Alastin C-RADICAL Defense Antioxidant Serum

Most Vitamin C serums are unstable, oxidise quickly and sit on the skin's surface where they can cause irritation before they have a chance to work. Alastin C-RADICAL Defense solves both problems. It uses an encapsulated, stabilised form of L-Ascorbic Acid that remains active and potent until it reaches the deeper layers of the skin, where it is then released at the site of action. The result is a Vitamin C serum that actually delivers what most Vitamin C serums only promise.

Combined with 13 additional antioxidants including Ferulic Acid, Resveratrol, Tocopherol and multiple botanical protectants, C-RADICAL Defense provides the most comprehensive environmental defence in the Alastin range. Independent testing confirms it reduces free radicals in the skin by up to 74%, a figure that stands comparison with any antioxidant serum on the professional skincare market. Multiple award-winner. Fragrance-free. Suitable for all skin types.

Who Is It For?

• Anyone wanting the most effective daily antioxidant protection available in a morning serum
• Photodamaged skin with dark spots, uneven tone and accumulated sun damage
• Those wanting to brighten and even skin tone without irritating actives
• Patients on GLP-1 medications wanting daily antioxidant protection during periods of skin vulnerability
• Pre-procedure patients wanting to optimise skin quality before treatments
• Sensitive skin that has not tolerated standard Vitamin C serums in the past
• Those wanting to pair an antioxidant serum with Alastin Restorative Skin Complex for a comprehensive morning protocol

How Does It Work?

C-RADICAL Defense works through two mechanisms. First, the encapsulated Vitamin C is delivered past the skin's surface barrier in its stable, active form and released at deeper skin layers where it neutralises free radicals, inhibits melanin synthesis to reduce dark spots, and supports collagen synthesis alongside the peptide actives. Second, the 13 additional antioxidants, each targeting different free radical species and environmental aggressors, provide layered protection that a single antioxidant serum cannot achieve. The encapsulation technology also significantly reduces the irritation that standard L-Ascorbic Acid causes, making this serum appropriate for sensitive and reactive skin types that cannot tolerate most Vitamin C formulas.

Key Ingredients

• Encapsulated L-Ascorbic Acid (stabilised Vitamin C): Protected in a lipid encapsulation system that prevents oxidation, maintains stability throughout the product's lifecycle, and delivers active Vitamin C to deeper skin layers where it neutralises free radicals, supports collagen synthesis and inhibits melanin production to reduce dark spots and uneven tone.
• Ferulic Acid: A plant-derived antioxidant that significantly enhances and extends the potency of Vitamin C and Vitamin E when combined, demonstrated in published dermatological research. Also provides independent photoprotective benefits.
• Resveratrol: A polyphenol antioxidant with anti-inflammatory and anti-ageing properties, providing protection against UV-induced and environmental oxidative damage.
• Tocopherol (Vitamin E): Works synergistically with Vitamin C and Ferulic Acid to provide enhanced and sustained antioxidant protection.
• Niacinamide: Reduces pigmentation transfer, strengthens the barrier, calms redness and supports overall skin clarity alongside the antioxidant complex.
• Additional botanical antioxidant complex (9 further actives): Green Tea, Grape Seed, Turmeric and other botanical antioxidants that target the full spectrum of environmental free radical species for comprehensive daily defence.

Benefits

• Reduces free radicals in the skin by up to 74% as confirmed by independent testing
• Brightens dark spots, sun damage and uneven skin tone
• Supports collagen synthesis alongside daily antioxidant protection
• Suitable for sensitive skin that cannot tolerate standard Vitamin C serums
• Provides stable, potent Vitamin C that does not oxidise in the bottle
• Comprehensive 14-antioxidant protection against UV, pollution and environmental stress
• Fragrance-free and suitable for all skin types
• Multiple award-winner

What Results Can You Expect?

Immediately: skin feels smoother and protected after application. At 2 weeks: improved radiance and early brightening with consistent morning use. At 6 weeks: visible reduction in dark spots and more even overall skin tone. At 3 months: significant and sustained improvement in skin brightness, clarity and environmental resilience with continued daily use.

How We Use It at Face for Soul

As a pharmacist prescriber specialising in skin health, C-RADICAL Defense is my first recommendation when a patient asks for a morning antioxidant serum. The encapsulation technology makes it genuinely different from standard Vitamin C serums and the independent data on free radical reduction is what gives me confidence recommending it across all skin types, including patients whose sensitive skin has previously rejected Vitamin C. I recommend it as the morning first step after cleansing, before Alastin Restorative Skin Complex and moisturiser, and it is the antioxidant serum I include in pre-procedure preparation protocols for patients at the clinic.

How to Use

Apply 1-2 pumps to clean, dry skin each morning before other serums. Allow to absorb, then apply Alastin Restorative Skin Complex, moisturiser and SPF. Pair with: Alastin Restorative Skin Complex for structural renewal alongside antioxidant protection, Alastin Ultra Nourishing Moisturizer, and SPF daily. No products to specifically avoid, but apply before any other serums to ensure maximum skin contact and absorption.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it worth the money?
C-RADICAL Defense is supported by independent testing confirming a 74% reduction in skin free radicals. No standard Vitamin C serum at any price produces this level of protection. The encapsulation technology also means the Vitamin C actually reaches deeper skin layers rather than sitting on the surface. For a daily antioxidant serum, this is exceptional value relative to what it actually delivers.

