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Why Ferulic Acid will turbo charge your C serum

The ESK blog

Why Ferulic Acid will turbo charge your C serum

26 October 2021

Dr Ginni Mansberg

What is ferulic acid?

Ferulic acid is a potent plant antioxidant, mainly found in seeds and leaves.

What does it do?

On its own, it helps prevent damage from UV radiation through its antioxidant function. It has also been shown to have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anti-cancer activity in studies.

Research shows it protects skin cells, collagen, elastin. It inhibits the creation of pigment in the skin as well as inhibiting tyrosinase (which further helps its depigmentation powers).

Plus, it helps with the creation of new blood vessels, and accelerates wound healing.

But like so many antioxidants, it is unstable as an ingredient on its own. So, we try to stabilize it by combining it with another needy and unstable element.

Like L-ascorbic acid AKA Vitamin C for example. This wonder ingredient not only protects you from the sun but also fights against wrinkles, fine lines, pigmentation and dull, sallow skin. 

In order to penetrate the skin, it must be formulated in a pH of 3.5 max.

The low pH makes it super unstable, so we often add in Alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E). We know that adding these two together not only makes them more stable but more effective too.

This is why we have the evidence-based combo in both our C lite and Reverse C formulas.

But some studies show we can increase the benefits even further by adding in a third playmate into the playpen of fussy ingredients; ferulic acid.

When added to vitamins C and E,  it can double the photoprotective (sun protection) effects of these vitamins from 4-fold to approximately 8-fold.

What to look for in a ferulic acid serum

  1. It should be combined with L-Ascorbic Acid and Alpha tocopherol. While scientists are working on forms of ferulic acid that are both stable and effective, we’re not there yet so give it some unstable friends to play with. Plus, this is where the evidence is!

  2. It should be in an airless opaque bottle. Unstable ingredients are destroyed by air and light. This makes a serum in a dropper good for the first week after you open it. As far as your vitamin C goes, it will have lost about half its potency after that.

  3. The recommended ferulic acid concentration in cosmetic products is between 0.5 and 1%. 

With emerging evidence for its brightening, photoprotective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer and anti-aging features, ferulic acid was a natural addition to our new C Forte.

Combining its amazing benefits with the proven anti-aging benefits of Vitamins C and E, C Forte is a step up in your daily cosmeceutical regime.

C Forte

C Forte

C Forte Morning Serum is packed with 16% L-ascorbic acid, the purest form of Vitamin C, combined with vitamin E and ferulic acid for maximum results. Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) is an anti-oxidant helping neutralise free radicals (associated with exposure to the sun). The result? A brighter, firmer, plumper looking skin with fewer fine lines apparent and a more even skin tone. Formulated at the ideal pH (2.5-3.5) and housed in airless, opaque packaging, C Forte ensures stability and effectiveness, delivering radiant skin with every use.

Featuring;

- Evidence based ingredients and formulations for superior efficacy.

- Potent skin brightening ingredients 

- A plumper, more hydrated and even toned skin.

Note: C Forte can exacerbate acne and may be too strong for irritable skin.

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