Paula's Choice Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum for dry skin
Retinol
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Tocopherol
Bisabolol
AstaxanthinAverage
- SuperiorDry Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
Works for dry skin; other moisturizers fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry skin: flakiness, tightness, dehydration, fine lines, and wrinkles. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- This serum offers moderate benefits for your dry skin, with olive oil and vitamin E providing essential hydration and antioxidant protection to support skin health.
- The inclusion of retinol and tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate aims to smooth texture and minimize fine lines, though their impact may be limited for significant anti-aging concerns.
- The product is safe for your dry skin, as it contains no harsh ingredients and includes soothing components like Bisabolol and Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract.
How to apply
- Could be used as part of your AM or PM routine. Start using it 3 times a week and work your way up to daily use.
- Apply your moisturizer after your toner and before your sunscreen in the morning. At night, use it as the final step after your serum.
- Gently press a small amount of the moisturizer into your skin. Avoid rubbing to keep your dry skin happy.
- Apply the moisturizer on slightly damp skin to help lock in extra hydration. This is great for soothing dry and flaky areas .
- Avoid the sensitive eye area and do a patch test before your first use .
People Say
★3.8Overall rating based on 100+ reviewsBased on limited data, this viscous, silicone-based serum is highly praised by users with dry or mature skin for its deep hydration and ability to create a smooth, protective barrier. Many report brighter, calmer skin and improved texture. Users with combination or oily skin frequently find the finish too heavy or greasy.
Highlights
Deep hydration protection Often Mentioned
- “healed my raw chapped skin”
- “winter staple for dry climate”
- “makes skin feel supple and protected”
- “keeps hydration locked in”
Greasy or shiny finish Often Mentioned
- “left a shiny film”
- “too greasy for day use”
- “looked like a glazed donut”
- “oil sat on top of skin”
Improves texture tone Sometimes Noted
- “skin looks brighter”
- “smoothed out fine lines”
- “gives a nice healthy glow”
- “texture is much softer”
Silky application Sometimes Noted
- “glides on like silk”
- “great base for makeup”
- “velvety finish”
- “a little goes a long way”
Soothing sensitive skin Sometimes Noted
- “no stinging or irritation”
- “soothing on sensitive areas”
- “gentle vitamin C formula”
Slow absorption Sometimes Noted
- “takes forever to absorb”
- “felt tacky for hours”
- “just sits on the surface”
- “had to blot it off”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “caused small red bumps”
- “clogged my pores”
- “broke me out on the chin”
- “too heavy for acne-prone skin”
Packaging issues Rarely Noted
- “can't see how much is left”
- “pump stopped working”
- “hard to get the last bit out”
Sources: lovi.care, paulaschoice.com, dermstore.com, makeupalley.com, reddit.com, wizaz.pl, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum work for dry skin?
This serum works moderately well for dry skin, providing essential hydration and antioxidant protection through olive oil and vitamin E, while retinol and vitamin C help smooth texture. To fit dry skin better, a product of this type needs to be exceptionally suited for dry skin, offering no risk of irritation while delivering deep hydration and nourishment through ingredients like sodium hyaluronate and niacinamide.
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for dry skin?
This serum works for your dry skin because olive oil and vitamin E provide essential hydration and antioxidant protection. To be a better fit for dry skin, a product of this type needs richer moisturizing agents and nourishing extracts like sodium hyaluronate and niacinamide that deliver deep hydration and strong skin barrier support.
What does Retinol do for dry skin?
Retinol is a poor fit for dry skin because it frequently causes scaling, stinging, and dryness. To care for dry skin properly, a product needs gentle, hydrating ingredients like ceramides, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture and keep the skin barrier calm and smooth.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023
What does Vitamin C do for dry skin?
Vitamin C helps keep dry skin hydrated and makes it feel soft and smooth. Daily use may also improve overall skin texture and brightness over time.
Photochemistry and Photobiology, 2021Skin Research and Technology, 2008
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for dry skin?
This treatment serum goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing. Putting it in the evening keeps things simple and provides extra safety around sun exposure.
Can I use this serum with niacinamide, and in what order?
Yes, you can use this serum with niacinamide by applying niacinamide first and then this serum once it absorbs. This combination is generally safe and helps calm dry skin while smoothing texture, though a product with richer oils and ceramides may fit dry skin better.
How often should I use this serum?
Apply this serum in the evening to keep your dry skin safe and simple around sun exposure. Dry skin needs a moisturizing treatment that combines rich, hydrating oils with soothing ingredients to deeply nourish and soften dry patches.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry skin?
