Ferulic Acid

A hydroxycinnamic acid found in plant cell walls that is a potent antioxidant in its own right and uniquely effective at stabilising and potentiating other antioxidants. When combined with 15% L-ascorbic acid and 1% tocopherol (vitamin E), ferulic acid at 0.5% has been shown in human studies to double the photoprotective effect of the combination and significantly improve its stability — formulations containing all three remain active for considerably longer. On its own, it scavenges reactive oxygen species from UV exposure. Most commonly seen as a supporting ingredient in vitamin C serums rather than a primary active. High-concentration stand-alone ferulic acid products are rare.