Ferulic Acid Is the Antioxidant Your Skin Needs, Here's 12 Serums That Have It

Best Overall

Skinceuticals C E Ferulic

4.9

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Who else recommends it? CNET and Healthline both picked Skinceuticals CE Ferulic.

What do buyers say? 4,200+ Dermstore reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above.

There’s a good reason why both team Byrdie and dermatologists galore sing the praises of this cult classic time and time again. The unique combo and concentrations of vitamin C, vitamin E, and ferulic acid delivers potent protection against environmental free radicals, says King of one of her top picks. It’s pricey, yes, but a little goes a long way, and the efficacy really can’t be beaten.  

Price at time of publish: $169

Benefits: Provides advanced environmental protection by neutralizing damaging free radicals | Dosage: 4 to 5 drops in the AM | Active Ingredients: Ferulic acid, vitamin C, vitamin E | Skin Type: All | Size: 1 oz. | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No

Runner-Up, Best Overall

DERMAdoctor Kakadu C 20% Vitamin C Serum with Ferulic Acid & Vitamin E

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Broadly speaking, ferulic acid plays nice with a wide array of antioxidants, but King says it’s especially great when paired with vitamins C and E, helping to increase their efficacy, while offering its own benefits. This formula also relies on that magic trio, though rings in at a slightly more affordable price than the SkinCeuticals pick above, and one bottle is enough for about 150 uses.

Price at time of publish: $95

Benefits: Helps brighten skin tone and leaves skin feeling more elastic, softer and firmer | Dosage: 5 drops in the AM | Active Ingredients: Ferulic acid, vitamin C, vitamin E | Skin Type: All | Size: 1 oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Budget

The Ordinary Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3%

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Antioxidant serums can put a dent in your wallet in a hurry, which is why we appreciate this insanely wallet-friendly formula. And you know you’re getting some good bang for your buck since this contains just three ingredients, two of which are the namesake antioxidants. It’s another top choice for King, who lauds it for both the chosen antioxidants it contains and their high concentrations. 

Price at time of publish: $9

Benefits: Protects skin from the damaging effects of external aggressors that contribute to signs of aging | Dosage: Adequate amount alone or after water-based serums, before oils or heavier creams at least once a day | Active Ingredients: Ferulic acid, resveratrol | Skin Type: All | Size: 1 oz. | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Runner-Up, Best Budget

Versed Auto-Save Skin Restoring Serum

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Another option that won’t max out your skincare budget, this newbie is not only affordable, it’s also an amazing multi-tasker. Apply it in the morning to yes, reap the benefits of ferulic acid (which is combined with other antioxidants, phloretin, and vitamin C), but also to give your skin an instant lift, thanks to a unique microalgae ingredient. Just don’t forget to slather on the sunscreen afterward.

Price at time of publish: $25

Benefits: Targets concerns of dullness and aging | Dosage: 2 pumps in AM | Active Ingredients: Ferulic acid, vitamin C, phloretin, microalgae | Skin Type: All, especially great for aging skin | Size: 1 oz | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best for Sensitive Skin

Typology Antioxidant Serum 3% Ferulic Acid + 3% Resveratrol

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We like this pick for sensitive skin for several reasons. Unlike many other ferulic acid serums that pair the ingredient with vitamin C (which, FYI, can be irritating, especially in higher concentrations), this instead combines it with resveratrol, a much more well-tolerated option. On top of that, it’s fragrance-free and touts a very minimal ingredient list, always a plus for those with sensitive skin. (The fewer the ingredients, the less likely there is to be one that’s irritating in there.)

Price at time of publish: $35

Benefits: Neutralizes free radicals induced by UV rays and pollution, slows down premature aging of the skin, and improves radiance | Dosage: 2 to 3 drops in AM and PM | Active Ingredients: Ferulic acid, resveratrol | Skin Type: All, especially sensitive | Size: 1 oz | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Exfoliating

Kiehl’s Ferulic Brew Facial Treatment Acid with Lactic Acid

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As a general rule of thumb, it’s not a great idea to pair ferulic acid with exfoliating ingredients such as lactic acid, says King. The latter can lower the pH, which can decrease ferulic acid’s efficacy, she cautions. But that’s not a concern here, because this has been specially formulated to ensure you get the exfoliating benefits of the ferulic acid and the lightly-exfoliating benefits of the lactic acid.

