Ferulic acid is a member of the class of ferulic acids that is cinnamic acid substituted by a methoxy and a hydroxy group at positions 3 and 4 of the phenyl ring.
- Lines D
- Amount studies used
- 0.5%
- When
- morning
- Irritation
- low
Grades were set by reading this ingredient’s studies. They describe the ingredient, not every product that contains it.
How much products actually contain
No product states its amount yet.
Of the products containing it, 54 list it before the 1% line and 109 after it (usually 1% or less).
Where no amount is stated, a product listing it early reaches the study amount about 56% of the time, one listing it late about 5%.
Clinical evidence grade by skin concern
- D
- lab work or a record only
The evidence is for use together with vitamins C and E.
Products using this ingredient
12 of 163 confirmed · likeliest to carry enough first · See all 163
FarmacyFarmacy 10% Waterless Vitamin C Serum Trial Size56% chance of enough
FarmacyFarmacy Bright On 10% Waterless Vitamin C Serum56% chance of enough
Biome ActivateAscorbyl Glucoside Ampoule56% chance of enough
Paul MitchellPaul Mitchell Clean Beauty Heat Styling Spray56% chance of enough
Biome ActivateResveratrol Ampoule56% chance of enough
Cos De BAHAVC Serum56% chance of enough
BEISKINPure Vita Dark Spot Ampoule 10g x 3ea56% chance of enough
TatchaTatcha The Brightening Serum56% chance of enough
Peace Out SkincarePeace Out Skincare Dark Spots Microneedling Dots56% chance of enough
Cos De BAHACW Serum56% chance of enough
COSMECHEFBaekdanggo Makgeolli Radiance Ampoule Mist56% chance of enough
BLIVUThe Real Vita C 20 Ampoule56% chance of enough
Definition
Ferulic acid is a member of the class of ferulic acids that is cinnamic acid substituted by a methoxy and a hydroxy group at positions 3 and 4 of the phenyl ring. It has a role as an antioxidant, a neuroprotective agent and a plant metabolite.
Source: PubChem
US FDA substance register · UNII AVM951ZWST · registered name FERULIC ACID · single chemical substance
Cosmetic roles
Safety & regulatory references
Japan
- Maximum amount per 100 g (Cosmetics not used for mucosa and to be washed away) : 10 g
- Maximum amount per 100 g (Cosmetics not used for mucosa and not to be washed away) : 10 g
More data — names, identifiers, properties, test records, literature
Official labels & definitions
JCIA labelling name フェルラ酸: 本品は、次の化学式で表されるケイ皮酸誘導体である。
Source: JCIA labelling names (Japan)
Names & identifiers
- CAS No.chemical registry number
- 1135-24-6
- EC No.EU chemical inventory number
- 214-490-0
- DTXSIDUS EPA chemical ID
- DTXSID5040673
- DTXCIDUS EPA compound ID
- DTXCID3020673
- IUPAC
- 3-(4-Hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acid
- Molecular formula
- C10H10O4
- Molecular weight
- 194.186 g/mol
Measured properties
- Appearance
- cis-Form is a yellow liquid, trans-Form is a solid, [Merck Index] trans-Isomer: Tan powder, [Alfa Aesar MSDS] · Tan powder, [Alfa Aesar MSDS]
- Melting point
- 168 - 171 °C
- Dissociation constant
- pKa = 4.58
Values measured on the substance itself, not a specification for a commercial raw material.
Source: PubChem
What products actually use it for
What the 7 products reported to the US EPA with this ingredient use it for. Products outside cosmetics are included, so the top few rows are its main uses.
- Biocide2
- Antioxidant2
- Flavouring and nutrient1
- Preservative1
- UV stabilizer1
Source: US EPA CompTox dashboard
Irritation and sensitisation studies
1 skin studies and 0 eye studies are on record.
The study conclusions largely agree (100%). These tests are on the raw material itself; irritation at the amount in a finished product is a different question.
See all 1 studies
- SkinIrr2
Skin Irritation · QSAR Predicted
Source: US EPA CompTox dashboard
Related literature
- International Expert Consensus on Integrated Skincare Active Ingredients for Pretreatment and Posttreatment Use With Medical Aesthetic Procedures to Enhance Skin Benefits. · 2026
- Reparative Effects of a Topical Antioxidant Serum Containing Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Ferulic Acid After Ablative Fractional CO<sub>2</sub> Laser Treatment for Atrophic Acne Scars: A Randomized, Investigator-Blinded, Split-Face, Controlled Trial. · 2026
- A Double-Blinded, Split-Face Clinical Trial Evaluating the Effects of a Vitamin C, E, and Ferulic Acid Serum Combined with Microneedling on Facial Photoaging. · 2026
- Multifunctional System with Ferulic Acid: Increased Safety, Antioxidant Activity, and Efficacy of Sunscreen Formulations. · 2026
- Design, optimization, and evaluation of ferulic acid-loaded cubosomal cream for enhanced topical delivery and anti-hyperpigmentation efficacy. · 2026
Linked databases 17
- Australian Industrial Chemicals Inventory (AICIS)
- ChEBI
- China inventory of existing ingredients (IECIC)
- EU CosIng ingredient list 2
- Europe PMC 2 3 4 5
- Japan Standards for Cosmetics
- JCIA labelling names (Japan)
- Korea Cosmetic Association ingredient dictionary
- MFDS (Korea) cosmetic ingredient register 2
- MFDS (Korea) cosmetic regulatory information 2 3 4
- NIST Chemistry WebBook
- PubChem 2
- UniChem cross-reference IDs
- US EPA CompTox dashboard 2
- US EPA DSSTox chemical database
- US FDA Unique Ingredient Identifier (UNII)
- Wikidata