The ingredient, explained

Ferulic Acid

An antioxidant ingredient studied topically in combinations with other antioxidants.

AntioxidantAntimicrobial

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Ingredient guide

What it is and what it does

4-Hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamic acid

About this ingredient: EU CosIng ingredient registry (via Open Beauty Facts taxonomy) ↗

Antioxidant: Limits oxidation, including deterioration of formulation ingredients. This label alone does not show a clinical antioxidant effect in skin.
Antimicrobial: A technical role associated with controlling microorganisms on skin.

Function definitions: European Commission ingredient function definitions (SCCNFP/0299/00, pages 16 to 20) ↗

Registry functions describe possible formulation roles, not results for a finished product. A dictionary entry is not an approval or a safety assessment.

A closer look

What the research shows

Human research on a combination

A small human study tested 15% L-ascorbic acid, 1% alpha-tocopherol and 0.5% ferulic acid against a vehicle before experimental ultraviolet exposure. Another study in ten volunteers tested vitamin C, ferulic acid and phloretin. Both mixtures reduced measured markers of ultraviolet damage.

What this does not tell us

These short experiments measured local skin responses, not long-term ageing or skin-cancer prevention. Neither trial isolates ferulic acid. The findings do not establish another serum's performance or replace sunscreen.

Sources for this summary. PubMed 18603326 ↗PubMed 19146606 ↗

Research review checked Sep 30, 2026

Selected primary sources were reviewed for the existing research brief on 30 September 2026, with exact ingredient, route and combination limitations recorded. This was a bounded editorial review, not a systematic search.

Ingredient research is not proof that a product containing this ingredient works.

Read the 2 selected studies

Human research on a combination · n=10
Protective effects of a topical antioxidant mixture containing vitamin C, ferulic acid, and phloretin against ultraviolet-induced photodamage in human skin. ↗
Journal of cosmetic dermatology · 2008
Human research on a combination
A topical antioxidant solution containing vitamins C and E stabilized by ferulic acid provides protection for human skin against damage caused by ultraviolet irradiation. ↗
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology · 2008

Follow the formula

Products containing this ingredient

All 40 products ↗

From the Serenfold edit. Linked by the ingredient list, without an efficacy ranking.

SkinCeuticals

C E Ferulic

Serums · 17 linked ingredients

Inside the formula

Names and identifiers

Registry identity