Ferulic Acid : Ingredient Breakdown

Ferulic Acid- What the hell is it and why should I use it?

chemical structure of ferulic acid

There's been a good amount of buzz with regards to Ferulic Acid used in combination with vitamins C and E. And with good reason.

To break it down, ferulic acid works synergistically to improve LAA stability by about 90% and vitamin E stability 100%. A small amount, only .5%, achieves this. Ferulic acid is essentially able to double the efficacy of vitamins c and e. Ferulic acid goes on to protect against DNA damage and it is antimutigenic. Moreover, it is a potent antioxidant, providing photoprotection and effectively protecting against UV radiation.

The combination of LAA (15%), vitamin e (1%) and ferulic acid (.5%), "efficiently reduced thymine dimer formation. This combination of pure natural low molecular weight antioxidants provides meaningful synergistic protection against oxidative stress in skin and should be useful for protection against photoaging and skin cancer." Translation: thymine dimers are the main kind of DNA damage caused by UVR exposure; thus ferulic acid is effective at preventing and protecting against DNA damage.

This concentration (15: 1: .5) is the same concentration of Skinceuticals 'revolutionary' new (157.00 dollar- jesus) product. However, you can find ferulic acid on its own here for an absolute fraction of the skinceuticals cost.

Even better, pH does not effect absorption rates of ferulic acid , so using it with LAA in a low 3pH solution is still very much effective for your skin. Some findings argue that the lower pH allows it to work even better.

When compared with other 'magical compounds' like CoQ10 and Idebenone, ferulic acid, LAA and vitamin E blow them out of the water with regards to photoprotection. This opens the door to ferulic acid having some potential use in sunscreen.

This abstract further discusses the antioxidant potential of ferulic acid. "Ferulic acid is a ubiquitous plant constituent that arises from the metabolism of phenylalanine and tyrosine. It occurs primarily in seeds and leaves both in its free form and covalently linked to lignin and other biopolymers. Due to its phenolic nucleus and an extended side chain conjugation, it readily forms a resonance stabilized phenoxy radical which accounts for its potent antioxidant potential. UV absorption by ferulic acid catalyzes stable phenoxy radical formation and thereby potentiates its ability to terminate free radical chain reactions. By virtue of effectively scavenging deleterious radicals and suppressing radiation-induced oxidative reactions, ferulic acid may serve an important antioxidant function in preserving physiological integrity of cells exposed to both air and impinging UV radiation. Similar photoprotection is afforded to skin by ferulic acid dissolved in cosmetic lotions. Its addition to foods inhibits lipid peroxidation and subsequent oxidaive spoilage. By the same mechanism ferulic acid may protect against various inflammatory diseases. A number of other industrial applications are based on the antioxidant potential of ferulic acid."

And now we've come to the best part of the ingredient breakdown- the list of awesome products containing ferulic acid.

- Clinique: Super Rescue Antioxidant Night Moisturizer
- Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare: Clinical Concentrate Radiance Booster
- Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare: Ferulic Acid & Retinol Brightening Solution
- Lise Watier Skin Care: L'Experience Age Spot Control Serum
- Mad Hippie- Vitamin C Serum
- Paula's Choice: Resist Advanced Replenishing Toner
- Paula's Choice: Resist Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum

And if you hate money
- SkinCeuticals: C E Ferulic Combination Antioxidant Treatment

[Disclosure: Some research contained herein was sponsored by SkinCeuticals or done by individuals associated with the company.]

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