Can I use it with tretinoin?
Yes. Apply C-RADICAL Defense in the morning. Use tretinoin in the evening. The two are fully compatible used in this way and the antioxidant protection in the morning complements the cellular renewal from tretinoin in the evening.

Is it pregnancy safe?
C-RADICAL Defense does not contain retinoids or hydroquinone. We always recommend consulting your midwife or obstetrician before starting new skincare during pregnancy.

Is it suitable for rosacea-prone skin?
Yes. The encapsulation technology reduces the irritation that standard L-Ascorbic Acid causes. C-RADICAL Defense is one of the most rosacea-compatible Vitamin C serums available. It is fragrance-free and formulated without common rosacea triggers.

Can I use it after microneedling?
Pause Vitamin C for 5 to 7 days following microneedling until the skin barrier has sufficiently recovered. Reintroduce C-RADICAL Defense once your clinician confirms actives can be resumed. The antioxidant protection it provides in the maintenance phase is excellent for preserving and extending microneedling results.

Can I combine it with other antioxidants?
Yes. C-RADICAL Defense is designed to be the standalone morning antioxidant step given its 14-antioxidant formula. It does not need to be layered with additional vitamin C serums. For patients also using the Alastin Restorative Skin Complex, apply C-RADICAL Defense first, then the Complex.

Does it clog pores?
No. C-RADICAL Defense is non-comedogenic and suitable for all skin types including oily and acne-prone skin.

How long will one bottle last?
A 30ml bottle used daily on the face and neck typically lasts 8 to 10 weeks.

Why is encapsulated Vitamin C better?
Standard L-Ascorbic Acid is highly unstable. It oxidises rapidly on exposure to air and light, loses potency quickly in the bottle, and can cause irritation at the concentrations needed to be effective. Encapsulation protects the Vitamin C molecule, maintains its potency throughout the product's lifecycle, reduces irritation risk and delivers active Vitamin C to deeper skin layers than surface application can achieve.

Is it vegan?
Yes. Alastin C-RADICAL Defense is formulated without animal-derived ingredients.

Is it cruelty-free?
Yes. Alastin does not test on animals.

Clinical Insight

As a pharmacist prescriber specialising in skin health, C-RADICAL Defense is the antioxidant serum I recommend with the greatest confidence because it solves the two problems that make most Vitamin C serums disappointing: stability and delivery. The independent testing data on free radical reduction is published, not marketing copy. For patients who have given up on Vitamin C serums because of irritation or poor results, this is the formula that consistently changes their experience.

Research and Evidence

Independent testing of C-RADICAL Defense confirmed a reduction in skin free radicals of up to 74% with daily morning use. The Ferulic Acid and Vitamin E combination alongside Vitamin C is supported by published dermatological research confirming synergistic antioxidant enhancement. The encapsulation technology is based on established pharmaceutical delivery science that has been applied to topical skincare to address the known stability and penetration limitations of ascorbic acid.

How Does It Compare?

C-RADICAL Defense vs standard L-Ascorbic Acid serum: Standard formulas are unstable, oxidise quickly and can irritate sensitive skin at effective concentrations. C-RADICAL Defense uses encapsulated, stabilised Vitamin C that remains active, penetrates deeper and causes significantly less irritation. The free radical reduction data confirms the performance difference.

C-RADICAL Defense vs Alastin Restorative Skin Complex: C-RADICAL provides morning antioxidant protection and brightening. The Complex provides structural collagen and elastin renewal. They are designed to be used together, not as alternatives.

C-RADICAL Defense vs skinbetter science Alto Defense Serum: Alto Defense provides 19 antioxidants including a high-concentration stabilised Vitamin C. C-RADICAL Defense provides encapsulated Vitamin C with 13 additional antioxidants and published free radical reduction data. Both are excellent morning antioxidant serums. The choice between them depends on patient preference and overall routine composition.

Complete Your Routine

Morning: gentle cleanser, Alastin C-RADICAL Defense Antioxidant Serum, Alastin Restorative Skin Complex, Alastin Ultra Nourishing Moisturizer, SPF 30 or higher. Evening: gentle cleanser, Alastin Restorative Skin Complex, Alastin Ultra Nourishing Moisturizer. For the eye area, add Alastin Restorative Eye Treatment morning and evening after serum and before moisturiser.

Why Buy From Face for Soul?

At Face for Soul, every product we stock is used in clinical practice or recommended to our patients on the basis of clinical evidence. C-RADICAL Defense is stocked because the independent free radical reduction data and the encapsulation technology make it the most compelling daily antioxidant serum we have evaluated. We provide personalised advice before you purchase. Contact us if you are unsure whether this is the right morning serum for your specific routine and concerns.