Benefits of Ferulic Acid in Skin Care

by Andy Cheng Director

Ferulic acid is a type of plant-based antioxidant that is found naturally in many seeds of fruits, nuts, grains and some vegetables. In nature, this powerful compound acts as a protective element, defending the inner layers from external aggressors.

Researchers found that ferulic acid also offers health benefits when taken orally as a dietary supplement, treating or preventing high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer and diseases caused by oxidative stress.

In this article, we will focus on the benefits of ferulic acid on skin health.

What does it do for the skin?

Being a relatively new super antioxidant, ferulic acid is unlikely a product you will have in your range of skin care collection.

When it comes to anti-ageing, most, if not all of us are trying to reduce fine lines, wrinkles, discoloration and retard the damage of skin cells and free radicals. The primary role of ferulic acid in skin care is to fight off free radicals.

In particular, the antioxidant compounds in ferulic acid directly targets the free radicals that are responsible for DNA damage and accelerated cell ageing.

Other than curbing the production of free radicals, ferulic acid is also found to create a protective barrier and encourage the skin’s healing process. The antioxidants present in ferulic acid contain anti-inflammatory properties that reduce inflammation and inhibit melanin production.

As a phytochemical that is organic in nature, it is gentle and mild on most skin types. It works very well on most skin types even for those with sensitive skin.

Enhances antioxidants in your skincare

You may have noticed that ferulic acid serum usually contains other antioxidants such as vitamins C and E. This is because ferulic acid has a unique capability of improving the chemical stability of vitamins C and E when mixed together.

In addition, researchers have found that photoprotection and benefits of vitamins C and E are enhanced by measuring the erythema and damage of skin cells due to UV exposure.

Adverse effects of ferulic acid

Despite being an organic compound, which is very safe, there is still a chance of causing allergy in some people. For example, if it was extracted from bran, you may have an adverse reaction if you have a grain allergy.

Just like all skincare products, always make sure you give it a patch test before applying it on your whole face, especially if you have sensitive skin. If you don’t see any reaction to the product after 24 hours, you should be able to use the product as directed.