This review discusses the research progress of antioxidant additives for lubricating oils. Antioxidants are crucial for improving the oxidation stability and service life of lubricants. They are classified into two types: peroxide decomposers and radical scavengers. Peroxide decomposers, such as sulfur compounds, phosphorus compounds, sulfur-phosphorus compounds, and sulfur-nitrogen compounds, are effective but have high pollution levels. Radical scavengers, like hindered phenols and aromatic amines, have superior antioxidant properties and no pollution, making them promising replacements for traditional antioxidants. Molecular structures with synergistic antioxidant properties have been extensively designed. The review highlights the oxidation mechanism of hydrocarbon lubricants, which involves a free radical chain reaction. Peroxide decomposers break down hydroperoxides into low-reactive alcohols or inactive radicals, while radical scavengers donate hydrogen to form stable hydrocarbons and hydroperoxides. Organosulfur compounds, organophosphorus compounds, sulfur-phosphorus compounds, and sulfur-nitrogen compounds are common peroxide decomposers. Radical scavengers, such as aromatic amines and hindered phenols, play a key role in antioxidant performance. The review also discusses the structural design of hindered phenols, emphasizing the importance of phenolic hydroxyl groups in eliminating radicals. The antioxidant mechanisms of various compounds are detailed, and the synergistic effects of different additives are explored. The study provides insights into the development of high-performance antioxidants for lubricating oils.This review discusses the research progress of antioxidant additives for lubricating oils. Antioxidants are crucial for improving the oxidation stability and service life of lubricants. They are classified into two types: peroxide decomposers and radical scavengers. Peroxide decomposers, such as sulfur compounds, phosphorus compounds, sulfur-phosphorus compounds, and sulfur-nitrogen compounds, are effective but have high pollution levels. Radical scavengers, like hindered phenols and aromatic amines, have superior antioxidant properties and no pollution, making them promising replacements for traditional antioxidants. Molecular structures with synergistic antioxidant properties have been extensively designed. The review highlights the oxidation mechanism of hydrocarbon lubricants, which involves a free radical chain reaction. Peroxide decomposers break down hydroperoxides into low-reactive alcohols or inactive radicals, while radical scavengers donate hydrogen to form stable hydrocarbons and hydroperoxides. Organosulfur compounds, organophosphorus compounds, sulfur-phosphorus compounds, and sulfur-nitrogen compounds are common peroxide decomposers. Radical scavengers, such as aromatic amines and hindered phenols, play a key role in antioxidant performance. The review also discusses the structural design of hindered phenols, emphasizing the importance of phenolic hydroxyl groups in eliminating radicals. The antioxidant mechanisms of various compounds are detailed, and the synergistic effects of different additives are explored. The study provides insights into the development of high-performance antioxidants for lubricating oils.