Ferulic Acid

PhytochemicalHydroxycinnamic acidBest in the morningBest taken with food

What is it

Ferulic acid is a phenolic antioxidant found in plant cell walls, especially in grains, fruits, and vegetables. It is widely used in topical skin care products and is increasingly available in oral supplement form.

Evidence for 1 use

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

UV-induced skin damage (topical)

Good Evidence

Several clinical and in vivo studies of ferulic acid combined with vitamins C and E demonstrate reduced UV-induced erythema and photodamage when applied topically before sun exposure.

How it works

Ferulic acid scavenges free radicals, particularly reactive oxygen species, through its phenolic hydroxyl group. It can stabilize and enhance the activity of other antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, which is why it is often paired with them in skin serums. Orally, ferulic acid is absorbed in the small intestine and metabolized by the liver. In topical applications, it penetrates the stratum corneum and has been shown to reduce UV-induced skin damage in clinical studies, particularly when formulated with L-ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol.

Dosage

No RDA, AI, or UL. Oral supplemental doses studied range from 100-500 mg/day. Topical products typically contain 0.5-1% ferulic acid.

When and how to take it

Topical: typically applied in the morning as part of an antioxidant serum, ideally followed by sunscreen. Oral: take with meals to support absorption.

2 commercial forms

Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.

Topical serum (with vitamins C and E)

Most studied form (e.g., SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic and generics).

Stabilizes vitamin C; penetrates stratum corneum.

Oral ferulic acid

Sold in some antioxidant supplements.

Absorbed in small intestine and metabolized in liver; bioavailability is moderate.

Safety

Generally well tolerated both orally and topically. Possible mild gastrointestinal upset with high oral doses. Topical use rarely causes irritation.

Who should be cautious

Avoid topical use on broken or severely irritated skin. People on anticoagulants should mention high-dose oral use to their clinician. Limited safety data in pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Interactions

May have mild antiplatelet activity at higher doses. Theoretical interactions with diabetes medications because of mild glucose-lowering activity in animal studies.

Food sources

Rice bran

Amount
1 tbsp
%DV
—

Whole wheat bran

Amount
1 oz (28 g)
%DV
—

Oats

Amount
1/2 cup dry
%DV
—

Frequently asked questions

Does ferulic acid replace sunscreen?⌄

No. Topical antioxidants like ferulic acid complement sunscreen by neutralizing UV-induced free radicals that get through, but they don't block UV themselves. Use both.

Is oral ferulic acid as effective as topical?⌄

The strongest evidence for ferulic acid is from topical use combined with vitamins C and E. Oral data are smaller and less clearly translated to skin benefits.

References

Ferulic Acid on Wikidata — Wikidata link

Ferulic Acid (ChEBI:17620) — ChEBI link

Ferulic Acid (PubChem CID 445858) — PubChem link

Ferulic Acid on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Ferulic Acid (PubMed search) — PubMed link

Track Ferulic Acid with Pilora

Set up dose reminders, check interactions, and join the community in the Pilora iPhone app.

Coming to App Store
Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.