This serum is unlikely to cause breakouts for dry skin, as it contains no harsh ingredients and is generally safe for daily use. However, because it can leave a greasy or shiny finish, a product of this type for dry skin needs rich, nourishing oils and barrier-supporting ingredients that absorb comfortably without feeling heavy.
Can I use this serum around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this serum around the eyes and on your body, though dry skin often needs richer hydration and heavier barrier-protecting ingredients in those areas. It is generally safe to apply here, but dry skin may need richer moisturizers or heavier oils to stay fully comfortable and soft.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no fragrance and contains drying alcohol (sd alcohol 40 alcohol denat).
What the research says
A topical serum containing vitamin C, vitamin E, and raspberry leaf cell culture extract improved skin color, elasticity, radiance, smoothness, scaliness, and wrinkles compared to the untreated contralateral side in fifty female volunteers.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Topical 0.4% retinol significantly increased epidermal thickness, dermal vascularity, and extracellular matrix production by stimulating keratinocyte proliferation, endothelial cell proliferation, and fibroblast activation in naturally aged human skin compared to vehicle.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2017Topical bakuchiol 0.5% applied twice daily compared with retinol 0.5% applied daily significantly decreased wrinkle surface area and hyperpigmentation with no statistical difference between the compounds in 44 patients over 12 weeks, while retinol users reported more facial skin scaling and stinging.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019Silicone particles encapsulating retinol increased its half-life by 9-fold and yielded 12-23% lower skin irritation in human subjects compared to Microsponge particles while maintaining biological activity.
Journal of Controlled Release, 2018Topical stabilized retinol treatment induced HAS gene expression and increased hyaluronic acid production in human skin in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo compared to vehicle.
Archives of Dermatological Research, 2017Topical application of all-trans-retinol induced epidermal thickening and increased retinoid binding protein expression similar to all-trans-retinoic acid in normal human skin, but without causing significant erythema or measurable retinoic acid levels.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 1995Topical application of 5% vitamin C cream significantly improved global clinical scores, increased skin microrelief density, and induced elastic tissue repair in photoaged skin compared to excipient control in healthy female volunteers.
Experimental Dermatology, 2003Ascorbic acid 2-glucoside gel significantly reduced gingival melanin pigmentation after 4 weeks compared to placebo in 73 subjects with symmetric pigmentation.
Journal of Periodontology, 2009Topical application of VC-IP cream twice daily for 8 weeks reduces periorbital wrinkles in female subjects compared to a placebo cream.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022Topical application of an antioxidant serum containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented particulate matter-induced degradation of extracellular matrix components, inflammation, and oxidative stress in the skin of 15 female volunteers compared to untreated controls.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Dermatological products containing d-alpha tocopheryl acetate showed non-comedogenic potential with less than a 50% increase in microcomedones in 12 healthy male subjects compared to octyl palmitate.
Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 2021Topical application of an antioxidant mix containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented PM and UV-induced skin barrier perturbation, lipid peroxidation, inflammatory markers, MMP9 activation, and Type I collagen loss in 15 healthy females compared to untreated exposed skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Application of an alpha-bisabolol-containing cream produced a significant skin-lightening effect in pigmented skin compared to a vehicle control in the majority of female subjects after 8 weeks.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2010The combination of allantoin, bisabolol, D-panthenol and dipotassium glycyrrhizinate reduces UVB-induced PGE2, inflammatory cytokines, and mitochondrial superoxide in human epidermal keratinocytes.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024Oral astaxanthin supplementation significantly restored moisture content and improved elasticity but did not significantly decrease wrinkle depth compared to placebo in humans.
Nutrients, 2021Combining oral and topical astaxanthin in 30 healthy females improved skin wrinkles, age spots, elasticity, texture, and moisture, while 6 mg daily oral supplementation in 36 healthy males improved crow's feet wrinkles, elasticity, and transepidermal water loss.
Acta Biochimica Polonica, 2012Twice-daily application of a novel topical antioxidant formulation safe, well-tolerated, and effective in improving overall skin quality, fine lines, wrinkles, radiance, and hyperpigmentation in 32 healthy female subjects over 12 weeks.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023
Ingredients
Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Olea Europaea Oil Fruit Olive Oil Fruit, Tocopherol, Retinol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Bisabolol, Tocotrienols, Adenosine, Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane, Tetrahydrodemethoxydiferuloylmethane, Tetrahydrobisdemethoxydiferuloylmethane, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil Grape Seed Oil, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract Matricaria Flower Extract, Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract, Stearyl Dimethicone, Astaxanthin, Glycine Soja Oil Soybean Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract Grape Seed Extract, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Cranberry Seed Oil, Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil Raspberry Seed Oil, Vaccinium Myrtillus Seed Oil, Palm Oil, Sd Alcohol 40 Alcohol Denat
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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