Alastin Skincare C-RADICAL Defense Antioxidant Serum 1 Fl Oz

Most vitamin C serums make you choose between strength and tolerance. Alastin uses encapsulated sodium ascorbate rather than straight ascorbic acid, and claims 20 times more effective absorption from it. Around it sit 14 more antioxidants.

What is Alastin C-RADICAL Defense Antioxidant Serum?

Alastin C-RADICAL Defense is a vitamin C serum built on encapsulated sodium ascorbate with 14 additional antioxidants, formulated to defend skin against UV, blue light and pollution. Alastin reports up to 74% reduction in free radical effects, without publishing a duration or a participant count for that figure. It targets dullness, discoloration, uneven texture and fine lines, applied one to two pumps morning and evening.

What C-RADICAL Defense does

Free radicals from sun, pollution and blue light break down the collagen and elastin already in the skin. Three ingredients carry the defence. Sodium ascorbate is the novel form of vitamin C. Green tea helps scavenge reactive oxygen species and supports the skin's own antioxidant enzymes. Physalis angulata is an anti-inflammatory that supports the skin's ability to repair collagen.

Alastin states that the serum stimulates collagen production and conserves elastin. The wording matters: it is protecting the elastin you have rather than making more of it.

C-RADICAL Defense specifications

What Alastin's testing showed

Over eight weeks, Alastin reports a 71% reduction in uneven skin texture, a 69% reduction in redness and a 50% reduction in fine lines, with no participant count published alongside them. The serum has been named Best Vitamin C Serum by New Beauty in 2024 and 2025, and by the Shape Skin Awards in 2024.

Alastin C-RADICAL Defense reviews: what buyers report

• It does not sting. Two buyers say so independently, one describing reactive skin and one a compromised barrier. Vitamin C has a reputation for burning, and Alastin's 69% redness figure is the brand-side match for what they describe.
• Sun spots come up more than dullness. Two report facial sun spots looking lighter, ahead of the texture results the brand leads on.
• Price, then a verdict. "Expensive, but you get what you pay for" is the recurring shape. Three of five raise the cost and none regret it.

Who C-RADICAL Defense suits

Anyone who wants the antioxidant step covered and has found other vitamin C serums too harsh. It pairs naturally with A-LUMINATE Brightening Serum if uneven tone is the main concern. It is the defensive step of an Alastin Skincare routine, worn under moisturizer and sunscreen.

How to Use

• After cleansing, apply one to two pumps to the face, morning and evening.


• Let it absorb before anything goes on top.


• Follow with moisturizer, and sunscreen in the morning. An antioxidant serum works with sunscreen, never instead of it.


• Alastin's directions are for the face. The neck and eye area have their own formulas in the range.


• Avoid getting it in the eyes. If that happens, rinse thoroughly with water.

Will it sting sensitive skin?

Alastin uses encapsulated sodium ascorbate rather than straight ascorbic acid, which is the form most associated with stinging. Buyers on this page report it sitting well on reactive skin, and Alastin's own eight-week testing showed a 69% reduction in redness. Alastin describes it as suitable for most skin types. Patch test first if your skin reacts easily.

What form of vitamin C is in it?

Sodium ascorbate, in an encapsulated delivery system. Alastin's claim is that this form has remarkable stability and absorbs 20 times more effectively than it otherwise would. It sits alongside 14 further antioxidants, including ectoin, ubiquinone, carnosine, ergothioneine and green tea.

Will it help with dark spots?

Alastin reports reduced appearance of brown spots and discoloration, and buyers on this page mention facial sun spots looking lighter. For uneven tone as the primary concern rather than a secondary one, A-LUMINATE Brightening Serum is the more targeted product in the range, and the two work in the same routine.

Morning or evening, and what goes on top?

Both. One to two pumps after cleansing, morning and evening. It goes on first, other serums layer over it, then moisturizer, then sunscreen in the morning. An antioxidant serum reduces the damage that gets through; sunscreen stops light reaching the skin. They do different jobs and you want both.

KEY INGREDIENTS

• Sodium ascorbate. A novel form of vitamin C in an encapsulated delivery system, shown to have remarkable stability and to absorb 20 times more effectively.


• Green tea. Helps scavenge reactive oxygen species and helps up-regulate the skin's antioxidant enzymes.


• Physalis angulata. An anti-inflammatory that supports the skin's ability to repair collagen and helps in the fight against free radicals.

FULL INGREDIENTS

Water/Aqua/Eau, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Squalane, Sodium Ascorbate, Ubiquinone, Ectoin, Physalis Angulata Extract, Betaine, Phosphatidylcholine, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Carnosine, Centella Asiatica Extract, Olea Europaea (Olive) Leaf Extract, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract, Ergothioneine, Dunaliella Salina Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Bisabolol, Lactoferrin, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Cetyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Propanediol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Mannitol, Lecithin, Phenoxyethanol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate

Who Is This For?

Anyone who wants the antioxidant step covered and has found other vitamin C serums too harsh to keep using. It suits skin dealing with sun spots, dullness or uneven texture, and it is built for daily use rather than occasional.

Where it goes in the routine

1. Cleanse.


2. One to two pumps of C-RADICAL Defense to the face. Let it absorb.


3. Any other serum next, then moisturizer.


4. Sunscreen every morning, over the top.