What Is It? Ferulic Acid

​I'd like to start a new series on here called "What Is It?" it'll have it's own category and focus on ingredients, especially ingredients that we're seeing a lot of in skincare products or just newly discovered ingredients. I think that the more you know about your products or the ingredients behind products the better judge you'll be if that product is for your skin concerns. I tend to think an educated mind makes you a force to be reckoned with because you won't be easily gullible to marketing.

​So today I want to talk about Ferulic Acid. I'm seeing it everywhere. It's one of the 2 ingredients that I see the most in mainstream skincare and new skincare launches. Everyone is talking and using Ferulic Acid. It's not necessarily new but it hasn't been super common through the year. I feel like we're going to get and see more and more of it as it gets more popular. 

Ferulic Acid is (according to Paula's Choice): "Plant-based, phenolic antioxidant that is found in bran, among other plants. Research has shown that it provides antioxidant benefits to skin while enhancing the stability of topical applications of antioxidant vitamins C and E. It also helps defend skin against environmental assault." It's Antioxidant, Perservative and UV Light Absorber and Antimicrobial.  

Antimicrobial means that it kills or stops the growth of microorganisims and it's often used as a disinfectant. So while that sounds harsh it's not really because when you cleanse your skin and tone is with acids you're disinfecting the area somewhat.

What I think is cool about Ferulic Acid is that it absorbs UV light and fights against free radicals thanks to it's antioxidant properties. It's also been studied and used the most for it's antioxidant properties being deemed a "Super Antioxidant". However, it's quite unstable and apparently not easy to make and that's why I think it's good to know what you can about ingredients. 

According to Wikapedia: "Ferulic acid, like many natural phenols, is an antioxidant in vitro in the sense that it is reactive toward free radicals such as reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS and free radicals are implicated in DNA damage, cancer, and accelerated cell aging.
If added to a topical preparation of ascorbic acid and vitamin E, ferulic acid may reduce oxidative stress and formation of thymine dimers in skin. There is also a small amount of research showing oral supplements of ferulic acid can inhibit melanin production in the process of skin whitening."

By itself, Ferulic Acid can be helpful with protecting your skin from the sun and harmful rays and also can reverse damage, when combined with other antioxidants (c and E) it protects even more and is a "super antioxidant". It can promote collagen and be helpful for skin's elasticity and give a more youthful appearance. With regular use in a good formula you should notice softer and smoother skin as well.

So that's the skinny on Ferulic Acid. Next up we're gonna discuss Reservatrol.

Here are some synonyms for Ferulic Acid: 
2-PROPENOIC ACID, 3- (4-HYDROXY-3-METHOXYPHENYL) -; 3- (4-HYDROXY) -3-METHOXYPHENYL) -2-PROPENOIC ACID; 3- (4-HYDROXY-3-METHOXYPHENYL) - 2-PROPENOIC ACID; 3- (4-HYDROXY-3-METHOXYPHENYL) -2-PROPENOIC ACID; 4-HYDROXY-3-METHOXY- CINNAMIC ACID; 4-HYDROXY-3-METHOXYCINNAMIC ACID; CINNAMIC ACID, 4-HYDROXY-3-METHOXY-; CONIFERIC ACID; 3- (4-HYDROXY-3-METHOXYPHENYL) -2-PROPENOIC ACID; 4-HYDROXY-3-METHOXY CINNAMMIC ACID; CINNAMIC ACID, 4-HYDROXY-3-METHOXY-