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C-Radical Defense Antioxidant Serum
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Nothing in this product works against any of your four letters, so it is safe for your skin type.
Not recommended for your sensitivity
The Alastin C-Radical Defense Antioxidant Serum is one of the best vitamin C serums, offering brightening, anti-aging, and protective benefits.
- Boosts collagen and preserves elastin
- Brightens skin
- Protects skin
Why Dr. Baumann carries this
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Approved for Baumann Skin Types
- 1
- 3
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- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 11
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- 13
- 15
- 16
Approved for 13 of the 16 Baumann Skin Types, and not for the Stinging and Allergic sensitive subtypes. Dr. Baumann reviews every product against all 16 types before it goes on the site.
Paraben Free
Oxybenzone Free
Gluten Free
Noncomedogenic
Dimethicone Free
Dye Free
Sulfate Free
Fragrance Free
Phthalate Free
Formaldehyde Free and FRA Free
What it is and what it does
The Alastin C-Radical Defense Antioxidant Serum is a multi-functional product that brightens, soothes, hydrates, and offers anti-aging and protective effects. Formulated with sodium ascorbate, a gentle form of vitamin C, this serum provides powerful antioxidant protection without the typical stinging of low-pH formulas. With a pH of 5.0, it’s gentle on sensitive skin, making it ideal for those prone to stinging or rosacea, while still delivering effective anti-aging benefits.
It features 15 antioxidants, including green tea extract and physalis angulata, which protect against environmental damage from UV rays, blue light, and pollution. Coenzyme Q10 further enhances the serum’s benefits by generating cellular energy, promoting youthful skin regeneration. For those dealing with pigmentation, the serum’s antioxidants—including sodium ascorbate and green tea—help inhibit tyrosinase, the enzyme responsible for melanin production, to reduce dark spots and even skin tone.
Perfect for wrinkle-prone skin and those with pigmented dark spots, this serum can be applied 1-2 times daily on the face, neck, and décolleté. With hydrating ingredients like squalane and the calming properties of bisabolol, it deeply moisturizes, reduces redness, and brightens the complexion while smoothing fine lines.
Free of parabens, fragrance, and formaldehyde, this serum provides a clean, effective skincare solution for daily use.
Who it is for
- Boosts collagen and preserves elastin
- Brightens skin
- Protects skin
- Does not sting
- Has 15 different antioxidants
Approved for 13 of the 16 Baumann Skin Types, and not for the Stinging and Allergic sensitive subtypes.
Key ingredients
Dermatologist-recommended antioxidant for antiaging because it increases collagen and prevents melanin production. Protects skin from sun exposure and lightens dark spots.
Carnosine, also known by its trade name Dragosine®, is a dipeptide composed of β-alanine and L-histidine. It offers antioxidant and anti-glycation effects, making it a valuable ingredient in anti-aging formulations. Carnosine acts as a tyrosinase inhibitor, helping to reduce hyperpigmentation by limiting melanin production through a mechanism that is not yet understood. Carnosine has photoprotective properties, modulating gene expression related to skin repair, inflammation, and stress response. It may counteract the negative effects of sun exposure by reducing inflammation, remodeling the extracellular matrix, and enhancing skin resilience.
Gives cells energy for repair and is a strong antioxidant. Helps renew mitochondria.
Lactoferrin
Lactoferrin is known for its iron-binding properties, lactoferrin enhances macrophage function, speeding up the breakdown of blood byproducts. It also promotes tissue repair and supports hyaluronic acid production for better hydration and skin recovery.
Dunaliella Salina Extract
Dunaliella Salina Extract, derived from a type of microalgae, is a humectant and antioxidant rich in carotenoids, especially beta-carotene. It helps protect the skin from oxidative stress and environmental damage. It also has humectant hydrating properties, supporting moisture retention, making skin feel plump and firm. Its beta-carotene content and ability to inhibit tyrosinase can help brighten the complexion, making it a popular ingredient in anti-aging and brightening skincare formulations. This ingredient contains phytoene and phytofluene, colorless carotenoids that act as powerful antioxidants.
Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract), also known as Snow Mushroom Extract, is a natural ingredient derived from an edible mushroom. It is high in polysaccharides and renowned for its exceptional ability to enhance skin hydration, holding up to 500 times its weight in water, similar to hyaluronic acid. This extract supports the skin’s natural hyaluronic acid production, improving moisture retention and strengthening the skin barrier, making it valuable for barrier repair. Additionally, it has antioxidant properties that protect the skin from free radical damage and environmental stress and mild anti-inflammatory effects, soothing irritated or sensitive skin.
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Green tea extract. Strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, sun protective.
A component of chamomile that is soothing, moisturizing, and humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Centella Asiatica Extract, from the Gotu Kola plant, stimulates collagen production and fibroblast activity, reducing wrinkles and improving skin firmness. Rich in antioxidants, it protects against free radical damage, while its anti-inflammatory properties soothe irritated skin. Compounds in Centella, such as madecassoside, have been shown to improve the skin's water retention by enhancing its natural lipid barrier, aiding hydration.
Ergothioneine, a naturally occurring antioxidant found in mushrooms and some plants, provides potent protective effects in skincare. It helps neutralize free radicals, reducing oxidative stress and preventing cellular damage. Ergothioneine also supports mitochondrial function, promoting healthy skin cell energy and repair. Its anti-inflammatory properties soothe the skin, and it can improve overall skin texture, helping to slow signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles.
