Most vitamin C serums make you choose between strength and tolerance. Alastin uses encapsulated sodium ascorbate rather than straight ascorbic acid, and claims 20 times more effective absorption from it. Around it sit 14 more antioxidants.
What is Alastin C-RADICAL Defense Antioxidant Serum?
Alastin C-RADICAL Defense is a vitamin C serum built on encapsulated sodium ascorbate with 14 additional antioxidants, formulated to defend skin against UV, blue light and pollution. Alastin reports up to 74% reduction in free radical effects. It targets dullness, discoloration, uneven texture and fine lines, applied one to two pumps morning and evening.
What C-RADICAL Defense does
Free radicals from sun, pollution and blue light break down the collagen and elastin already in the skin. Three ingredients carry the defence. Sodium ascorbate is the novel form of vitamin C. Green tea helps scavenge reactive oxygen species and supports the skin's own antioxidant enzymes. Physalis angulata is an anti-inflammatory that supports the skin's ability to repair collagen.
Alastin states that the serum stimulates collagen production and conserves elastin. The wording matters: it is protecting the elastin you have rather than making more of it.
C-RADICAL Defense specifications
| Product type |
Vitamin C antioxidant serum |
| Form of vitamin C |
Sodium ascorbate, encapsulated |
| Other antioxidants |
14, including ectoin, ubiquinone, carnosine, ergothioneine, green tea, pomegranate, ginger root |
| Defends against |
UV, blue light, pollution |
| Targets |
Dullness, discoloration, uneven texture, fine lines, redness |
| Skin types |
Most skin types, per Alastin |
| Scent |
Scent-free |
| Size |
1 Oz (29.6 mL) |
| When to use |
Morning and evening, to the face |
What Alastin's testing showed
Over eight weeks, Alastin reports a 71% reduction in uneven skin texture, a 69% reduction in redness and a 50% reduction in fine lines, with no participant count published alongside them. The serum has been named Best Vitamin C Serum by New Beauty in 2024 and 2025, and by the Shape Skin Awards in 2024.
Alastin C-RADICAL Defense reviews: what buyers report
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It does not sting. Two buyers say so independently, one describing reactive skin and one a compromised barrier. Vitamin C has a reputation for burning, and Alastin's 69% redness figure is the brand-side match for what they describe.
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Sun spots come up more than dullness. Two report facial sun spots looking lighter, ahead of the texture results the brand leads on.
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Price, then a verdict. "Expensive, but you get what you pay for" is the recurring shape. Three of five raise the cost and none regret it.
Who C-RADICAL Defense suits
Anyone who wants the antioxidant step covered and has found other vitamin C serums too harsh. It pairs naturally with A-LUMINATE Brightening Serum if uneven tone is the main concern. It is the defensive step of an Alastin Skincare routine, worn under moisturizer and sunscreen.
