The Ordinary EUK 134 0.1%

I added The Ordinary's EUK 134 0.1% to my cart once I read that it 'regenerates itself to offer round-the-clock antioxidant support'. Seriously, how amazing is that?!

Name: The Ordinary EUK 134 0.1%
Price: US$ 8.80 for 30 ml
Made in: Canada

EUK 134 mimics two natural skin enzymes: superoxide dismutase and catalase. These enzymes dismutate superoxide radicals and break down hydrogen peroxides to harmless molecules, consequently preventing free radical formation. The Ordinary claims it to be one of the strongest antioxidants, especially in the 0.1% concentration they use.

Like Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3% (reviewed here), EUK 134 0.1% leaves an oily residue that doesn't go away no matter what I do. Unlike Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3%, EUK 134 0.1% doesn't play well with acidic solutions, so I would use anything with an ingredient that niggles me at different times of the day or week. Y'know, just to make sure they don't cancel each other out.

Reassuring brown hue

As usual, it is hard to judge its efficacy because it doesn't show immediate results (aside from smoother skin) but I am confident that future me would thank me for being so diligent with preventive skincare. Fingers crossed that I won't have much to repair and reverse!

For those who find the consistency hard to swallow, you can dilute it with Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA, 100% Plant-Derived Squalane or any of the moisturisers you have on hand. Buy at theordinary.com.

The full ingredient list for EUK 134 0.1%:
Propanediol, Ethylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride.

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The Ordinary Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3%

Over the past several months, Deciem has come under fire over its never-ending string of missteps. Right now, I have decided not to dwell on the negative, but to focus on the positive: the Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3%!

Name: The Ordinary Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3%
Price: US$ 7.90 for 30 ml
Made in: Canada

I apply this antioxidant solution in the AM, because I read somewhere that antioxidants should be applied before the skin would be most vulnerable to environmental sources of oxidative stress; examples would be UV rays, air pollution and cigarette smoke.

I use three drops for my face and neck after my serum, and before my moisturiser. Sometimes (fine, most of the time, heh), I skip my moisturiser and reach for my sunscreen straight away. The fluid and silky texture is somewhat silicone-like, and will leave a film on my face no matter how long I massage it in or let it sit.

If you can look past the initial warming sensation and the scent (I am not bothered by it whereas some say it is off-putting), it has the potential to work wonders; well, more so on drier skins, and I think it would help too if you are based in a temperate climate. Do note that I have combination skin and I live where it is sunny all year long.

I haven't noticed anything extraordinary happening, but I figured that I am getting ahead by using it preventively. In years to come, I will hopefully reap the payoff for my perseverance with a healthy complexion that is free from textural irregularities!

There is a chance that it will cause irritation, so I would recommend patch testing first to see whether it works for your skin. Find it at theordinary.com for US$ 7.90.

The full ingredient list for Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3%:
Propanediol, Resveratrol, Ferulic Acid.

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