Regulatory Status
For full compliance data across 55 jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Toxicological Studies
2 study endpoints found for Ferulic Acid. NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) values are used to calculate the Margin of Safety per SCCS methodology.
| Endpoint | Value | Route | Species | Study Type | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NOAEL | 2000 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | oral | REACH |
| NOEL | 500 ppm | oral | rat | oral | REACH |
Dermal Penetration Profile
Skin absorption and penetration characteristics of Ferulic Acid, relevant to systemic exposure and MoS calculations.
Source: J Invest Dermatol 2005
Expert Verdict
Ferulic acid serves a dual role as a formulation stabilizer extending shelf life and potency of vitamin C+E by 2x, and as an intrinsic bioactive providing AhR modulation, UV absorption, and antioxidant benefits. Recent research identifies ferulic acid among cosmetic bioactives whose anti-pollution efficacy is mechanistically rooted in AhR pathway antagonism, the same pathway activated by PAHs and urban particulate matter. The CE Ferulic triad (L-ascorbic acid 15% + alpha-tocopherol 1% + ferulic acid 0.5%) remains the gold-standard antioxidant combination for evidence-based anti-pollution serums.
Regulatory Flags
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ferulic Acid safe in cosmetics?
Ferulic acid serves a dual role as a formulation stabilizer extending shelf life and potency of vitamin C+E by 2x, and as an intrinsic bioactive providing AhR modulation, UV absorption, and antioxidant benefits. Recent research identifies ferulic acid among cosmetic bioactives whose anti-pollution efficacy is mechanistically rooted in AhR pathway antagonism, the same pathway activated by PAHs and urban particulate matter. The CE Ferulic triad (L-ascorbic acid 15% + alpha-tocopherol 1% + ferulic acid 0.5%) remains the gold-standard antioxidant combination for evidence-based anti-pollution serums. The EU classifies Ferulic Acid as "permitted". Safety rating: EXCELLENT. 2 toxicological study endpoint(s) are available in our database.
Is Ferulic Acid allowed in the EU?
Ferulic Acid EU regulatory status: permitted. Maximum allowed concentration: No specific concentration limit; used typically at 0.5–1%. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Ferulic Acid do in cosmetics?
Ferulic Acid functions as: Antioxidant; AhR pathway modulator; vitamin C+E stabilizer and efficacy potentiator; UV-absorbing phenolic acid; anti-pollution active; collagen synthesis support. It is classified as a Antioxidant in our database. CAS number: 1135-24-6.
What is the Margin of Safety for Ferulic Acid?
adequate The Margin of Safety (MoS) is calculated using SCCS methodology. A MoS above 100 is generally considered safe. Use the MoS Calculator tool to calculate MoS for your specific formulation and product category.
What is the NOAEL for Ferulic Acid?
The NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) for Ferulic Acid is 2000 mg/kg bw/day based on a oral study via oral route in rat. A total of 2 study endpoints are available. Source: REACH.
Compliance Tools
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