Ferulic Acid: The Antioxidant That Makes Vitamin C Work Harder

Ferulic Acid: The Antioxidant That Makes Vitamin C Work Harder

You will often see ferulic acid near the end of a vitamin C serum's ingredient list. It rarely gets top billing, but the research behind it is some of the more interesting in antioxidant skincare.

What ferulic acid does

Ferulic acid is a plant antioxidant. Its main job in a serum is to support other antioxidants, especially vitamin C and vitamin E, which can be unstable on their own.

What the research found

A well known study in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology found that adding ferulic acid to a topical solution of 15 percent vitamin C and 1 percent vitamin E improved the chemical stability of the vitamins and roughly doubled their photoprotection against simulated sun exposure (Lin et al., 2005, PMID 16185284). Later work on topical antioxidant blends containing vitamin C and ferulic acid has continued to explore their protective role (Murray et al., 2008, PMID 19146606).

How to use it

  • Antioxidant serums are usually used in the morning, under sunscreen.
  • Ferulic acid works best as part of a formula, so you do not need to seek it out separately.
  • Antioxidants support your sunscreen, they do not replace it.

At Verdo we stock the Medik8 Super C Ferulic, which pairs vitamin C with ferulic acid, and the gentler Medik8 C-Tetra.

Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. The studies cited are from peer-reviewed journals and are provided for educational context. Individual results vary. Speak with a qualified healthcare professional or dermatologist before changing your routine. Verdo Cosmetics makes no therapeutic claims about the products or services mentioned.

Frequently asked questions

What does ferulic acid do in skincare?
It is a plant antioxidant that helps stabilise and support other antioxidants like vitamin C and vitamin E. A study found adding ferulic acid to a vitamin C and E solution improved stability and roughly doubled photoprotection (Lin et al., 2005).
Should I use a ferulic acid serum in the morning or at night?
Antioxidant serums are usually applied in the morning under sunscreen, where their protective role against daytime exposure is most useful.
Does ferulic acid replace sunscreen?
No. Antioxidants support sunscreen by helping defend against free radicals, but they do not provide the UV protection that sunscreen does. Use both.
Do I need to buy ferulic acid separately?
No. Ferulic acid works as part of a formula alongside vitamin C and E, so choosing a well-formulated antioxidant serum is the simplest approach.
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