NeoStrata Antioxidant Defense Serum

Describe the brand in three words.

Clinical. Professional. American.

Official product description.

'This concentrated SynerG 8.0 formula containing 8 powerful multi-action antioxidants is designed to combat oxidative damage and protect the skin from premature aging. Patented Bionic and Polyhydroxy Acids trap oxidation promoting metals like iron and help prevent sun-induced cellular damage. The potent combination of Citric Acid and Lilac, Green Tea and Chardonnay Grape Seed Extracts works together to neutralize five different types of free radicals and helps preserve healthy DNA, lipids and cellular membranes. In addition, this super potent source of EGCG Green Tea Extract protects against inflammatory mediators in the skin.'

Who is it for?

Anyone worried about sun damage or the effects of it, or basically any signs of ageing. If you're out and about on a daily basis, i.e. on your way to and from work, exercising outdoors, basically all of us, unless you never leave your house, and even then, in an ideal world, you still need a version of an antioxidant.

What’s in it?

Aqua (Water), Butylene Glycol, Alcohol Denat., Maltobionic Acid, Gluconolactone, Polysorbate 80, Dimethicone PEG-7 Phosphate, Citric Acid, Tocopheryl (Vitamin E) Acetate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (Vitamin C Ester), Camellia Sinensis (Chinese Tea) Leaf Extract, Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG), Syringa Vulgaris (Lilac) Leaf Cell Culture Extract, Syringa Vulgaris (Lilac) Extract, Coffea Arabica (Coffee) Seed Extract, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Cucumis Melo Cantalupensis (Cantaloupe) Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Jasminum Officinale (Jasmine) Flower/ Leaf Extract, Rose Extract, Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Extract, Abies Balsamea (Balsam Canada) Extract, Eugenia Caryophyllus (Clove) Flower Extract, Maltodextrin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propylene Glycol, Ammonium Hydroxide, Hydroxyethylcelullose, Sodium Bisulfite, Amyl Cinnamal, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Caramel, CI 14700 (Red 4), CI 19140 (Yellow 5).

What's not in it?

parabens, mineral oil

Possibly acne/allergy/troubling for some ingredients?

alcohol, silicone

Suitable for pregnancy?

Yes

Natural? Organic? Man made? Vegan?

Man made

Tested on animals in home country/EU/sold in territories that require testing?

No/No/Yes

How does it smell?

N/A

How do you use it?

Apply either alone, directly under moisturiser, or under SPF

Can it be taken around the eyes?

Yes

Best for winter or summer?
Year-round

How long did I test it for?

I've had it for about 6 months. I'm onto my second bottle.

How much is it? /Size/Approximate cost per usage?

£68.00 for 1oz or approx 28.4 mls

Works well with?

Any good moisturiser and SPF, particularly good when used in the morning opposite NeoStrata Skin Active Firming Collagen Booster in the evenings.

What’s the website like?

Great information but only transactional if you are a professional with an account in the UK. Transactional in the USA.

How’s the distribution? Available freely or limited?

Limited. That is to say it is only available in the professional arena, not department stores and the usual online retailers.

What’s good about it?

NeoStrata is a great clinical brand with a lot of published studies* to back up their products and chosen ingredients. I've been leaning more and more towards pro brands in the last year simply because the amount of claims vs actual results in some products is disheartening to say the least. I use NeoStrata (among others) in treatments and recommend this serum to many clients. The antioxidant serum is light, absorbs well, a little goes a long way and it lasts a long time. Results-wise, it's always difficult to ascertain the effects of antioxidant serums, but in general, what you are looking for is protection from environmental damage, the prevention of further sun damage, the slowing down of the signs of worsening pigmentation, evening of skin tone and accelerating the brightness of the skin. So far, this has done all of those for me. As far as I can tell....

What’s not so good about it?

It does contain a high amount of alcohol, but the brand will say it stabilises the various forms of polyhydroxy acids, maltobionic acid and gluconolactone, which directly follow them on the inci.

Would I purchase/repurchase?

Yes

Do you need it?

Yes. It's a good antioxidant serum and does what it says on the bottle

NeoStrata Antioxidant Defense Serum is £68.00 from selected NeoStrata stockists in the UK - more info here - and $78.00 and available from NeoStrata.com in the USA. For all other countries search here: NeoStrata outside the USA (As with all brands, but especially clinical ones, do not buy from third party resellers. Brands like this do not sell to Amazon, Ebay or Strawberry.net. If they are not listed on either of these websites, they are not official stockists. Steer clear.) *E.G. - maltobionic acid study