Derm DMs: can ferulic acid be used as a standalone antioxidant (without vitamin C)?

Known for helping the skin fight off free radicals that can damage the skin. antioxidant into your daily skin care routine is a good idea if you want to prevent visible discolorations, dullness and skin aging. Some of our favorite antioxidants that you may have heard of are: vitamin C, vitamin E and niacinamide. Perhaps a lesser known variant that has recently appeared on our radar is ferulic acid. Ferulic acid is derived from vegetables and can often be found in foods containing vitamin C for added antioxidant protection. We asked ahead Dr. Loretta Chiraldo, board certified dermatologist and skincare.com expert consultant, on the benefits of ferulic acid and how to incorporate ferulic acid products into your daily routine.

What is ferulic acid?

According to Dr. Siraldo, ferulic acid is a phyto-antioxidant found in tomatoes, sweet corn, and other fruits and vegetables. “To date, ferulic acid has been used more because of its role as a very good stabilizer of the L-ascorbic acid form of vitamin C — an ingredient that is relatively unstable,” she says.  

Can ferulic acid be used as a standalone antioxidant?

Dr. Loretta says that while ferulic acid has many potential benefits as an antioxidant in its own right, more research is needed. "It's a bit tricky to formulate because while 0.5% is a great stabilizer, we're not sure that this level of ferulic acid is enough to make visible improvements in skincare formulations," she says. But if she had a choice between a vitamin C product with or without ferulic acid, she would choose the latter.

How to include ferulic acid in your daily routine

While ferulic acid shouldn't be the only antioxidant you use in your daily life, Dr. Loretta suggests combining vitamin C products with ferulic acid, or using products that contain both. 

“Ferulic acid is non-irritating and well tolerated by all skin types,” she adds, and there are many options. For acne prone skin we recommend SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF which contains vitamin C, ferulic acid and salicylic acid, designed to prevent oil oxidation that leads to breakouts.

We suggest combining a ferulic acid product with vitamin C in the morning, for example, Kiehl's Ferulic Brew Antioxidant Facial which is designed to help enhance your radiance and reduce the appearance of fine lines. Follow L'Oréal Paris 10% Pure Vitamin C Serum top and then finish with a broad spectrum sunscreen SPF 30 (or higher).