Does your Vitamin C serum not have ferulic acid?
Then, 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:
Resveratrol
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 damaged – 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
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
Let’s Put It To The Test: Personal Use & Opinion
The Ordinary Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3% has a yellow-coloured oily texture that takes a minute or so to absorb into the skin.
I like to apply it 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. 😉
Available at: £5.50 at Beauty Bay, Cult Beauty and Feel Unique
SHOP THE POST
Have you tried The Ordinary Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3%? Share your experience in the comments below.
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18 comments
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.