Ferulic Acid in Skin Care

Ferulic acid is a compound with anticarcinogenic, antioxidant, and photoprotective qualities. It is found mainly in serums, but you can see all of our ferulic acid products here!

It is derived from many different plant species, as it is a nearly omnipresent naturally occurring chemical in common fruits and vegetables.

Ferulic acid is used in many skin care products designed for photosensitive or UV damaged skin.

A lot of research supports the use of ferulic acid as an antioxidant, and it seems to be most effective within specific temperature and pH conditions. (27)

Read below to find out all about the properties and uses of ferulic acid in skin care!

What is ferulic acid

4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamic acid, also known as ferulic acid, makes up plant cell walls. (4-8)

People ingest ferulic acid regularly through their diets because it is a key component of most fruits and vegetables. It is considered a significant antioxidant and is one of the countless reasons vegetables are so good for you! (21)

It can be found in various fruits, grains, and vegetables like: (1,5,8,9)

Asparagus

Barley

Eggplants

Grapes

Oats

Olives

Pineapples

Spinach

Tomatoes

Because ferulic acid is harvested as a byproduct of general agriculture, it is a cheap and common ingredient in many skin care products. Here are some of my favorites:

Chemistry

Ferulic acid is part of a family of “polyphenolic” compounds called hydroxycinnamic acids which are common in skin care. (6,11,18)

Some other hydroxycinnamic acids in skin care are caffeic, p-coumaric, p-hydroxycinnamic, and sinapic acids.(5)

Ferulic acid has been shown in multiple studies to greatly prevent sun damage through absorption of UV radiation. (19)

Specifically, it protects against UVB-induced erythema.(4)

The UV absorbing antioxidants in ferulic acid have been shown to protect the skin barrier and other phospholipid membranes.(4,20)

The antioxidant properties come from the free tail of its nucleus which has been shown to easily stabilize free radicals. (8)

Ferulic acid structure

How is ferulic acid used in skin care?

Ferulic acid is most often used in skin care in cosmetic creams focused on UV protection like sunscreens. (8,22)

Antioxidants like ferulic acid, vitamin C, and vitamin E are also helpful in increasing the shelf life of skin care products.

It is considered one of the best natural compounds for combatting UV damage and hyperpigmentation.

Benefits

The primary benefits attributed to ferulic acid in skin care are its antioxidant and UV absorbing properties.

One study investigating the antioxidant capacity of ferulic acid found that usage either orally or topically might be good at fighting skin cancer. (16) But more research always needs to be done on cancer treatments.

It is used in many sunscreens because in the right conditions it is very good at preventing sun damage and hyperpigmentation.

Outside of skin care, studies have taken place and are ongoing trying to determine the potentially beneficial effects of ferulic acid on: (1,17)

Cardiovascular disease

Diabetes

Neurodegenerative conditions

Various cancers

Side effects

Ferulic acid has no notable side-effects. It is present in basically every common edible plant species and does not even pose a rare risk of allergy.

Safety

Ferulic acid is absolutely safe for both topical and oral use. It is biologically standard for the body to metabolize the compound.(6)

This ingredient is even safe to use during pregnancy and had reported no toxicity when applied topically.

Because ferulic acid is produced as a byproduct of regular plant growing operations, there is no particular environmental impact associated with ferulic acid products either.

Safety in Pregnancy

Ferulic acid is considered safe for use during pregnancy due to its low systemic absorption when applied topically, which minimizes any potential risk to the fetus.

How is ferulic acid used in skin care

Is ferulic acid good in skin care?

In the rights conditions, ferulic acid is considered one of the best antioxidant, UV protecting, skin lightening ingredients in skin care.

There are conflicting reports on whether ferulic acid is stable in different pH environments, so it is possible that its effectiveness can vary based on the pH of other ingredients it is used alongside.(1,3,19)

For example, if ferulic acid is used at the same time or before a low pH ingredient like glycolic acid, it could lower the effectiveness of ferulic acid.

“6” is considered the perfect pH environment for using ferulic acid. (27)

Try to layer your skin care products in such a way that they each work their best. Make sure that products you layer on top of your ferulic acid are a pH of 6 or greater.

Each custom skin care regimen has its own quirks, so be sure your custom regimen isn’t too acidic or basic to include ferulic acid.

In general, ferulic acid can be found in many sunscreens, skin lighteners, and anti-aging products.

For sun damage

Ferulic acid has long been considered an effective photoprotective agent in skin care products. (8)

Other studies have found that it not only absorbs UV radiation to prevent sun damage, it but actually treats and repairs sun damage. (17)

Ferulic acid is most effective in sun damage treatments used in combination with other antioxidant compounds like vitamins C&E. (23)

It has been proposed that products containing ferulic acid in combination with other antioxidants are the best choice for protecting the skin from sun damage. (23)

For hyperpigmentation

Because ferulic acid is considered one of the best natural compounds for absorbing UV radiation, it is used in a number of sun damage treating and skin lightening products.

It is a potent tyrosinase inhibitor compared to other naturally occurring compounds, and has been found to slow down melanin production (depigmentation) notably better than: (28)

Arbutin

Ascorbic acid (vitamin C)

Kojic acid

Tranexamic acid

For those reasons, it is considered great in treatments of melasma, PIH, and most other kinds of hyperpigmentation.

It is best used in combination with other tyrosinase inhibitors or PAR-2 blockers.

When choosing a moisturizer to use over ferulic acid, look for these oils that are natural skin lightening ingredients:

Bergamot oil

Licorice extract

Rose oil

Sunflower oil

ferulic acid for anti-aging

For wrinkles

Ferulic acid has antioxidant properties, which are commonly found in products designed for aging skin and wrinkles.

Ingredients like ferulic acid work best alongside retinoids and other anti-aging ingredients.

It is important to make sure the ingredients you pair with ferulic acid are roughly a pH of 6 for maximum effectiveness.(27) (Retinol ranges between 5-6 pH)

Shop by your Baumann Skin Type to see if ferulic acid products are right for your anti-aging regimen.

DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life. What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin? Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition. Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes. If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider. What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin? Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity. Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C. Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post. Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster. This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster. While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin. It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin. Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning? Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance. You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather. Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.

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