Ferulic Acid

Ferulic acid is an antioxidant ingredient used in skincare products, such as serums, eye gels and facial gels, to reduce visible signs of ageing such as fine lines, wrinkles and dark spots. Found in the cell walls of plants such as wheat, rice and oranges, ferulic acid complements the benefits of other antioxidants, particularly vitamins C and vitamin E. This powerful ingredient neutralises free radical damage from pollution, UV light or infrared radiation, acting as a shield to protect skin and deter the accelerating effect that these factors have on skin ageing.

In addition to carrying a range of anti-ageing benefits, including reduced formation of fine lines, wrinkles and potential for sagging skin, ferulic acid also works to reduce inflammation and pigmentation, along with minimising dark spots. This in turn, offers a healthy, glowing complexion that is protected by a shield from any type of skin damage caused by pollution, UV and more. Another benefit of introducing ferulic acid into your skincare regime, is its ability to boost and stabilise the effects of vitamin C and vitamin E, allowing the compounds to work to their full potential.

The most common cause of ageing in skin tissue is down to oxidative stress caused by free radicals overriding skin's antioxidant levels. Due to this, a skincare regime highly concentrated in antioxidants, such as ferulic acid, is essential in boosting the antioxidants in the skin, to fight off free radicals and act as a preventative measure from damage in the first place. For best measure, apply 3-4 drops of your chosen ferulic acid serum or gel in the morning to a freshly cleansed and dry face using your fingers to lightly and evenly distribute. Follow with your daily moisturiser and SPF sunscreens to achieve optimal protection.

Ferulic acid is a common ingredient in facial serums such as the SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic, Phloretin CF and Serum 10 AOX+. Choose from a varied range of acid concentrations and additional antioxidant ingredients, to find the correct product for your skin's needs. This powerful antioxidant is also found in the SkinCeuticals AOX+ Eye Gel designed to target visible signs of ageing around the eye area including dark under-eye circles, fatigue and fine lines such as crow's feet.

Fun fact: ferulic acid is an organic compound naturally found in the walls of plant cells from wheat, rice, and oranges.

Ferulic acid supplements can be used every day. To gain maximum benefit of the antioxidant properties on offer, we recommend adding ferulic acid skin care products into your morning routine. As a free radical scavenger in its own right, ferulic acid protects against free radical attacks the skin is routinely exposed to during the day. It also complements the benefits of other antioxidant vitamins C and E. Ferulic acid serums are amongst the best-selling SkinCeuticals skin care products, and include:
● C E Ferulic, with 15% pure vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) and 1% vitamin E (alpha tocopherol);
● Phloretin C, with 2% phloretin and 10% pure vitamin C and
● Silymarin CF, with 0.5% silymarin (milk thistle extract), 15% pure vitamin C, and 0.5% salicylic acid.

Both ferulic acid and retinol play valuable roles in any skin care routine, with these active ingredients having completely different actions on the skin. Ideal for use in your morning routine, ferulic acid products have multiple anti-ageing benefits. Used at night-time, retinol is ideal for promoting skin cell turnover to help keep fresh skin cells on the surface, improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, discolouration, and skin texture.

Ferulic acid and niacinamide can be used together in most skincare regimens. The antioxidant benefits of ferulic acid are different to the comforting, nourishing properties of niacinamide, which is used to help reinforce the skin’s moisture barrier and reduce the appearance of discolouration and blotchiness.

Using ferulic acid supplements at night will not do your skin any harm, but application at this time of day doesn't take advantage of the primary benefits that ferulic acid offers. With its potent antioxidant properties, ferulic acid helps to neutralise free radicals and other external aggressors that the skin is exposed to during the day.

Ferulic acid is safe and suitable for mild acne-prone skin, and for this reason is one of the main ingredients in Silymarin CF. This SkinCeuticals topical vitamin C serum is formulated specifically for oily skin with salicylic acid to penetrate clogged pores and exfoliate dead skin cells. The addition of ferulic acid helps shield the skin from free radical damage and enhances the activity of silymarin and vitamin C, the other antioxidants found in this formulation.