What Does Ferulic Do For Skin? | Ferulic Acid Serum
As our skin ages, few cosmetic products appeal to us more than those promising to create a younger, more refreshed look. Decreasing wrinkles and lines on the face and neck can dramatically alter your appearance. Various anti-aging treatments and techniques are available– mainly non-surgical, topical solutions. One such product is ferulic acid serum.
What Is Ferulic Acid?
Ferulic acid is a naturally occurring antioxidant. This substance exists in the cellular walls of plants. Many of these plants are edible, including fruits, vegetables, grains, and nuts. Scientists are researching the possibility of ferulic acid aiding medical improvements, but these studies are still in the early stages of research and testing. These benefits would occur from oral doses of the antioxidant, such as through foods or supplements. While ingesting ferulic acid has little impact on the skin, topical serums are extremely effective in producing noticeable results. Daily application of ferulic acid serum can improve the skin and reduce signs of aging.
The Basics Of Ferulic Acid
Ferulic acid is an antioxidant naturally found in several foods. The name is derived from one of its main sources, the giant fennel. Though, ferulic is also found in other grains and plants such as:
- Oats
- Rice
- Eggplants
- Peanuts
- Spinach
- Rhubarb
- Apples
When ingested orally in food or via supplements, ferulic acid has minimal effects on the skin, if any. However, when topically applied as part of a skincare product like the ferulic acid serum, it can boost other antioxidants and act as a stabilizer for other ingredients, namely Vitamins C and E.
What Does Ferulic Acid Do For Skin?
Ferulic acid is a compound that promotes rejuvenating and anti-aging properties of the skin. Culprits that cause aging are called free radicals. Oxygen molecules with missing electrons, these free radicals are unstable and sometimes destructive to cells. While free radicals are a natural part of the body and its immune system, some of these molecules result from outside environmental factors.
Free radicals are, unfortunately, an inescapable part of life; however, a free radical scavenger does exist. Ferulic acid actively seeks out unstable molecules and neutralizes them. Serum derived from ferulic acid can combat natural and environmental free radicals affecting the skin.
There are many possible benefits of ferulic acid serum. Those suffering from red and inflamed skin from conditions like rosacea can add this serum to their daily routine to help ease their symptoms. While not a wrinkle corrector, daily use of ferulic acid serum can help slow the formation of additional wrinkles and lines. If your skin is thinning and losing its youthful qualities, this serum can produce a firmer appearance and boost your skin’s elasticity. Pairing ferulic acid serum with microneedling can promote collagen development and result in a marked improvement in facial skin.
Preserving Efficacy
Ferulic acid is sensitive to the outside world. This is part of the reason it provides an extra layer of protection for your skin. However, on its own, ferulic acid can oxidize with prolonged exposure to heat, sunlight, or oxygen. This is why ferulic acid serum comes in an opaque bottle. The short time you open the bottle will generally not cause it to oxidize before you can use it. If the serum turns a brownish color and is darker than normal, it likely oxidized and is no longer effective.
To help promote the longevity and efficacy of your ferulic acid serum, store your serum in a cool, dark place. Also, do not leave the serum open to the air for long periods. Finally, pay attention to any major color changes when applying the serum.
The Possible Benefits Of Ferulic Acid
Ferulic acid serum offers users many potential benefits. While not everyone will see the same benefits, studies have shown many benefits of the topical application of ferulic acid. Some of the possible benefits are:
Slows Wrinkles & Fine Line Formation
Fine lines and wrinkles naturally form over time due to a variety of factors including slowed collagen production, sun damage, loss of skin elasticity, and thinning of the skin. Ferulic acid serum can help slow or reduce the impact of some of these factors. This can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Though, it likely will not completely eliminate them because it cannot reverse your current wrinkles.
Help Even Skin Tone
Another side effect of sun damage and aging is that the skin tone becomes less even. You may notice brown age spots or a generally uneven skin tone appear. Ferulic acid serum, especially with other Vitamins and antioxidants such as Vitamins C and E, can help subtly improve the appearance of this unwanted pigmentation. A recent study showed that ferulic acid inhibits tyrosinase activity which is vital for melanin cell production.
The biggest it addresses your skin tone is by helping to prevent or minimize future sun damage. While you should not replace sunscreen with ferulic acid serum, using them together is a great way to promote an improved skin tone over time.
