In this article, we'll cover:
- What is ferulic acid?
- Ferulic acid benefits for skin
- Adding ferulic acid to your skincare routine
- Skincare products with ferulic acid
What is Ferulic Acid?
Let's start with the basics: What is ferulic acid? While it sounds like something from a science lesson, ferulic acid is a powerful, plant-derived antioxidant that helps neutralise the environmental free radicals that can contribute to premature signs of ageing.
It can be found in the cell walls of plants such as apples, wheat, peanuts, rice and oranges, where it helps the plant to protect and preserve itself. Ferulic acid can also help to suppress radiation-induced oxidative reactions in the skin and prevent UV-induced pigmentation from appearing or becoming more prominent.
Ferulic Acid Benefits for Skin
So, what does ferulic acid do for the skin?
- Antioxidant protection: It helps to neutralise harmful free radicals in our environment, which can cause ageing signs to appear prematurely.
- Brighter skin and more even tone: Hyperpigmentation refers to areas of the skin which are darker than the surrounding areas, caused by an overproduction of the pigment melanin. Ferulic Acid can help prevent the production of melanin, which can help brighten the skin and even its tone.
Adding Ferulic Acid to Your Skincare Routine
Not sure how to use ferulic acid in your routine? SkinCeuticals offers a range of ferulic acid serums formulated for different skin types and concerns. Discover the perfect formulation for your individual skin needs below.
"When it comes to antioxidants, SkinCeuticals is the only brand that I recommend".
- Dr. Emma Craythorne
Consultant Dermatologist
C E Ferulic For Visible Signs of Ageing
Vitamin C Antioxidant Serum For Normal & Dry Skin Types
Skin Concern: Visible Signs of Ageing
Skin Type: Normal, Dry and Combination
C E Ferulic is one of SkinCeuticals best-selling daytime antioxidant serums, formulated for dry, normal and combination skin with 15% pure Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid), 0.5% Ferulic Acid and 1% Vitamin E. This antioxidant formula is clinically proven to increase the skin's natural environmental protection by up to 8 times, while protecting the skin against free radicals in our environment, such as from UV rays, pollution and infrared radiation*. With regular daily use, this serum is also clinically proven to improve the appearance of skin firmness by up to 37% and enhance skin radiance by up to 44%**.
C E Ferulic For Visible Signs of Ageing
Vitamin C Antioxidant Serum For Normal & Dry Skin Types
Phloretin CF Serum For Discolouration
Vitamin C Serum For Normal & Oily Skin Types
Skin Concern: Discolouration
Skin Type: Normal, Oily and Combination
Phloretin CF is a daytime antioxidant serum that is formulated for normal, oily and combination skin types, and contains 10% pure Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid), 2% Phloretin and 0.5% Ferulic Acid. It also helps to reinforce the skin's defence against free radical damage while improving the appearance of skin tone and texture with its triple antioxidant formula – this makes it particularly effective at targeting dullness and discolouration. If you prefer a lightweight gel texture over a serum, Phloretin CF Gel provides the same benefits and formula but in a different format.
Phloretin CF Serum For Discolouration
Vitamin C Serum For Normal & Oily Skin Types
Silymarin CF Serum For Blemish Prone Skin
Vitamin C Antioxidant Serum For Normal & Oily Skin Types
Skin Concern: Blemishes
Skin Type: Normal, Oily and Combination
Silymarin CF is a daytime antioxidant serum that is formulated for normal, oily and combination skin types. Also suitable for blemish-prone skin. Targeting the skin concerns oiliness, blemishes and rough texture, it helps reinforce skin's natural protection from free radical damage and prevent oil oxidation which can lead to blemishes. Silymarin CF contains 0.5% Silymarin, 15% Pure Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid), 0.5% Ferulic Acid, and 0.5% Salicylic Acid to reduce oil oxidation, improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and reduce excess oil.
Silymarin CF Serum For Blemish Prone Skin
Vitamin C Antioxidant Serum For Normal & Oily Skin Types
Serum 10: Vitamin C 30ml for Dull, Sensitised Skin
A fast-absorbing vitamin C combination antioxidant serum that help protect skin from free radicals and defend against environmental damage.
Skin Concern: Sensitivity
Skin Type: All, Including Sensitive
Serum 10 is a great option if your skin is on the sensitive side. It combines Ferulic Acid with fast-absorbing Vitamin C to help protect the skin from free radicals and environmental damage. This gentle serum also helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while restoring a healthier, radiant look to the skin.
Serum 10: Vitamin C 30ml for Dull, Sensitised Skin
A fast-absorbing vitamin C combination antioxidant serum that helps protect skin from free radicals and defend against environmental damage.