Price at time of publish: $54

Benefits: Defends against free radicals to prevent visible signs of aging and dullness and refines tone and texture | Dosage: 5 drops in AM and PM | Active Ingredients: Ferulic acid, lactic acid, squalane | Skin Type: All, except sensitive | Size: 6.8 oz | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: No

Best Anti-Aging

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Ferulic Acid + Retinol Brightening Solution

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Antioxidants, ferulic acid included, are most definitely an anti-aging ingredient, but that benefit really gets kicked up a notch when they’re paired with the king of all youth-boosting ingredients, retinol. Lightweight and fast-absorbing, there isn’t much this serum can’t do, combining the two namesake ingredients with other skin brighteners for an extra hit of spot fading, specifically. It can be used morning and night, but with any retinol product, it’s always a good idea to start slow and gradually work your way up.

Price at time of publish: $85

Benefits: Builds skin proteins to visibly lift skin, smooth deep wrinkles, and even out tone & texture while restoring hydration | Dosage: 2 to 3 pumps in PM | Active Ingredients: Ferulic acid, retinol | Skin Type: All, but can be irritating for sensitive | Size: 1 oz | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Clean

Acure Brightening Vitamin C & Ferulic Acid Oil-Free Serum

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This choice combines ferulic acid with vitamin C, plus matcha green tea (another great antioxidant) plus brightening pineapple extract. And despite that powerful list of ingredients, it’s still gentle enough to use twice a day, and/or if you have sensitive skin. 

Price at time of publish: $20

Benefits: Provides potent antioxidant protection and boosts skin's glow | Dosage: Thin layer in AM and PM | Active Ingredients: Ferulic acid, vitamin C | Skin Type: All | Size: 1 oz | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best for Acne-Prone Skin

SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF

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The C E Ferulic may be the OG antioxidant serum from Skinceuticals, but this newbie is poised to give it a run for its money, especially for those with oily or acne-prone skin. It has that same level of efficacy, thanks to a carefully formulated combo of ferulic acid and vitamin C, but throws a new antioxidant into the mix. Silymarin, which comes from the milk thistle plant, also plays nice with these guys, and this trio not only provides antioxidant benefits, it also reduces oil oxidation that can lead to breakouts. Speaking of, there’s also some zit-zapping salicylic acid in the formula.

Price at time of publish: $169

Benefits: Reduces oil oxidation by up to 76%, reduces oiliness, refines skin texture, and visibly improves skin clarity and fine lines | Dosage: 4 to 5 drops in AM | Active Ingredients: Ferulic acid, vitamin C, silymarin | Skin Type: Oily, combination | Size: 1 oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No

Best Overnight

Alpha-H Liquid Gold Midnight Reboot Serum

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Traditionally, antioxidants serums are a good option for daytime use, but they can also be used overnight as a way to help undo the day’s damage. “This contains potent antioxidants ferulic acid and coenzyme Q10 to help protect the skin from free radicals, along with a type of retinoid and glycolic acid to also help resurface the skin overnight,” says King. It’s a combo that she says helps improve dullness, fine lines, and pigmentation. We’re here for it. 

Price at time of publish: $83

Benefits: Resurfaces to reveal brighter, smoother skin and stimulates skin renewal | Dosage: 4 to 5 drops in PM | Active Ingredients: Ferulic acid, granactive retinoid, glycolic acid | Skin Type: Normal to dry | Size: 1.69 oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No

Best for Dark Spots

Peter Thomas Roth Potent C Targeted Spot Brightener

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Ferulic acid can be great for brightening your complexion overall,  but if you’re looking to really knock out super stubborn, target dark spots, you’ll want it in this formula. It touts a unique (and super powerful) form of vitamin C for spot-fading benefits, and ferulic acid and vitamin E to help ensure it works even better and evening out skin tone. 

Price at time of publish: $62

Benefits: Creates potent brightening and reduces the look of dark spot size by up to 75% | Dosage: Twice a day | Active Ingredients: Ferulic acid, vitamin C, vitamin E | Skin Type: All | Size: 0.5 oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No