Ferulic acid

INCI: FERULIC ACID

How it works:

Ferulic acid is a potent antioxidant found in the cell walls of plants (rice, oats, seeds of apples and oranges) where it plays a central role in the plants' self-protection.

When applied topically, ferulic acid acts as an antioxidant, and it helps to slow the aging process by reducing the effects of free radicals. It also protects skin against sun damage by assisting the skin's regeneration and protecting skin that has been over-exposed to sun radiation.

Ferulic acid stabilizes and enhances the efficacy of vitamins E and C.

There is also a study called “Ferulic acid stabilizes a solution of vitamins C and E and doubles its photoprotection of skin” (2), which shows that a combination of ferulic acid, vitamin C and vitamin E doubled photoprotection of solar-simulated irradiation of skin from 4-fold to approximately 8-fold, as measured by both erythema and sunburn cell formation.

(2) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16185284/

Ferulic acid slows the signs of aging with its ability to fight free radicals and decelerate aging caused by oxidation. Because of its ability to stabilize other highly-oxidative antioxidants such as vitamin C, it makes other skincare ingredients more effective.

Further scientifically relevant research regarding ferulic acid: