Ingredients Antioxidant Ferulic Acid
50Fa
Tier · Moderate evidence
Antioxidant

Ferulic Acid

INCI: Ferulic Acid · Also called: trans-Ferulic Acid

Boosts the effectiveness of vitamin C and vitamin E when layered together. The reason a good morning antioxidant serum stays potent through the day.

For your skin

Boosts the effectiveness of vitamin C and vitamin E when layered together. The reason a good morning antioxidant serum stays potent through the day.

Want the science? Keep reading ↓

Mechanism of action

Hydroxycinnamic acid antioxidant that stabilizes the redox state of vitamins C and E in solution, extending their UV-photoprotective lifespan.

Why we tier this moderate

5 cited papers across 3 countries. The mechanism is well-described and there's at least one controlled trial in the literature, but we tier this Moderate rather than Strong to stay honest about how many specific papers we cite directly.

2
Korea
2
United States
1
International

Read the research

Cited research

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Kim JH et al., Fractional microneedle radiofrequency with the application of vitamin C, E, and ferulic acid serum for neck skin rejuvenation: a prospective, double-blinded, split-neck, placebo-controlled trial, Journal of Dermatological Treatment 2025;36(1):2504655 — CE+ferulic serum + microneedle RF produced superior clinical and histologic neck rejuvenation vs RF alone

2025Positive — efficacyPMID:40464749View source ↗
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Hahn HJ et al., Pretreatment of Ferulic Acid Protects Human Dermal Fibroblasts against Ultraviolet A Irradiation, Annals of Dermatology 2016;28(6):740-748 — ferulic acid pretreatment protects human dermal fibroblasts from UVA damage via antioxidant + stress-inducible mechanisms

2016Mechanism onlyPMID:27904274View source ↗
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Staniforth V et al., Ferulic acid, a phenolic phytochemical, inhibits UVB-induced matrix metalloproteinases in mouse skin via posttranslational mechanisms, Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry 2012;23(5):443-451 — ferulic acid suppressed UVB-induced MMP-2/-9 expression

2012Mechanism onlyPMID:21543204View source ↗
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Murray JC et al., A topical antioxidant solution containing vitamins C and E stabilized by ferulic acid provides protection for human skin against damage caused by ultraviolet irradiation, Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 2008;59(3):418-425 — topical C+E+ferulic acid serum significantly reduced UV-induced erythema and thymine dimer formation

2008Positive — efficacyPMID:18603326View source ↗
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Lin FH et al., Ferulic acid stabilizes a solution of vitamins C and E and doubles its photoprotection of skin, Journal of Investigative Dermatology 2005;125(4):826-32 — synergistic antioxidant combination efficiently reduced UV-induced thymine dimer formation

2005Positive — efficacyPMID:16185284View source ↗

Sources: PubMed · KCI · J-Stage · CNKI · Wanfang · SFD · MFDS · Cochrane · SCCS · CIR. Every entry points to a specific document. See methodology for what each outcome label means.