin care now features anti-oxidants but it’s useful to have a concentrated layer on your face during the day to fully protect your skin. This, coupled with a sunscreen with broad-spectrum protection, is your best defence against premature aging. The earlier you start doing this, the longer your skin will look young and healthy.

For this concentrated layer we use antioxidant serums, apply this in the morning before your sunscreen – after cleansing. An added benefit of regular antioxidant usage is that your skin will look brighter and healthier so you can use it at night as well.

These are my two favourite antioxidant serums on the market at the moment:

Skinceuticals C E Ferulic
This is pricey but it offers the best antioxidant protection available. You just drop a few drops into your palm and masage it into your skin, wait 5 minutes and then apply your sunscreen. It also comes in a cool medicinal dropper bottle which keeps the vitamins active. Remember to keep active antioxidants like this one out of sunlight or they will oxidise and become useless.

Paula’s Choice Antioxiant Concentrate.

A cheaper alternative but still packed full of antioxidants. The opaque tube keeps the ingredients fresh. An added benefit of this is that it makes an excellent mattifier due to its silicone base. This means that it will keep your skin matte all day, especially useful if you have oily or combination skin.

Whichever antioxidant serum you decide to buy, make sure it’s in a very dark or opaque container so that the ingredients are kept active and viable. Don’t use anything that comes in a glass jar. As long as you have an antioxidant serum on your face with sunblock, you’re taking the best possible steps to maintain the condition of your skin. THIS is anti-aging.