I love Zelens skincare. I’ve been going through almost the whole line. The first serum I tested was the Intense Defence Antioxidant Serum. Per Zelens: “A potent antioxidant serum formulated with a unique blend of synergistic ingredients to help fight against three types of free radicals (ROS, RNS, RCS) and defend from environmental assaults. This lightweight, hydrating formulation supports natural collagen production and combats the effects of glycation to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.”
- Provides a strong protective barrier against all three types of harmful free radicals
- Improves the texture and appearance of the skin by stimulating the production of collagen
- Leaves skin hydrated, firmer and healthy-looking
Application: Apply in the morning to face, neck and decollete. Follow with moisturizer.
The slim frosted glass pump is fabulous packaging wise. No exposing the product to air, so no degradation of those precious ingredients. The pump is smooth and you can dispense however much you wish, even a half pump. The texture is a hydrating, light creamy serum. It has a minimal clean pleasant scent, typical of all Zelens products. They never have overwhelming strong scents.
This is meant to use in the morning to protect for the day. I used this in place of my normal Vitamin C serum. My skin felt fabulous after using this for a few weeks. It was hydrated, and firmer in tone. My skin felt really healthy while using this product. Not only was it an antioxidant serum, it has other extra ingredients such as peptides, proteins and hyaluronic acid.
The ingredient Chromane is the most interesting to me. Free radicals cause premature aging, in more ways than just aging skin. Reducing oxidative stress on your skin helps reduce free radicals. Antioxidants help reduce those free radicals, which leads to fewer or reduced signs of aging such as wrinkles, lines and brown spots. This serum is packed full of antioxidants, not just the standard Vitamin C, with a couple extras thrown in as well. This is not a cheap serum. The retail is $230 for 30mL. Even at that cost I would buy it again as you get what you pay for most times. This one is worth the splurge.
Intense Defence Antioxidant Serum is formulated with a proprietary antioxidant complex containing 18 active ingredients that work synergistically to keep the skin looking healthy and vibrant.
Superoxide dismutase (SOD): A completely natural, yeast-derived enzyme that fights free radicals, protects cell membranes and improves the skin cell respiration.
Alpha-lipoic acid (Thioctic acid): Acts as a strong natural antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties. Increases cellular energy production, which is very important for DNA protection and skin’s natural repairing process.
Coenzyme Q10 (Ubiquinone): A powerful antioxidant that protects skin lipids, increases barrier resistance to oxidative stress, supports cellular energy production and helps reduce collagen degradation.
Chromane: A strong antioxidant that effectively protects cells from irreversible damage by capturing RNS. Furthermore, clinical studies showed that this molecule is more effective in the inhibition of oxidative stress than Resveratrol, Ferulic acid and Vitamin E.
Squalane: Derived from olives, this active ingredient demonstrates strong antioxidant properties, helps fortify the skin barrier and improve skin hydration.
Vitamin C: Zelens uses a stable form of Vitamin C (stable to oxidation and heat) with superior skin absorption. Clinical results showed that this vitamin C derivate has multiple functions: prevents lipid peroxidation, reduces UV-induced DNA damage, promotes collagen production and inhibits collagen degradation and helps reduce the appearance of dark spots.
Bisabolol: An active molecule extracted from Camomile. Possesses strong antioxidant, anti-irritant, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties.
Shiso leaf (Perilla, Japanese mint): Rich in polyphenols (particularly Rosmarinic acid) and triterpenoids (particularly Ursolic acid), natural molecules that demonstrate antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-allergic bioactivities. Shiso leaf acts as a powerful antioxidant defending skin from free radical damage. It helps to prevent skin reactivity and soothes sensitive skin. Shiso leaf is well-known in Kampo medicine for its strong detox properties.
Green tea: Contains high level of polyphenols, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG has significant antioxidant, photo-protective and anti-inflammatory properties. Promotes wound healing and skin renewal.
Pycnogenol: A natural plant ingredient extracted from the pine bark. Powerfully scavenge free radicals, demonstrates anti-inflammatory properties and provides support to strengthen and rebuild skin’s natural collagen.
Echinacea: A plant with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties. Boosts immune system of the skin.
Ginkgo biloba: A plant rich in bioflavonoids with strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Increases oxygen consumption and enhances collagen production.
Hyaluronic acid: An important natural component of skin. Zelens uses a low-molecular weight hyaluronic acid (HA) with unique moisturizing properties. HA improves skin moisture, helps to retain and maintain skin elasticity and reduces the appearance of wrinkles.
Vegetal proteins: Zelens uses 2 vegetal proteins- soy proteins and wheat proteins. These proteins protects collagen from glycation, enhances collagen production and promotes skin firmness and elasticity.
Tripeptide-1: Boosts collagen production and improves collagen fiber quality.
Sesame protein: This sesame-derived protein demonstrates an instant tightening effect with a noticeable reduction in the appearance of wrinkles. Effectively provides long-lasting moisture.
Vitamin E: An antioxidant with a key role in the protection of cellular membranes from free radicals. It is the major antioxidant in the human epidermis with strong protective effects against UV-induced skin damage.
- After 1 hour: – 74%
- After 3 hours: – 73%
- After 5 hours: – 50%
Results of this study were published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology (Assessment of the kinetics of the antioxidative capacity of topical antioxidants).”