Ferulic Acid
Plant-derived hydroxycinnamic acid. Standalone antioxidant that enhances and stabilizes vitamins C and E in cosmetic formulas
Evidence by route
Topical application
The combination with vitamins C and E is the best studied. It doubled photoprotection on pig skin. In humans, the ready-made serum was compared only with its vehicle, and the share of ferulic acid was not measured. On its own, ferulic acid was tested in one RCT in rosacea as an add-on to doxycycline and in a small split-face study by the raw-material maker
- 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. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2008;59(3):418-25. PMID 18603326
- Roux J et al. Ferulic Acid Use for Skin Applications: A Systematic Review. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2025;18(5):38-42. PMID 40538529
- Wang X et al. Ferulic Acid in the Treatment of Papulopustular Rosacea: A Randomized Controlled Study. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2025;24(1):e16611. PMID 39413013
- Zhou J et al. Exploratory study on the effect of ferulic acid derived from rice bran on dull skin. Drug Discov Ther. 2026;20(3):245-253. PMID 42324157
- Saija A et al. In vitro and in vivo evaluation of caffeic and ferulic acids as topical photoprotective agents. Int J Pharm. 2000;199(1):39-47. PMID 10794925
- Lin FH et al. Ferulic acid stabilizes a solution of vitamins C and E and doubles its photoprotection of skin. J Invest Dermatol. 2005;125(4):826-32. PMID 16185284
How to read tiers A–F
- BLimited evidence. One RCT or several controlled studies with limitations
Tolerability and safety
- Working concentrations
- The 0.5% concentration was studied only within a serum with 15% vitamin C and 1% vitamin E (Lin 2005, Murray 2008). On its own, 1% in a cream was tested in a split-face study by the raw-material maker. The melanin index fell (Zhou 2026)
- Irritation potential
- Low
- Allergen risk
- Low
- Pregnancy
- Unknown
- Suitable for
- Normal, Dry, Combination, Sensitive
Combinations with other ingredients
Works well with
L-Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)
Ferulic acid stabilizes vitamin C and doubles the formula's photoprotective properties. They work as a single antioxidant network.
Tocopherol (Vitamin E)
In the C + E + ferulic trio, ferulic acid traps free radicals that C and E don't catch alone. This triad is the gold standard of daytime antioxidant care.
About this ingredient
Ferulic acid is a plant hydroxycinnamic acid and an antioxidant. For cosmetics it is often obtained from rice bran. Formulators mainly use it to stabilize vitamins C and E. On pig skin, adding 0.5% ferulic acid to 15% L-ascorbic acid and 1% alpha-tocopherol improved the vitamins' stability. It also doubled photoprotection, from about 4-fold to about 8-fold (Lin 2005). In humans, the three-ingredient serum was compared only with its vehicle. After 4 days, skin irradiated with 2–10 minimal erythema doses had less erythema, fewer sunburn cells and fewer thymine dimers (Murray 2008). The sample was small, and the share of ferulic acid was not measured. On its own, a ferulic acid solution protected volunteers' skin from UVB erythema. The abstract gives no figures (Saija 2000). An RCT enrolled 60 patients with papulopustular rosacea, all taking doxycycline. After 6 weeks, the response rate was 80.0% with a ferulic acid solution versus 63.3% with saline. The abstract does not describe blinding (Wang 2025). In a single-blind split-face study of 24 women, one side was treated with a 1% cream and the other with placebo cream. The melanin index fell on the ferulic acid side. Most authors work for the raw-material maker (Zhou 2026). A review of 18 human studies notes small samples and mixed formulas (Roux 2025). In the rosacea trial, 30% reported greasiness and 3.3% tingling and itching, with no serious events. There are no data on use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ferulic Acid safe during pregnancy?
Safety data for Ferulic Acid during pregnancy is insufficient. Best avoided when in doubt.
What skin types is Ferulic Acid for?
Ferulic Acid suits: normal, dry, combination, sensitive.
What is Ferulic Acid and what does it do in cosmetics?
Plant-derived hydroxycinnamic acid.
What's the INCI name for Ferulic Acid?
The INCI name is Ferulic Acid.
What concentration of Ferulic Acid is effective?
The 0.5% concentration was studied only within a serum with 15% vitamin C and 1% vitamin E (Lin 2005, Murray 2008). On its own, 1% in a cream was tested in a split-face study by the raw-material maker. The melanin index fell (Zhou 2026)
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