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Some of the most popular go-to skin care ingredients are acids, from super-hydrating hyaluronic acid to acne-fighting salicylic acid. Though ferulic acid is lesser known, it’s a power player you should definitely know more about when it comes to skin care. Read on to learn more about this effective skin care ingredient and how to incorporate it into your skin care regimen.
Ferulic acid is a phytochemical found in plants—specifically fruits, vegetables and grains such as corn, tomatoes and rice bran.
Ferulic acid is an antioxidant, which means it has the potential to stop free radicals, which cause signs of aging including fine lines, wrinkles and dark spots. Free radicals result naturally in the body from everyday metabolic processes, and they also form in response to exposure to environmental stressors, such as UV rays, X-rays, cigarette smoke and air pollution. Antioxidants work on a molecular level to neutralize free radicals and prevent them from causing damage.
In skin care, ferulic acid acts as an anti-aging ingredient and also an important sidekick to other active ingredients. “It helps stabilize and enhance the efficacy of other beneficial skin care ingredients such as vitamin C and E,” says LovelySkin Medical Director Dr. Daniel Schlessinger, a board-certified dermatologist, Mohs surgeon and cosmetic surgeon. “Because vitamin C is an unstable molecule that easily loses its beneficial properties when it is exposed to oxygen, heat or light, matching it with ferulic acid helps preserve its potency.”
In addition to boosting the efficacy of vitamins C and E, ferulic acid is beneficial in its own right. “Because it’s an antioxidant, it can effectively minimize the effects of sun damage,” says LovelySkin CEO Dr. Joel Schlessinger, board-certified dermatologist, Mohs surgeon and cosmetic surgeon. “That includes signs of premature aging such as fine lines, uneven skin tone, sagging and dullness.”
“Ferulic acid is well-tolerated by most of my patients,” Dr. Joel Schlessinger says. “Because ferulic acid is derived from seeds, vegetables and fruits, if you have food allergies of any kind, it can be a good idea to test on a small area of skin first just to check for any irritation.”
Ferulic acid is often found in antioxidant serums, but you’ll also find it incorporated in other skin care formulas, from sunscreen to brightening face masks. Here are a few of our favorite products to try if you’re ready to experience the benefits of ferulic acid.
This highly potent face serum uses ferulic acid to fade signs of aging and enhance the effects of vitamins C and E. “We formulated this serum to help boost collagen and elastin while also providing free radical protection,” Dr. Joel Schlessinger says. “It also helps reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation.”
In this antioxidant face serum, ferulic acid in a 0.5% concentration teams up with 1% vitamin E and 15% L-ascorbic acid, the most potent form of vitamin C. In a 20-week clinical study, this serum reduced the appearance of visible wrinkles by up to 36%, enhanced radiance by 44.8% and increased firmness by 37%. It’s a good fit for normal, dry and sensitive skin types.
For oily and combination skin, SkinCeuticals created Silymarin CF Vitamin C Serum, which features the same concentrations of ferulic acid and vitamin C combined with salicylic acid and silymarin for oil control and acne prevention.
We love the idea of using an intensive face treatment once or twice a week to help you achieve your skin goals. These pre-dosed treatment pads combine retinol (in your choice of 0.2% or 0.5% concentrations) with ferulic acid to help diminish fine lines and wrinkles and improve uneven skin tone. The addition of hyaluronic acid helps boost your skin’s hydration levels for a softer, smoother look and bakuchiol helps target discoloration.
Thanks to its ability to minimize the effects of sun damage, ferulic acid makes a beneficial addition to sunscreen formulas such as this one by Sonrei. The clear gel formula goes on invisibly and provides broad-spectrum UV protection with 10% octocrylene, 5% octisalate and 2.5% avobenzone. Vitamins C and E team up with ferulic acid to help protect damage caused by free radicals and promote healthy collagen production.
Think of this face mask as a healthy green smoothie for your skin. Vitamins C and E and ferulic acid combine forces with a blend of plant-based ingredients—avocado oil, kale, spinach, broccoli, grapefruit, lemon—to combat free radical damage, promote collagen production and naturally moisturize your skin. You can use it as-is or dilute it a bit with water in the palm of your hand for a lighter application.
If you’re sensitive to retinol but would still like to experience its anti-aging benefits, this face serum contains bakuchiol, a plant-based alternative that is gentler on skin. It also contains the triple-threat combo of ferulic acid, vitamin C and vitamin E, which work together to provide antioxidant benefits such as reducing signs of premature aging. It has a lightweight texture that absorbs into your skin quickly, so you can move on to the next step of your skin care routine.
Ferulic acid isn’t the only antioxidant that deserves a spot in your skin care routine.
You can learn more about resveratrol, another underrated antioxidant, on the LovelySkin Blog.
Aaron serves as Editor at LovelySkin. Since graduating from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 2016 with degrees in Creative Writing and English, he has immersed himself in the beauty industry. When he’s not writing about the latest beauty trends, he spends time cuddling his dogs, scouring antique stores, playing tennis and hiking.
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