Meet Ferulic Acid, the Most Underrated Skin Brightener

We'll never stop preaching the importance of sunscreen application and reapplication, so if you're on the market for an SPF topical that you can use to reapply without messing up your makeup, Vacation's Super Spritz SPF 50 Face Mist is your answer. As it guards your skin against harmful sunrays, an antioxidant-rich combination of ferulic acid, vitamin E, green tea, and algae extracts protects your skin against environmental aggressors and free radical damage.

The True Botanicals Vitamin C Booster contains one of the highest concentrations of vitamin C on the market, and the antioxidant's glow-inducing powers are only amped up with the addition of ferulic acid in the formula. The beauty of this powder formula is that you can add it to just about any of your serums or creams for an added dose of brightening antioxidants.

Dark spots? We haven't heard of those in a while, thanks to Farmacy's 10% Waterless Vitamin C Serum. This waterless formula contains a high concentration of vitamin C, ferulic acid, and alpha arbutin (another brightening active ingredient) to even skin tone and diminish the look of hyperpigmentation.

Nava Greenfield, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City, says the Ghost Democracy Lightbulb Vitamin C Serum is one of her favorite brightening serums. Along with antioxidant vitamins C, E, and ferulic acid, this impressive formulation also contains bakuchiol, a gentler alternative to retinol that'll reduce the look of signs of aging like fine lines and skin sagging.

Those looking for a hyperpigmentation-reducing treatment should try Community Sixty-Six's Retinol Resurfacing Night Cream, one of Dr. Greenfield's favorite overnight creams. "This product combines emollients and antioxidants with caffeine, niacinamide, and reservatrol to create an effective and soothing formulation that helps to smooth, brighten, and even out skin tone," she says.

Those targeting fine lines and wrinkles will reap all of the benefits of retinol, an ingredient Dr. Greenfield says will boost collagen production. Meanwhile, dry skin types will be treated with the benefits of moisturizing squalane and hydrating hyaluronic acid.

The Lancôme Rénergie H.C.F. Triple Serum has such an impressive, antioxidant-fueled formula that we had to give it an Allure Best of Beauty Award in 2022. This intensive serum boosts radiance and balances oil production (perfect for oily skin types) with a combination of niacinamide, ferulic acid, and vitamin C. Meanwhile, hyaluronic acid binds water to the skin so it feels soft and supple to the touch.

Radiant skin is just a few pumps of Drunk Elephant's Bouncy Brightfacial Brightening Mask away. This leave-on mask can be used day or night to treat your skin with radiance-inducing azelaic acid (which is also known as an acne-reducing, antibacterial ingredient) and antioxidants like ferulic acid to even tone while preventing free radical damage. Salicylic acid, an exfoliating beta hydroxy acid, also makes an appearance in this formula to unclog pores and smooth texture.

You may have heard that L-ascorbic acid (pure vitamin C) is the gold-standard ingredient of antioxidant-powered serums, but the Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Power Serum swaps this additive for another powerful and more stable derivative, THD ascorbate. This form of vitamin C is further stabilized with ferulic acid and vitamin E to provide optimal brightening results while improving texture and tone.

The Ordinary's Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3% subs out ferulic acid's usual best friend, vitamin C, for another trending ingredient you should know about: resveratrol, an antioxidant found in red wine. This unique pairing works hand-in-hand to target any skin texture issues — including acne, sagging, and fine lines — while protecting your skin from damaging environmental stressors.

If you're in need of exfoliation, the Kiehl's Ferulic Brew Facial Treatment Essence will do the trick. It's made from a blend of ferulic and lactic acids, the latter being a popular active in skin care for its gentle exfoliating properties. This mix provides antioxidant protection to visibly smooth and even your skin's texture and tone, reduce fine lines, and leave skin with a healthy-looking glow.

This cocktail of antioxidants is especially impressive for its high potency of vitamin C. Paula's Choice Resist C15 Super Booster contains a maximum-strength formula filled with vitamin E, ferulic acid, and an impressive 15 percent vitamin C to brighten, firm, and correct uneven skin tones. This booster can be mixed into your favorite moisturizers and serums for an added dose of the antioxidants, or you can apply it on its own.

Peach & Lily Transparen-C Pro Spot Treatment stands out for its ability to address dark spots and hyperpigmentation without irritating or dehydrating your skin. It makes this possible by combining a high percentage of vitamin C (20 percent, to be exact) with stabilizing ferulic acid, healing vitamin E, and brightening licorice extract. This highly active blend also looks to a lightweight base of sunflower, macadamia seed, camellia, and meadowfoam seed oils for added moisture.

If you're looking for a more intensive ferulic acid treatment, grab a jar of the Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Ferulic Plus Retinol Moisturizer. This high-potency cream contains a blend of the antioxidant, along with retinol, another popular skin-care ingredient known for firming skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Another bonus about this moisturizer is that it's suitable for nightly and morning use. Just make sure you slather on sunscreen after applying it in the AM.

This serum pairs ferulic acid with a more stable form of vitamin C, called vitamin C ester, to create a high-performing brightening treatment. Perricone MD's Vitamin C Ester CCC+ Ferulic Brightening Complex is formulated with a stabilized version of the antioxidant to provide the same brightening and smoothing results from the first pump to the last drop.

This intensive mask is like hitting a restart button on your skin. It works more like an exfoliating peel with ferulic acid, which heightens the properties of active exfoliants glycolic and lactic acids in the formula. You'll also find hyaluronic acid and shea butter, which work in tandem to hydrate and comfort your skin. This mask tackles a whole slew of skin concerns like dark spots, fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of firmness.