Antioxidant complex

An antioxidant complex is a blend of two or more antioxidant ingredients combined in one formula rather than relying on a single molecule. Free radicals come from many sources — UV light, pollution and normal metabolism — and different antioxidants act on different reactive species, so formulators often pair them.

The classic example is vitamin C with vitamin E and ferulic acid, a combination used widely because the ingredients complement one another and can help the formula stay more stable. Other blends draw on niacinamide, green tea polyphenols, resveratrol or vitamin E derivatives. The value of a complex lies in how the ingredients are stabilised, packaged and dosed, not in the number of names on the label.

Antioxidants are usually applied in the morning as a complement to sun protection — they do not replace sunscreen. If your skin is reactive, patch test first: vitamin C in particular can sting or irritate. For persistent pigmentation or inflammation, speak to a dermatologist.