AOX+ Eye Gel 15ml
Helps prevent free radical damage and reduces the appearance of visible signs of ageing around the eye.
Skin Concern: Visible Signs of Ageing Around the Eye
Skin Type: All
You can also complement the results of your daily serum with our AOX+ Eye Gel. This lightweight gel features Ferulic Acid within its powerful triple antioxidant formula to combat signs of fatigue and restore a rested appearance to the delicate eye area.
AOX+ Eye Gel 15ml
Helps prevent free radical damage and reduces the appearance of visible signs of ageing around the eye.
*Clinical evaluation. Average result compared with untreated skin.
**Clinical study, 54 subjects. Percentages are average improvement of score from visual grading.
Products with Ferulic Acid
Want to include ferulic acid in your skincare routine? Discover our ferulic acid skincare products:
Shop Featured Products
C E Ferulic For Visible Signs of Ageing
Vitamin C Antioxidant Serum For Normal & Dry Skin Types
Phloretin CF Serum For Discolouration
Vitamin C Serum For Normal & Oily Skin Types
Silymarin CF Serum For Blemish Prone Skin
Vitamin C Antioxidant Serum For Normal & Oily Skin Types
AOX+ Eye Gel 15ml
Helps prevent free radical damage and reduces the appearance of visible signs of ageing around the eye.
Serum 10: Vitamin C 30ml for Dull, Sensitised Skin
A fast-absorbing vitamin C combination antioxidant serum that help protect skin from free radicals and defend against environmental damage.
Answers to your most frequently asked questions about ferulic acid and its benefits for skin
Ferulic acid for skin is a potent anti-ageing ingredient. In addition to neutralising environmental free radicals that contribute to premature ageing, when combined with vitamin C and vitamin E in our C E Ferulic, ferulic acid benefits include helping to improve the appearance of existing fine lines, wrinkles, and skin discolouration; and helping to restore skin firmness. In a study, ferulic acid has been proven to help stabilise Vitamin C and E.
Ferulic acid can be used every day as a part of your morning skincare routine. To get the most ferulic acid benefits, it is recommended to apply formulas containing this ingredient to neutralise free radicals the skin is exposed to during the day. Ferulic acid can be found in best-selling SkinCeuticals products that include C E Ferulic with 15% L-ascorbic Acid, Phloretin CF with Ferulic Acid and Silymarin CF.
Yes, retinol and ferulic acid can be used in the same skincare routine. Ferulic acid works on neutralising free radicals in the environment and preventing radiation-induced oxidative reactions in the skin. It is recommended, however, that you apply ferulic acid in the morning, so your skin benefits from its antioxidant effect, while retinol should be applied in the evening as it makes the skin more photosensitive. Always follow using retinol with a broad-spectrum sunscreen throughout the next day. Learn more about mixing ferulic acid and other ingredients here.
Ferulic acid and niacinamide can be used together in most skincare routines. Antioxidant ferulic acid benefits differ from niacinamide, which is used to help reinforce the skin's barrier and reduce the appearance of discolouration and blotchiness.
Hyaluronic acid is a powerful combination with antioxidants such as ferulic acid. We recommend pairing C E Ferulic with 15% L-ascorbic acid with HA Intensifier Multi-Glycan to visibly improve the appearance of skin by increasing firmness and elasticity.
Yes, ferulic acid and vitamin C are a potent and commonly used combination. Ferulic acid not only amplifies the benefits of vitamin C, but it also increases the chemical stability of the antioxidant. To experience the benefits of the powerful pairing, incorporate C E Ferulic with 15% L-ascorbic acid into your routine twice daily.
Using this ingredient at night will not harm your skin, but application at this time does not take advantage of the primary ferulic acid benefits. As a potent antioxidant, ferulic acid in skincare helps neutralise free radicals, pollution, and other environmental factors that skin is exposed to during daytime hours.
Ferulic acid is suitable for blemish-prone skin, and is one of the main ingredients in Silymarin CF. This SkinCeuticals topical vitamin C serum is formulated specifically for oily skin and features known ferulic acid benefits, such as shielding the skin from damaging free radicals and enhancing the activity of silymarin and vitamin C, the other antioxidants found in this formulation.
No, ferulic acid skincare does not increase sun sensitivity. In fact, it helps protect the skin from UV damage by neutralising free radicals. However, it is always recommended to use sunscreen daily for maximum protection against environmental stressors like UV.
Ferulic acid is generally suitable for use for all skin types, but those with very sensitive or allergy-prone skin should patch-test any skincare with active ingredients.
