Ferulic acid is a plant-based antioxidant primarily used in anti-aging skin care products. It’s naturally found in a variety of foods, including:

bran
oats
rice
eggplant
citrus
apple seeds
Ferulic acid has garnered a lot of interest due to its ability to fight free radicals while also boosting the effectiveness of other antioxidants, such as vitamins A, C, and E.

While it’s primarily used in skin care, experts are currently working to see if ferulic acid has other benefits, too.

Does ferulic acid really live up to the anti-aging hype? Read on to learn more.

What is ferulic acid used for?
Ferulic acid is available in both supplemental form and as part of anti-aging serums. It’s primarily used to fight off free radicals, which play a role in age-related skin issues, including age spots and wrinkles.

It’s also available as a supplement intended for daily use. Some studies suggest that ferulic acid may be helpful for people with diabetes and pulmonary hypertension.

But ferulic acid supplements don’t appear to have the same potency for skin health as serums containing ferulic acid do.

Ferulic acid is also used for food preservation. Additionally, it’s sometimes used by the pharmaceutical industry in some medications. More research is being done on other potential uses for this widely available antioxidant, including for Alzheimer’s and cardiovascular diseases.