Ferulic Acid

Ferulic Acid — a plant-derived antioxidant found in the cell walls of foods like rice bran, oats, and apples that neutralizes free radicals. In skincare it is prized for stabilizing and boosting the performance of other antioxidants, particularly vitamins C and E.

Key points

  • Ferulic acid is a naturally occurring antioxidant present in seeds, grains, and various plants.
  • It helps neutralize free radicals generated by UV exposure and environmental stress.
  • It is well known for stabilizing vitamin C and enhancing the combined antioxidant effect of vitamins C and E.
  • Ferulic acid is a common component of daytime antioxidant serums used under sunscreen.

Frequently asked

Why is ferulic acid combined with vitamin C?

Ferulic acid helps stabilize vitamin C, which is prone to oxidation, and boosts its antioxidant protection against environmental damage. The classic pairing of vitamins C, E, and ferulic acid is a well-studied antioxidant combination.

What skin types can use ferulic acid?

As an antioxidant, ferulic acid is generally well tolerated across most skin types. It is typically used in the morning under sunscreen to reinforce protection against free radical damage.

Related topics

This is a foundational entry in the SYNC Skin Encyclopedia and is expanded over time. Educational information only — not medical advice.

Encyclopedia

Further reading

This entry was written and checked against the sources below. They are published by clinical and scientific bodies, they are listed most readable first, and each one opens in a new tab. They are background for the whole entry rather than footnotes to individual sentences.

  1. Ferulic Acid Use for Skin Applications: A Systematic Review PubMed Central Peer-reviewed, open access pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. Ferulic Acid: A Comprehensive Review PubMed Central Peer-reviewed, open access pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. A topical antioxidant solution containing vitamins C and E stabilized by ferulic acid provides protection for human skin against damage caused by ultraviolet… PubMed Peer-reviewed (abstract) pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. Ferulic acid stabilizes a solution of vitamins C and E and doubles its photoprotection of skin PubMed Peer-reviewed (abstract) pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

SYNC does not publish medical advice. Nothing here replaces a consultation with a doctor or a pharmacist about your own skin.