Skincare is getting weirdly complicated. Honestly, walk into any Sephora or browse Deciem’s website, and you’re met with a wall of chemical names that sound more like rocket fuel than face lotion. You’ve probably seen the buzz around The Ordinary Multi-Antioxidant Radiance Serum. It’s the brand's attempt at a "greatest hits" compilation for your face. Instead of buying four different bottles and playing amateur chemist in your bathroom, they basically threw the kitchen sink of antioxidants into one 30ml dropper. But does it actually do anything, or is it just more marketing fluff in a minimalist bottle?
I’ve spent years tracking how Deciem (the parent company) evolves. They started by selling us "unmarried" ingredients—just pure Niacinamide or pure Vitamin C. Now, they’re pivoting. They realized most of us don't have the patience to layer six serums every morning without them pilling into little gray balls of frustration. This multi-antioxidant formula is their peace offering to the lazy—or let’s say "efficient"—skincare enthusiast. It’s designed to fight environmental stressors, which is fancy talk for pollution, UV damage, and the general "grayness" that comes with living in a city.
What is actually inside this stuff?
Let's get real about the ingredients. Most people see "antioxidant" and think it’s just one thing. It isn't. This serum relies on a specific cocktail: EUK-134, Ferulic Acid, and Resveratrol. If those sound familiar, it's because The Ordinary used to sell them all as separate, highly concentrated products. EUK-134 is a bit of a legend in the science community because it’s a self-regenerating molecule. It mimics two enzymes in your skin—superoxide dismutase and catalase—to neutralize free radicals. Most antioxidants "die" after they neutralize a free radical. EUK just keeps going. It’s like a rechargeable battery for your skin’s defense system.
✨ Don't miss: Hong Hong Chinese Restaurant: Why This Neighborhood Staple Still Hits the Spot
Then you have Resveratrol and Ferulic Acid. Resveratrol is the stuff in red wine that people claim makes you live longer, though you’d have to drink about a thousand bottles to get the topical benefits. On the skin, it’s a powerhouse for calming redness. Ferulic acid is the "stabilizer." It’s famous for making Vitamin C more effective, but even on its own, it’s a beast at protecting the skin's structural integrity.
The texture is where things get polarizing. It’s an anhydrous formula. That’s a fancy way of saying there’s no water in it. Because there’s no water, the serum feels slightly oily or "propanediol-heavy" when it first hits your skin. It stays "slippery" for a minute. Some people hate this. They think it’s making them oily. In reality, it’s just the delivery mechanism keeping those unstable antioxidants from oxidizing before they even touch your face. If you’ve ever had a Vitamin C serum turn orange in the bottle, you know why this matters.
The EUK 134 conflict you need to know about
Here is the kicker: you cannot use this serum with everything. This is where most people mess up their skin barrier. EUK-134, which is a star player in the The Ordinary Multi-Antioxidant Radiance Serum, is extremely sensitive to acids.
If you use a glycolic acid toner or a strong Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid) right before this, you will literally destroy the EUK molecule. It "disassembles" it. You’re basically paying for an expensive liquid that no longer works. It won't necessarily burn your face off, but it renders the serum's most expensive ingredient useless. You’ve gotta wait. Or, better yet, use your acids at night and this antioxidant serum in the morning.
Why "Radiance" isn't just a buzzword here
We talk about "glow" like it's a measurable metric. It's not. But scientifically, what we perceive as radiance is just light reflecting off a smooth surface. When your skin is oxidized—think of a sliced apple turning brown—the surface becomes uneven and dull. By stopping that "browning" process on your face, the serum maintains a smoother surface.
I’ve noticed that this specific formula works better for people who live in high-pollution areas. If you’re commuting in a city, your skin is under constant assault from particulate matter. This serum acts like a secondary shield. It’s not sunscreen—never skip your SPF—but it catches the "bullets" that the SPF misses.
Interestingly, the inclusion of Mediterranean Pine Bark Extract (Pycnogenol) gives the serum a slight tint. Don't freak out. It’s a deep orange/red in the bottle, but it shears out to nothing on the skin. It actually provides a very subtle "warmth" to the complexion immediately upon application. It’s not a tan; it’s just the natural color of high-potency antioxidants.
✨ Don't miss: Chicago City Stickers: How to Avoid the $200 Ticket Everyone Hates
Is it better than the old "custom" mixtures?
Back in 2018, the hardcore fans would buy the Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3% bottle and the EUK 134 0.1% bottle and mix them. It was a mess. You’d end up with too much of one and not enough of the other. The The Ordinary Multi-Antioxidant Radiance Serum is basically Deciem saying, "Fine, we'll do the math for you."
The concentration in the multi-serum is balanced to be effective without being irritating. High-strength Resveratrol can actually be quite drying for some skin types because of the propanediol base. By mixing it with other soothing antioxidants, they’ve made it more tolerable for sensitive-leaning people.
How to actually use it without pilling
Nothing ruins a morning like your skincare peeling off in little rolls. Because this serum is water-free, it doesn't play well with every moisturizer. Here is the trick: apply it to slightly damp skin. Not soaking wet, just damp. The propanediol will "grab" that moisture and sink in much faster.
Wait at least two minutes. I know, we're all in a rush. But if you slap a heavy cream on top immediately, the serum will just sit on the surface. Give it time to settle. If you use a facial oil, apply this serum before the oil. If you use a water-based moisturizer, apply the serum after the moisturizer if you have sensitive skin, or before if you want maximum potency.
The Verdict: Who is this for?
This isn't for the person who wants overnight miracles. Antioxidants are a long game. You don't wake up the next day looking ten years younger. You use this so that ten years from now, you look exactly like you do today. It’s preventative maintenance.
It’s perfect for:
- People who live in cities.
- Those who find pure Vitamin C too irritating (L-ascorbic acid can be a nightmare for rosacea).
- Anyone tired of a 10-step routine.
- Smokers or former smokers looking to repair "dull" tones.
It's probably not for:
- People with extremely oily, acne-prone skin who hate any "slick" feeling.
- People already using a high-strength copper peptide serum (there are some stability debates there too).
Actionable steps for your routine
If you’re going to pick up The Ordinary Multi-Antioxidant Radiance Serum, don't just wing it. Follow these specific steps to get your money's worth:
- Check your conflict list. Look at your current routine. If you are using "The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution" or "AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution," do not use them in the same window as this serum. Use the acids at night and the Multi-Antioxidant serum in the morning.
- Patch test on your neck. High-strength antioxidants can sometimes cause a "flushing" sensation. It's not always an allergy; sometimes it's just the high concentration of actives increasing blood flow to the surface.
- Store it in a dark place. Even though the formula is stabilized and the bottle is UV-protective, heat is the enemy of antioxidants. Keep it out of the direct sun.
- Use it on your neck and chest. We always stop at the jawline. Don't. Your chest gets more sun damage than almost anywhere else.
- Pair with a simple SPF. The best way to see the "radiance" is to let the antioxidants work under a solid layer of sun protection. The serum fights the damage that gets through, and the SPF blocks the rest.
Skincare doesn't have to be a puzzle. This serum is a rare example of a company taking three or four complicated products and making them one. It’s not flashy, it doesn't smell like roses, and the texture is a bit oily. But from a chemistry standpoint? It’s one of the most robust defense products you can get for under twenty bucks. Just keep it away from your acids, give it a minute to sink in, and let the EUK do the heavy lifting while you go about your day.