Ingredient In Focus: Ferulic Acid – Packing a Powerful Antioxidant Punch!
Once one of the lesser known acids in the skincare world, ferulic acid is no longer in the shadows due to its powerful synergistic abilities.
What is Ferulic Acid and why does your skin need it?
Ferulic acid is a potent natural, plant-based antioxidant that acts as a self-preserving, protective element for the fruit or plant.
It is a naturally occurring AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid) which can exfoliate the uppermost layers of skin when formulated correctly and is also part of the hydroxycinnamic acids family – a class of aromatic acids or phenylpropanoids.
Ferulic acid has been pulled out of the shadows and thrust in to the spotlight due to its free radical scavenging ability and its capability to synergistically boost the effectiveness of other antioxidants, such as Vitamins A, C, and E.
Like other antioxidants, ferulic acid is designed to reduce the aging effects that damaging free radicals have on our skin.
Key Benefits of Ferulic Acid in Skin Care Products:
· Assists in skin's regeneration of healthy cells
· Supports collagen production
· Helps to improve the skin’s natural barrier function
· Brightens the skin, improves texture & evens uneven skin tone
· Suitable for all skin types - particularly aging and sun damaged skin
· Works well as a preventative anti-aging product
· Protects overall skin integrity by reducing the development of fine lines, spots, and wrinkles
· Helps to stabilise & enhance the efficacy of Vitamin C and E
· Fights off free radicals!
Australian Native Extracts That are Naturally High in Ferulic Acid
Harness this potent natural molecule in its pure, native form through CELLULAR EXTRACTION:
Finger Lime – Its caviar fruit peals contain a range of potent phyto-active compounds, such as tryptophan and the world breakthrough in delivering natural Vitamin C
Desert Lime - With 9 phyto-active compounds this extract offers one source for: hydration, de-pigmentation, collagen synthesis, brightening, wrinkle reduction and anti-aging!
Kangaroo Paw Flower - ‘Wild Harvested’ Kangaroo Paw offers an interesting range of phyto-active compounds, including sugar alcohol, that are known for their positive effects on skin repair, hydration and anti-aging
Finger Lime & Desert Lime are nature’s chemists! Their CELLULAR EXTRACTS offer natural formulation of ferulic acid and Vitamin C.
Both of these Aussie natives are powerful supporters of your skin’s microbiome and great for sensitised, traumatised skin such as eczema and dermatitis.
Keen to know about the best CELLULAR EXTRACTS containing ferulic acid and how they can benefit your skin care range? Email us your product brief and objectives - We’ll help you design your natural heroes!
Why Skin Loves Ferulic Acid
Oxidative stress in the skin’s tissue is a key reason why our skin ages. This oxidative stress is caused by free radicals overtaking our skins antioxidant defence and can result in visible signs of aging such as wrinkles, dullness, age spots and loss of elasticity. It’s important to boost the levels of antioxidants in our skin, as they are there to fight free radicals and prevent damage from occurring in the first place.
Synergistic Tendencies – Upping its Antioxidant Punch + Helping Stabilise Vitamin C
Ferulic acid tends to work well with other antioxidant ingredients, especially Vitamin C.
Vitamin C is a common ingredient found in many anti-aging skin care products; however, it isn’t very shelf-stable on its own, as it degrades quickly, especially when exposed to sunlight … Except in our innovation of CELLULAR EXTRACTION – now you can access the powerful natural Vitamin C. We can harness this highly unstable molecule for 24 months in an aqueous format – ask us how!
Ferulic acid is thought to help stabilise Vitamin C while also increasing its photo-protection or ability to minimise sun damage.
A 2005 study suggests that ferulic acid has the potential to offer twice the amount of photoprotection when combined with Vitamins C and E. It was also noted that such antioxidant combinations could reduce someone’s risk of future photo-aging and, possibly, skin cancer, though these effects aren’t fully understood yet. That makes these native limes even more exciting!
Beware of Synthetic Imposters - Be Skin Conscious!
Not all versions of this ingredient are created equal!
Beware of the synthetic versions which can be hiding in your skin care products. Wherever possible look for natural, pure and active ferulic acid. CELLULAR EXTRACTION gives you the first water soluble full plant profiles of popular botanical and new sources.
Overall this acid is a safe ingredient for most skin types. If you have very sensitive skin, you may have a negative reaction and 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). It comes down to how it is delivered.
There’s also a small possibility of developing an allergic reaction to ferulic acid, due to the ingredient it’s derived from. For example, if you have a bran allergy, then you might be sensitive to ferulic acid derived from this specific plant source.
Moving Beyond Skin Care – Ferulic Acid has a Myriad of Uses!
While ferulic acid is primarily used in anti-aging products and skin care ranges, it is also used for food preservation and in some medications by the pharmaceutical industry. Supplements are starting to appear on the market and experts are working to see if ferulic acid has other benefits too.
What our extensive plant profiling tells us is that some Australian Natives offer a stunning combination of Ferulic Acid, Vitamin C and tryptophan.
Developing a nutraceutical or pharmaceutical product line? Talk to us about which CELLULAR EXTRACTS are packed full of ferulic acid - Email us your product brief and objectives - We’ll help you design your natural heroes!
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