Physalis Angulata Extract
Physalis Angulata Extract has potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It contains withanolides, compounds that help calm irritated skin and reduce inflammation. This is why Physalis Angulata Extract is often used for soothing sensitive or reactive skin. Its antioxidant effects help protect skin from ultraviolet light and pollution. It may help improve skin texture and reduce redness.
Full ingredient list
Product type and skin type data
| Brand | Alastin |
|---|---|
| Product type | Facial Moisturizer |
| Size | 1 oz. |
| Item number | ALA-372 |
| Approved Baumann Skin Types | ORPW, ORPT, ORNW, DRNW, DRPT, DRPW, DSPT, DSPW, DSNW, OSPT, OSNT, OSPW, OSNW |
| Recommended for these sensitivities | Acne, Redness |
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Questions about this product
Answered by Dr. Leslie Baumann, MD, FAAD · Miami, FL · 200+ partner practices
This serum stands out with its 15 different antioxidants,
which work synergistically to reduce free radical damage by up to 74%. Multiple
antioxidants, like vitamin C, Coenzyme Q10, and green tea, provide better
protection together, supporting collagen and elastin preservation for firmer,
youthful skin. Also, it has a higher pH than many Vitamin C serums, so it does not
sting. It is more hydrating than most Vitamin C serums. It is only sold by
doctors and is considered one of the best medical grade physician dispensed
Vitamin C serums.
Alastin C-Radical Serum is ideal for dry, sensitive, and
normal skin types due to its soothing ingredients like squalane, betaine, and
centella asiatica. It may feel too heavy for very oily skin but works well for
slightly oily and “combination skin”. Oily skin types can use this without a moisturizer which solves the problem of it
feeling heavy on oily skin.
Sodium ascorbate acts as a tyrosinase inhibitor, reducing
melanin production to brighten skin. Carnosine blocks melanin through a
different mechanism, and lactoferrin helps reduce hemosiderin, an iron-based
pigment. Together, they prevent oxidation of melanin and reduce pigmentation.
The soothing effects help prevent post inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
No, this serum is not formulated to exfoliate. Unlike other
vitamin C serums with a low pH, Alastin's balanced pH ensures it provides
antioxidant benefits without exfoliating the skin. This makes it more gentle to
use when beginning a retinoid like retinol or tretinoin.
While this serum is designed to be gentle, ingredients like
cetyl alcohol and cetyl palmitate may clog pores, making it less ideal for
acne-prone or oily skin.
No, Alastin C-Radical Defense contains oils and
phenoxyethanol, which can irritate freshly microneedled skin. It's best to wait
until the skin has healed before applying.
Alastin uses sodium ascorbate, a more stable and less
irritating form of vitamin C. This form works effectively at a neutral pH,
minimizing irritation while providing strong antioxidant protection, making it
suitable for sensitive skin.
Yes, customer reviews praise its lightweight, non-tacky
texture that absorbs easily without leaving residue, making it a breeze to
incorporate into daily routines. Unless you
have dry skin, this can be used alone without a moisturizer under a sunscreen.
If you're allergic to ragweed or plants in the daisy family,
be cautious as this serum contains bisabolol (from chamomile) and green tea
extract. It also has ingredients like phenoxyethanol, caprylyl glycol, and
sodium benzoate, that are not allergens but which may irritate hypersensitive
skin.
Most users with sensitive skin find Alastin C-Radical
Defense non-irritating due to its higher pH. However, it does contain some
potentially irritating ingredients like phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Despite this, many users report it as less irritating than other vitamin C
serums.
Yes, it contains hydrating humectant ingredients like
Tremella Fuciformis (snow mushroom), which acts like hyaluronic acid,
attracting moisture to instantly plump fine lines and improve skin texture.
Yes, though TriHex peptides are not included due to
interactions with vitamin C, it has 2 peptides; carnosine and lactoferrin in
the formula. Carnosine helps prevent glycation and reduce pigmentation while
lactoferrin promotes healing, removes hemosiderin pigment, and reduces
oxidative damage.
Alongside sodium ascorbate, this serum features 14 other
antioxidants like Coenzyme Q10, green tea extract, physalis angulata, and
pomegranate extract, providing comprehensive protection against free radicals
and environmental stress. There are the 15 antioxidants in Alastin C-Radical
Antioxidant Serum.
Yes, but be cautious. If irritation occurs, stop using both
products and any exfoliants for a few days. Use a soothing moisturizer or oil
like argan oil until redness, peeling and sensitivity subside.
Can I combine this with a hyaluronic acid serum?
Yes, though it's hydrating on its own, pairing it with a
hyaluronic acid serum like Alastin's Immerse Serum can provide additional
moisture for dry or dehydrated skin. Also, HA serums help other ingredients
absorb better and may boost the potency of this antiaging serum.
Using the serum twice daily, one pump for the face and one
for the neck, should make a bottle last about a month. If the bottle lasts 3 months- you are not using it often enough.
For best results, use the serum within 3 months of opening.
Storing it in the fridge can extend its shelf life.
The best place to buy is from Skin Type Solutions (STS), trusted
by over 200 doctors to store and mail medical grade skin care products. Products
are stored in climate-controlled conditions and have rapid turnover to ensure
freshness. As an authorized Alastin retailer, STS offers loyalty points,
exclusive discounts, sales, gift cards and promotions as allowed by Alastin Skincare
corporate rules. But from STS so you know you are getting authentic products and
not counterfeit ones which are rampant on EBay and Amazon.
Reviews
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