Ferulic Acid: The Antioxidant-Boosting Skin Care Ingredient
What is ferulic acid?
4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamic acid, also known as ferulic acid, makes up plant cell walls. People ingest ferulic acid regularly through their diets because it is a key component of most fruits and vegetables. It is considered a significant antioxidant and is one of the countless reasons vegetables are so good for you!
It can be found in various fruits, grains, and vegetables like:
- Asparagus
- Barley
- Eggplants
- Grapes
- Oats
- Olives
- Pineapples
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
Ferulic acid is available in both supplemental form and as part of anti-aging serums. It's primarily used to fight off free radicals, which play a role in age-related skin issues, including age spots and wrinkles.
It's also available as a supplement intended for daily use. Some studies suggest that ferulic acid may be helpful for people with diabetes and pulmonary hypertension.But ferulic acid supplements don't appear to have the same potency for skin health as serums containing ferulic acid do.
Ferulic acid is also used for food preservation. Additionally, it's sometimes used by the pharmaceutical industry in some medications. More research is being done on other potential uses for this widely available antioxidant, including for Alzheimer's and cardiovascular diseases.
How is ferulic acid used in skin care?
Ferulic acid is most often used in skin care in cosmetic creams focused on UV protection like suncreens.
Antioxidants like ferulic acid, vitamin C, and vitamin E are also helpful in increasing the shelf life of skin care products.
It is considered one of the best natural compounds for combatting UV damage and hyerpigmentation.
Benefits
The primary benefits attributed to ferulic acid in skin care are its antioxidant and UV absorbing properties.
One study investigating the antioxidant capacity of ferulic acid found that usage either orally or topically might be good at fighting skin cancer. But more research always needs to be done on cancer treatments.
It is used in many sunscreens because in the right conditions it is very good at preventing sun damage and hyperpigmentation.
Outside of skin care, studies have taken place and are ongoing trying to determine the potentially beneficial effects of ferulic acid on:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Diabetes
- Neurodegenerative conditions
- Various cancers
Side effects
Overall, ferulic acid is safe for most skin types. If you have sensitive skin, though, it's a good idea to test a small amount of the product ahead of time, just as you would with any new skin care product.
There's also a possibility of developing an allergic reaction to ferulic acid. This is due to the ingredient it's derived from. For example, if you have an allergy to bran, then you might be sensitive to ferulic acid derived from this plant source.
You should stop using any product containing ferulic acid if you develop any of the following side effects:
- redness
- rash
- hives
- itchiness
- skin peeling
Safety
Ferulic acid is absolutely safe for both topical and oral use. It is biologically standard for the body to metabolize the compound. This ingredient is even safe to use during pregnancy and had reported no toxicity when applied topically. Because ferulic acid is produced as a byproduct of regular plant growing operations, there is no particular environmental impact associated with ferulic acid products either.
Is ferulic acid good in skin care?
In the rights conditions, ferulic acid is considered one of the best antioxidant, UV protecting, skin lightening ingredients in skin care.
For sun damage
Ferulic acid has long been considered an effective photoprotective agent in skin care products.
Other studies have found that it not only absorbs UV radiation to prevent sun damage, it but actually treats and repairs sun damage.
Ferulic acid is most effective in sun damage treatments used in combination with other antioxidant compounds like vitamins C&E.
For hyperpigmentation
Because ferulic acid is considered one of the best natural compounds for absorbing UV radiation, it is used in a number of sun damage treating and skin lightening products.
For wrinkles
Ferulic acid has antioxidant properties, which are commonly found in products designed for aging skin and wrinkles.
Conclusion
Ferulic Acid has been proven to be one of the most effective active ingredients for skin care. It is a powerful skin-lightening active that can help you achieve your skin care goals by reducing tough skin pigmentation and preventing premature aging. It has been proven to boost collagen production and acts as a shield to protect the lipid barrier. In addition, it can also help prevent damage caused by pollution, stress, and UV rays.