Maintain & Improve Skin Firmness
With age, the skin loses firmness and becomes laxer. Ferulic acid serum can help maintain your current firmness and work with other products and treatments to improve skin firmness. It achieves this by helping to repair and prevent skin cell damage. You may also consider microneedling or chemical peels to promote collagen production.
Treat Inflammation
Skin inflammation can happen at any age. Whether it be due to acne or rosacea, the ferulic acid serum contains natural anti-inflammatory properties. Again, while it is not a treatment for these conditions, it is a good way to daily address the redness that occurs from them to help minimize it. Ferulic acid serum may help prevent breakouts and noticeable discoloration on the surface of the skin.
Reduce Redness
In conjunction with the above, redness is often one of the main symptoms of inflammation, particularly of the skin. Therefore, due to its anti-inflammatory properties, ferulic acid can help reduce redness. It can also help prevent new blood vessels from becoming visible from underneath the skin. If your redness is caused by an unknown skin condition or includes open wounds, refrain from using ferulic acid serum until okayed by a professional.
Protects Against Free Radicals
Free radicals are any damaging particle you may come across outdoors (or from lifestyle choices) in your daily life. This can include air pollution, alcohol, smoke, UV rays, and pesticides. The ferulic acid serum helps protect your skin from these damaging free radicals. It is called a “free radical scavenger” which essentially means that it identifies and hunts down damaged cells and free radicals on the skin, and neutralizes free radicals.
Thus, ferulic acid serum can help prevent damage from free radicals. This has several anti-aging benefits and may help prevent sun damage, wrinkles, pigmentation issues, loss of collagen, and more.
Side Effects Of Ferulic Acid
As with any skincare product, a few people may have minor side effects from ferulic acid serum. In case of irritation, those with sensitive complexions should test the product on a small area of skin before applying it to the face and neck. Possible side effects include:
Redness
Rash
Hives
Itchiness
Though generally safe to use, people with allergies to high ferulic acid foods may react to this topical product. If you experience one or more of the symptoms listed, discontinue using the product and consult a healthcare professional.
Finding The Right Ferulic Acid Serum
When exploring your ferulic acid options, you will likely find many on the market and almost all contain other ingredients such as vitamins or other antioxidants. Determining the right formulation may take time, trial and error, and the advice of a skin expert.
In general, ferulic acid serum tends not to be too irritating for most people, and when it is, the irritation is mild. The irritation will normally go away if you reduce how much or how often you apply the ferulic acid serum. Few people will see ongoing irritation from it.
Based on this information, some of the ingredients unlikely to cause skin irritation and which go well with ferulic acid serum include:
- Hyaluronic acid: Extremely moisturizing and safe for most skin types.
- Vitamin C: Unlikely to be irritating, but may be at higher concentrations.
- Glycerin: A common ingredient in skincare products, especially moisturizers.
- Resveratrol: Another naturally occurring antioxidant commonly found in skincare products.
For people starting ferulic acid serum for the first time or those with sensitive skin, it is generally recommended that they start with a more hydrating formula with gentler ingredients to see how their skin reacts before moving to more aggressive treatments and ingredients.
Other ingredients you may find combined in ferulic acid serum may have the potential to be more irritating, but are usually for a specific purpose. In these cases, if you have a specific condition, these formulations may be right for you.
- Retinol: It’s not overly common to find ferulic acid and retinol in the same product, but there are some out there. This can be too much for inexperienced users and it is generally best if your skin is used to retinol treatment already.
- Vitamin E: Vitamin E is usually found in small concentrations in most ferulic acid serums which is unlikely to irritate. Though, in larger concentrations, you will want to use caution.
- Salicylic Acid: This combination is best for people with extremely oily skin or who get frequent acne breakouts. It may be too drying for others.
High-Quality Ferulic Acid
Formulated by renowned plastic surgeon Dr. Javad Sajan, our ferulic acid serum is a top-tier product designed to promote youthful, glowing skin. If you’re looking for a way to brighten your skin and reduce the signs of aging, try our ferulic acid serum (available for purchase through our website & our Amazon Page).
Frequenty Asked Questions
Shop Ferulic Acid Serum
Our ferulic acid serum is an all-around serum for daily use. You can learn more and purchase through our Amazon store or via our website.
Disclaimer: Ferulic acid serum is a cosmetic product. This product is not FDA approved. Ferulic acid is not a drug and it does not treat any medical conditions.
