Ferulic Acid and What It Does For Your Skin

What is Ferulic Acid?

Ferulic acid is an ingredient that is great at 'prevention.' This ingredient does a great job at deflecting outside factors that are constantly trying to harm our skin. Ferulic acid is a great antioxidant that aids in preventing sun damage to the skin.

Now, let's get a little more technical. Ferulic Acid is a phytochemical that is found in plant cell wall components. It plays a key role in the plants self preservation mechanism, reinforcing the cellular wall strength and protects them from sun damage & microbial damage.

Ferulic Acid can be found in many fruits, grains, seeds & vegetables, such as: eggplants, peanuts, tomatos, radish, brocolli, carrots, parsnip, bamboo shoots, and many more.

This ingredient is a reactive toward free radicals (which are implicated in DNA damage, cancer & accelerated cell aging. Studies have shown that exposure to ultraviolet light actuallyincreases the antioxidant power of Ferulic Acid.

How Does Ferulic Acid Benefit The Skin?

Since Ferulic Acid is an antioxidant, it helps to neutralize free radicals AND also prevents their formation (such a UV exposure, pollution, etc.)  Free radicals destroy the skins collagen and diminish the amount of overall elastin in the skin. It also has an anti-inflammatory effect. 

Ferulic Acid is often referred to as a ‘time reverser.’ Because Ferulic Acid is great at correcting dark spots caused by post acne marks and stimulating collagen products, it is a great ingredient to incorporate into your skincare routine to fade your acne scars. 

Skin benefits of Ferulic Acid:

• Fades acne scars
• Prevents fine lines and wrinkles. 
• Helps to maintain skin firmness
• Soothes inflammation
• Reduces redness in the skin
• Lightens dark spots from acne

If added to a topical preparation of ascorbic acid and vitamin E, ferulic acid may reduce oxidative stress and the formation of thymine dimers ( which is a form of DNA damage caused by UV ) in skin. This is because it has been demonstrated to be an antioxidant extender, for many of the other antioxidants.  In particular the combination of Vitamins C, and E, were shown to double their photo protective capacity on the skin.