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Chances are, you’ve heard of ferulic acid. But if you’re unsure of what, exactly, it offers, you’re not alone. Despite the benefits of ferulic acid for skin—such as delivering antioxidant protection and enhancing the benefits of other, even more potent antioxidants—it has yet to reach the level of being a top-shelf staple like retinol creams or hyaluronic acid serums.
But insiders and experts alike know that a ferulic acid serum can make a meaningful difference in one’s skin. Yes, as an antioxidant it offers protection against free-radical damage, which can otherwise result in collagen loss and hyperpigmentation, but “its real power is how it boosts and stabilizes other antioxidants like vitamins C and E,” says Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New Haven, CT. “Think of it as both a bodyguard and an amplifier for your other skin-care ingredients.”
Vogue’s Top Ferulic Acid Serums
The Ordinary Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3%
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Dr. Dennis Gross Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Eye Serum
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In This Article:
With so many perks of using ferulic acid for skin, there’s little reason not to incorporate the ingredient into your daily routine. Here, the ferulic acid serums worth shopping.
Best Overall: SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic
- Why We Love It: This ferulic acid serum is the “gold standard,” according to both Dr. Gohara and Arash Akhavan, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York, NY. The combination of vitamin C, vitamin E, and ferulic acid—all powerful antioxidants in their own right—maximize their overall efficacy. The resultant antioxidant protection makes it “especially great for normal to dry, aging skin,” says Dr. Gohara. The formula can also address multiple signs of sun damage, including fine lines and wrinkles, discoloration, and skin laxity.
- Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, vitamin E, ferulic acid
- Size: 30 ml
Best for Mature Skin: The Ordinary Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3%
- Why We Love It: Almost like a weightless, quick-absorbing oil, this serum feels luxurious—which is unexpected considering the price tag. The ingredient pairing also punches well above its weight, providing robust antioxidant support to repair and protect skin. In addition to ferulic acid, “resveratrol is another powerful plant-based antioxidant, making this a powerful but lightweight antioxidant serum,” says Dr. Akhavan.
- Key Ingredients: Ferulic acid, resveratrol
- Size: 30 ml
Best for Dark Circles: Dr. Dennis Gross Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Eye Serum
- Why We Love It: While ferulic acid is most often found in the company of other antioxidants, it appears in this weightless eye serum alongside retinol. The ferulic acid serves both to brighten skin and complement “a proprietary retinol blend—including retinol-like, plant-based bakuchiol—to improve firmness and reduce the appearance of crepey skin and wrinkles,” says Brendan Camp, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in the New York City area. That puts it among the best retinols for mature skin, although it’s also a worthwhile option for anyone (at any age) who wants to target dark circles and crow’s feet alike.
- Key Ingredients: Ferulic acid, retinol, rambutan, bakuchiol
- Size: 0.5 fl. oz.
Best with SPF: Vacation Studio Tone SPF 50
- Why We Love It: Ferulic acid doesn’t often appear in makeup products, but then again, these bronzing drops are more than mere makeup. In addition to offering broad-spectrum SPF 50, they’re infused with ferulic acid (as well as ceramides, niacinamide, and vitamin E) to brighten and smooth skin while you wear them. A single layer imparts a sheer—and universally flattering—bronze tint to skin, while additional applications deliver more of a temporary tan.
- Key Ingredients: Ferulic acid, vitamin E, niacinamide, ceramides, collagen peptides
- Size: 30 ml
Best for Sensitive Skin: Tatcha The Brightening Serum
- Why We Love It: Since the debut of SkinCeuticals’s CE Ferulic serum, dozens of brands have tried to replicate the potent combination of vitamin C and ferulic acid. But this is the rare formula to carve out its own niche while doing so. Rather than simple vitamin C, it uses a time-released version of the ingredient that gradually works over the course of 12 hours. Not only does that allow for extended efficacy—for all-day skin repair and defense—but it also makes the vitamin C less likely to irritate sensitive skin types. (It does contain fragrance however, so you may want to steer clear if you have a known sensitivity.)
- Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, ferulic acid, Japanese plum extract
- Size: 30 ml
Best for Hyperpigmentation: Kiehl’s Ferulic Brew Antioxidant Facial Treatment
- Why We Love It: With its name, Kiehl’s Ferulic Brew sounds almost like a magical potion—and in a way, it almost is. Ferulic acid is still at its brightening best, thanks to its antioxidant properties, but lactic acid—a gentle exfoliant that both sloughs away dead cells and hydrates skin—also assists to even out skin tone and encourage a glowing complexion. Also in this hydrating toner: squalane, a stable version of a lipid naturally found in the skin, which helps keep skin calm, comfortable, and properly nourished.
- Key Ingredients: Ferulic acid, lactic acid, squalane
- Size: 100 ml or 200 ml
Everything You Need to Know:
Ferulic acid is an antioxidant found in the cell walls of grains, fruits, and vegetables, according to Dr. Akhavan. It’s those antioxidant properties that drive the benefits of ferulic acid for skin, since it “acts like a shield against free radicals, the unstable molecules from UV light and pollution that speed up skin aging,” says Dr. Gohara.
What are the benefits of ferulic acid for skin?
It’s impossible to talk about ferulic acid (or any antioxidant, really) without first touching on oxidative stress, which is caused by external aggressors like UV exposure and pollution. “Oxidative stress can cause pigmentation issues in the skin, as well as loss of collagen and elastin in the skin leading to fine lines and loss of skin firmness,” says Dr. Akhavan.
As an antioxidant, ferulic acid can help offset this effect in its own right. But research has shown that “one of ferulic acid’s biggest strengths is how it works with other antioxidants,” Dr. Akhavan says. “Ferulic acid helps stabilize both vitamin C and vitamin E, adding to their antioxidant effects.”
On top of that, ferulic acid can also help calm inflammation and lead to a more even and radiant complexion over time, according to Dr. Gohara.
Is ferulic acid better than vitamin C?
A ferulic acid serum isn’t necessarily better than vitamin C. Instead, they work best as a team. “Vitamin C is stronger for collagen production and brightening, but it’s unstable and can irritate some skin types,” says Dr. Gohara. “Ferulic acid makes vitamin C last longer and work harder.”
If you’re seeking pure collagen-boosting power, vitamin C (ideally supplemented with ferulic acid) is your best bet. However, ferulic acid shines for providing antioxidant defense while being gentle on skin. Ultimately, she says, “most people will benefit from combining them.”
Who should use ferulic acid?
Anyone can use ferulic acid for skin, especially if they’re concerned with early signs of aging or live in an area with environmental stressors. “Ferulic acid-containing products are particularly helpful for people who have a lot of oxidative stress on their skin—for example, people who spend a lot of time outdoors or who live in polluted cities,” says Dr. Akhavan.
Dr. Gohara also recommends it to those who are already using vitamin C and want to see more results, as well as “those with sensitive skin who can’t always tolerate strong vitamin C serums,” she says.
- Arash Askhavan, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of The Dermatology and Laser Group in New York, NY.
- Mona Gohara, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in New Haven, CT.
- Brendan Camp, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in the New York City area.
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