What does Ferulic Acid do for skin?

Ferulic Acid is a active used in K-beauty for potent antioxidant, stabilises vitamins C + E, boosts UV protection. The third leg of the vitamin C stool. Makes your antioxidants stronger, stabler, and eight times more UV-protective.

Is Ferulic Acid safe during pregnancy?

There is limited safety data on Ferulic Acid during pregnancy. Exercise caution and consult your healthcare provider before use.

What skin types is Ferulic Acid best for?

Ferulic Acid is particularly well-suited to dull, environmental-damage, mature, normal skin.

What ingredients pair well with Ferulic Acid?

Ferulic Acid layers well with vitamin c, vitamin e, niacinamide. These combinations are common in K-beauty routines and have no known negative interactions.

How strong is the evidence for Ferulic Acid?

We rate the clinical evidence for Ferulic Acid at 5/5 — very strong. 0.5% is the classic SkinCeuticals ratio. Usually only meaningful paired with vitamin C and E.

activeWell-Known

Ferulic Acid

Also known as: ferulate

5/5— Very Strong Evidence

Medically reviewed by ChokChok · Updated April 14, 2026

The third leg of the vitamin C stool. Makes your antioxidants stronger, stabler, and eight times more UV-protective.

What It Does

potent antioxidantstabilises vitamins C + Eboosts UV protection

Deep Dive

Ferulic acid is a plant-derived polyphenol found in the cell walls of oats, rice, apples and oranges. The landmark Duke University paper (Lin et al., 2005) showed that adding 0.5% ferulic acid to a 15% vitamin C + 1% vitamin E serum doubles the photoprotective benefit and meaningfully stabilises the notoriously unstable ascorbic acid. Every credible "CEF" serum — SkinCeuticals, Maelove, Timeless, Skinceuticals dupes — is built on this math. It is rarely useful solo; think of it as the enabler that makes the vitamin C in your serum actually work for months, not days.