What Is Ferulic Acid?

Ferulic acid is an organic compound found in anti-aging skin creams and serums. It is also a dietary supplement. Some studies suggest it can neutralize free radicals, unstable molecules that damage and age cells.

Topical application (on the skin) of ferulic acid aims to protect the skin from aging, sun damage, and skin cancer. As a supplement, some researchers have cited it as a potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, and other health conditions.

However, all research on ferulic acid is in its early stages. Assuring its safety and effectiveness for general use will require much more.

This article looks at the purported benefits of ferulic acid, its side effects, and precautions you should consider before taking it. It also covers proper dosages and possible interactions with medications or other supplements.

Ferulic Acid Skin Care Benefits

Researchers believe that ferulic acid may offer multiple beneficial health effects and can function as an:

• Antioxidant (fighting cellular damage)
• Anti-inflammatory (fighting inflammation)
• Antimicrobial (fighting infection)

In skin care products, its common purposes include:

• Minimizing or reversing signs of aging
• Protecting the skin from sun damage
• Preventing skin cancer

As a supplement, it may have benefits for some medical conditions.

A healthcare professional, such as a registered dietitian, pharmacist, or healthcare provider, should individualize and vet supplement use. No supplement's purpose is to treat, cure, or prevent disease.

Anti-Aging Benefits

Ferulic acid is best known for its purported anti-aging properties. For example, a small study suggested there were skin health benefits in males who took ferulic acid in capsule form.

As an antioxidant, ferulic acid fights free radicals and may slow the aging process at the cellular level. Some experts suspect that free radicals play a role in preventing wrinkles (and other visible signs of aging in your skin) by protecting important structures such as collagen and elastin.

Ferulic acid has its own antioxidant properties and can also make other antioxidants more effective. For that reason, those who take it often do so alongside common antioxidants such as vitamin C and vitamin E.

Treat Hyperpigmentation

Ferulic acid can be used to limit wrinkles but also for skin lightening and sun protection, though more study is needed to confirm these benefits. The antioxidant properties can help to treat age spots (it limits melanin pigmentation).

Ferulic acid also has been studied as a compound found in Fibigia clypeata plant extracts, with possible benefits in treating hyperpigmentation. The research evidence is mixed on its benefits for this purpose.

May Improve Microneedling Treatment

Microneedling is a cosmetic procedure in which hundreds of tiny needles (0.5 to 1.5 millimeters long) are applied to the skin and enter the collagen layer. It is used to stimulate healing and rejuvenation.

One small study suggests that combining ferulic acid with microneedling may enhance skin elasticity compared to ferulic acid alone. However, further study is needed to confirm the results.

Sun Exposure and Skin Cancer

Most studies of ferulic acid and sun damage use it along with vitamins C and E, not by itself. Even so, some believe it to have protective properties on its own along with boosting the effects of other skin protectants.

Studies suggest that the antioxidant activity of ferulic acid protects your skin from the sun's damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays. This protection against photoaging (sun-related damage) may limit risk of other health conditions, including skin cancer and inflammation-related diseases.

Though research is ongoing, ferulic acid and vitamins C and E, added to sunscreens, may prove beneficial.

Other Benefits of Ferulic Acid Supplement

As a dietary supplement, studies have investigated ferulic acid for its possible benefits for those who have:

• Alzheimer's disease
• High cholesterol
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Diabetes
• Cancer

However, current research support for oral supplementation with ferulic acid is limited and most studies' subjects have been animals rather than humans. There is not yet enough evidence to support these ferulic acid uses in human health.

Ferulic Acid Side Effects

Ferulic acid serums and creams are generally safe for most skin types. However, they're not safe for everyone. For example, if you have sensitive skin, a topical product can cause redness and irritation.

If you take ferulic acid orally (as an ingredient of dong quai (Angelica sinensis) used in traditional Chinese medicine, for example), you may experience:

• Light sensitivity affecting your eyes and skin
• Loss of appetite
• Bloating
• Diarrhea
  

Allergic Reactions

If you're allergic to bran or oatmeal, you may also have an allergy to ferulic acid serums derived from bran or oats. Ferulic acid is found in these foods. Symptoms are usually mild, typical of allergic reaction, and may include:

• Redness
• Swelling
• Itching
• Rash
• Peeling

Stop using the product right away if you have any of these symptoms.

Precautions

Never take ferulic acid skin care products internally (by eating them).

Science knows little about the long-term safety of ferulic acid supplements. Because it's derived from food, most presume ferulic acid is safe. Still, no research has established how much a person needs to take to overdose.

The safety of ferulic acid (and its use in products like dong quai) remains unknown in children and pregnant or nursing people.

Given the lack of research, talk to your healthcare provider before taking it. They may want to monitor you for side effects or drug interactions.

Dosage: How Much Ferulic Acid Should I Take?

For ferulic acid skin care products, follow the instructions on the label or those given to you by a dermatologist. Always keep supplements out of reach of children and pets.

Very little data is available about ferulic acid dosage and no guidelines are in place for ferulic acid supplements. Most are sold as 250-milligram (mg) tablets to be taken once daily with or without food.

As a rule of thumb, never exceed the recommended dose on the product label. There's no evidence that higher doses lead to better results.

Interactions

Researchers know very little about drug interactions with ferulic acid. Studies have shown that ferulic acid combined with the anticoagulant Plavix (clopidogrel) can increase the absorption of ferulic acid in rats.

Sources of Ferulic Acid and What to Look For

Ferulic acid is found in several plant-based foods. It comes from the cell walls of:

• Rice
• Wheat
• Oats
• Pineapple
• Grasses
• Grains
• Vegetables

Commercial ferulic acid is generally derived from cereal grains.

Ferulic acid skin care products are available online as well as at many drugstores and higher-end cosmetic counters. Some retailers sell it as luxury skin care products at a hefty price despite the lack of firm evidence that it's effective.

Food Sources of Ferulic Acid

There is ferulic acid in some grains, seeds, legumes, fruits, and vegetables. Cooking can often increase the amount of ferulic acid in foods by breaking down the cellular compartments that store\ it; this is particularly true of grains.

Some ferulic acid-rich foods include:

• Apple seeds
• Barley
• Bran
• Citrus fruits
• Corn
• Eggplant
• Flaxseed bread
• Navy beans
• Oatmeal
• Popcorn
• Rice
• Rice bran oil
• Rye bread

Ferulic Acid Supplements

Ferulic acid supplements are available online and in certain drugstores and shops specializing in dietary supplements. Keep in mind that ferulic acid from foods is easier for your body to use than supplements, though.

Ferulic acid may come as its own supplement or in a combination product (like dong quai) that contains several other ingredients. Always read the product label to check for additional ingredients you may be allergic to or don't need.

Because dietary supplements are not strictly regulated in the United States, the quality can vary from one brand to the next. Opt for brands independently tested by a recognized certifying body like the U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP), ConsumerLab, or the National Science Foundation (NSF) to ensure quality.

Summary

Studies suggest ferulic acid has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. It is often an ingredient in skin care products meant to prevent or reverse signs of aging and to prevent sun damage and skin cancer.

Ferulic acid also is under study as an oral supplement for various conditions, but there's not enough research-based evidence to support its use in specific conditions.

Discuss health concerns and treatment plans for medical conditions with your healthcare provider. Make sure to review the risks of benefits of supplements in addition to traditional therapies with your healthcare provider.