Your Acne Products Are Less Likely to Work if You Skip This Skin-Care Step

Quick science lesson: Free radicals are molecules that are released from the body when you’re exposed to bad-for-you things like UV light, air pollution, and cigarette smoke. And this study shows that those free radicals cause inflammation in the skin, which can lead to breakouts.

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The good news is that free radicals can be fought with antioxidants, which neutralize their complexion-ruining effects.

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For the study, the researchers had two dermatologists supplement 17 patients’ acne regimens (which included benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid) with tocopherol, a.k.a. the antioxidant vitamin E. The participants had mild-to-moderate acne, and they applied the vitamin E topically for eight weeks. All of them had significantly reduced inflamed lesions once they added tocopherol to their routines—and they started seeing the effects as early as week two. The study authors note that the combo of acne-fighting ingredients and antioxidants resulted in substantial skin improvements.

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If your standard acne products aren’t doing their job on their own, try using an antioxidant-rich serum, like Skinceuticals C E Ferulic ($163, skinceuticals.com). This could be a game changer!