Does your Vitamin C serum lack ferulic acid?
If so, my smart friend, you’re doing your skin a disservice. It’s no secret these two antioxidants are way more powerful together than alone.
But if you don’t feel like giving your fave Vitamin C serum the boot, don’t. Just supplement it with a ferulic acid serum, like The Ordinary Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3%.
It has the highest concentration of both ferulic acid and resveratrol on the market. Here’s what these two antioxidants can do for your skin:
What’s In The Ordinary Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3%?
RESVERATROL TO FIGHT PREMATURE AGING
Resveratrol is the reason why wine (in moderation) is good for you. It’s a natural antioxidant red grapes and dark berries naturally produce to protect themselves from UV radiation and other natural enemies.
It does the same for your skin too. A 2008 study found that resveratrol prevents UVB-induced damage – even when topically applied to the skin.
How? Easy: it works by reducing inflammation and fighting free radicals. That means it helps prevent wrinkles, dark spots, and cancer.
Just a warning: animal studies show that ingesting 0.37% resveratrol a day can cause birth defects. Sure, we’re not animals so resveratrol may be harmless to us. But as this serum has a whopping 3% of resveratrol (much higher than what you usually find in skincare products), if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, consult your doctor before using it.
Related: Resveratrol In Skincare Products: What Does It Do?
FERULIC ACID TO FIGHT WRINKLES
Ferulic acid is an antioxidant on steroids.
While most antioxidants destroy only one or two types of free radicals (that’s why you need to use a dozen in your skincare routine), ferulic acid neutralises THREE: superoxide, hydroxyl radical, and nitric oxide.
Ferulic acid kicks ass on its own. But, it’s even more powerful when used together with vitamins C and E. This trio boosts one another’s effectiveness and the protection of your sunscreen.
A study conducted by Duke University has found that “its [ferulic acid] incorporation into a topical solution of 15%l-ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) and 1%alpha-tocopherol (Vitamin E) improved chemical stability of the vitamins (C+E) and doubled photoprotection. This combination provides meaningful synergistic protection against oxidative stress in skin and should be useful for protection against photoaging and skin cancer.”
The Ordinary Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3% has no vitamin C or E. But if you’re using them in your skincare routine (and you should), supplementing with this serum can help you reap maximum benefits.
Just one thing: if you’re allergic to grains such as wheat, corn or barley, consult a doctor before adding ferulic acid to your skincare routine. Just in case.
Related: Why You Should Add Ferulic Acid To Your Skincare Routine
Struggling to put together a skincare routine that fights wrinkles and gives your skin a youthful glow? Download your FREE “Best Anti-Aging Skincare Routine” cheat sheet to get started (it features product recommendations + right application order):
Texture
A yellow-coloured oily texture that takes a minute or so to absorb into the skin.
Fragrance
It’s fragrance-free.
How To Use It
In the morning after your Vitamin C serum to supercharge it.
Performance & Personal Opinion
I like to apply The Ordinary Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3% alone in the morning after my Vitamin C serum to give that one a boost.
But if you have oily skin, either use it (and your Vitamin C) at night or mix a couple of drops with your fave vitamin C serum. Even so, if you live in a very hot climate, it may make your skin too oily in the torrid heat.
I use it after water-based serums but before moisturisers and oils and, so far, I’ve had no problems with pilling.
I admit I didn’t see dramatic results after introducing this serum to my skincare routine but that’s to be expected: antioxidants are preventative.
Science tells me that if I use these two antioxidants regularly, my skin will get less sun damage, fewer wrinkles and will stay younger for longer. And those all are things you notice in the long run, not after a month of use.
You know what they say. Prevention is better than cure. 😉
Who Is This For?
Anyone who uses a Vitamin C serum without ferulic acid.
Who Is This NOT For?
If your Vitamin C serum has ferulic acid, you don’t need this.
Packaging
A dark bottle with a dropper applicator. Sleek and practical.
Does The Ordinary Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3% Live Up To Its Claims?
| CLAIM | TRUE? |
|---|---|
| This formula combines very high concentrations of two of the most powerful and important antioxidants in skincare: Resveratrol and Ferulic Acid. | True, but I wish they explained why. |
| Skincare formulations generally incorporate Resveratrol at 1% or less and Ferulic Acid at 0.5% or less. This formula contains each at 3%, an exceptionally high concentration. | True. |
Price & Availability
£5.50 at Beauty Bay, Cult Beauty and Feel Unique
Do You Need It?
If your Vitamin C serum lacks ferulic acid, this is a good way to add it to your routine.
Dupes & Alternatives
- Modest Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3% Serum (£16.97)
- Typology Antioxidant Serum 3% Ferulic Acid + 3% Resveratrol (£14.80)
Ingredients
Propanediol, Resveratrol, Ferulic Acid.
I’ve been eyeing on that. When I was browsing the reviews on TO’s site, I noticed that disturbingly many people reported negative reactions caused by R3F3. Still I would like to try it though. Can you dilute it with water-based products? I asked Deciem’s customer service if they could recommend a lightweight oil to dilute R3F3, but they ignored the fact that I’m already using vit A in my regimen and suggested rosehip oil. I quess that could be too much for my sensitive skin. Buhuu, dodgy advice!
Maria, R3F3 uses much higher concentrations of resveratrol and ferulic acid than you usually found in skincare products. If your skin is sensitive, there’s a chance it could cause an irritation. But I personally didn’t have any problems with it. Yes, you can dilute it with oil. Try Marula or squalene.
I have this in my collection and the timeless vitamin C.
Won’t mixing the two together change the ph level which will effect the potentance of the vitamin C?
Anne, it really depends on what form of Vitamin C you’re using. Not all of them are pH dependant. But L-Ascobic Acid, the one find in Timeless is so if you’re going to mix anything wth that, get some pH stripes to measure how much it’s changed.
Having said that, Timeless Vitamin C serum has both Vitamins C and E and ferulic acid so you wouldn’t need to supplement with this serum anyway.
Hello! What vitamin C serum do you use?
Barbara, unless I’m testing something else for review, I use Paula’s Choice C15 Booster.
Hey Gio,
I’m currently using the Ole Henrikson truth serum for a Vitamin C serum. I just ordered the Ordinary resveratrol/ferulic. I was planning on using the Ordinary product first then layering the vitamin c serum soon after but reading ur article here you are saying to do the opposite. What should I do?
Kay, use the one with the lightest texture first. 🙂
Hi Gio, that means I can use The Ordinary Resveratrol+ Ferulic with Skinceutical C E Ferulic?
I’ld Love to add antioxidants on my C E Ferulic but I’m not sure if they go well together.
Thanks!
Tatiana, yes you can. Or you can use one in the morning and the other in the evening.
Great!
🙂
Hi – can i combine a few drops with my Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% at night?
PCCG, you can layer them one on top of the other.
Can this be used with the TO vitamin C suspension in silicone? And in which order? I would rather apply this is in the morning, but I am worried by oily skin will look even worse. My evening routine is for using acids. Should I rather alternate the nights (acids/vit. C)? Thanks!
Dana, yes, you can apply this serum before vitamin C. Depending on how oily your skin is, it can make skin look worse, so alternating would be best for you.
The Ordinary R3F3 says clearly on the box “Do not refrigerate” yet I have read other places that Ferulic should always be refrigerated. What is your take on this?
S, if the product has a good preservative system, I don’t see any reason to refrigerate it. Just store it somewhere cool and dark.
So this mixed with Vitamin C suspension that they make will boost the Vitamin C giving me maximum results with the ark spot correcter? I have dark spots that I have tried everything on to get rid of and I stumbled upon TO vitamin c suspension and this and was told mixing them would reap maximum benefits so what do u think? And do u have any other great recommendations to take a strong approach(anything that has worked well if this isn’t it) to minimizing dark spots?
Michelle, adding ferulic helps with anti-aging, but it won’t fade dark spots. Have you considered TO Ascorbyl Glucoside + Alpha Arbutin instead?
Can I mix the Reservatrol and Ferulic acid with the Ascorbyl glucoside in the mornings?
Is it ok to mix it in with the drunk elephant vitamin C?
Krystal, I prefer to layer it on top. But Drunk Elephant Vitamin C already has ferulic acid, so I’m not sure why you need this too?
Hi Kay, I also use OH Truth Serum and thinking of getting TO Resveratrol/Ferulic. Do you like the combination? Which one do you layer first? And what type of skin do you have? Appreciate the info!
Hi! Thank you for this.
I use TO Alpha Arbutin + Azelaic Acid in the morning. Can I use this on top of those serums? Cheers!
TG, you can. But I’d recommend choosing either Alpha Arbutin or Azelaic Acid. They both help with hyperpigmentation so you don’t need both.
Hi Gio, i am using Kiehls Vitamin C, would it be possible to mix it with The Ordinary Resvestarol and Feluric Acid? Thanks!
Andrea, it’s best to layer them. Vitamin C first.
hello, can i use the The Ordinary Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3% everyday?
Hasan, yes.
Hello, Im trying for a baby at the moment so can you recomend a product that has has just 3% ferulic and no resveratrol?
Thanks