Should We Add Ferulic Acid to our Vitamin C Serum?

So... our 15% Vitamin C Serum is pretty popular, with many folks noting:
  • a reduction in dark spots and fine lines,
  • increased brightness, overall smoothness,
  • and even marked improvements for skin conditions like psoriasis.

If you've been with us a while, you'll know I (Steve) am a little skeptical with skincare claims, but Vitamin C serums with 10 - 20% L-Ascorbic acid seem to be a pretty safe bet in gaining the above mentioned benefits and in some cases this:


But here's the thing.  In my own use, I've noticed that I have be really careful to ensure it doesn't go bad (like storing it in the fridge before use). 

You'll know that it goes bad when it turns dark brown.



To offset the volatility, we've added Vitamin E (Tocopherol is the chemical name) & store it in black - opaque - bottles, but we're also considering the addition of ferulic acid, which is supposed to be the gold standard in preservation.

But Ferulic acid SMELLS BAD.  Like hotdog water.  And we don't think it's a good idea to add fragrances to 'mask' the odor.

So here's my question to you:

Has your etee serum gone bad and if so, how quickly?  NOTE: it's fine if it turns yellow to orange, but once it gets dark orange or brown, that means it's not effective.

Would you be willing to accept a hotdog water smell if it meant the serum lasted longer and absorbed better?

Let me know in the comments below...

And CLICK HERE if you'd like to learn more about our 15% V-C Serum.


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Comments


  • No to stinky hotdog smell 😜

    Davena on
  • i’m not a fan of hotdogs in general so would hate the smell on my body:P

    Mary Adkisson on
  • Stick with just the VIT C.

    Joanne Moore on
  • Dont use it this product yet, would like to and plan on buying it. But if you have to use non natural fragrance then please dont use the hot dog water.

    Paola Basso on
  • Leave it, but put a “warning” on the label

    Marianne on
  • I feel like the C E Ferulic is a favorite with a lot of Skinceuticals fans. You might bring some of them over with that combo. I would definitely try it! Can you do that combo AND keep it in the dark bottle?

    Tara on
  • No ferulic acid, please. Have you done any tests to see how long the product lasts if stored in the opaque glass and in the fridge?

    M. Upshaw on
  • Leave out the stinky stuff – of any kind!! Please!

    Dorothy Petrie on
  • I’d opt for no hot dog water smell, please!

    Lynn on
  • Really appreciate this info. I was loving my first bottle. My rosacea cleared up completely. Then I noticed the oxidation/ change so I stopped using it… half of the bottle still remaining. So that was frustrating.

    I want to reorder and now I feel even more confident. Grateful!!

    My recommendation is to use smaller bottles-dark glass for sure-even though that increases “packaging” etc… I’m assuming product stability must be relative to the first open – as well as best use date.

    I’m a pharm tech and I compound so I think about this a lot. Also, I use to run a marketing firm.

    Clean ingredients without weird smells is my preference. Needing to reorder more often for max freshness is actually a bonus in my mind.

    If the shelf stability is sufficient for the same quantity in smaller bottles, that’s almost no compromise at all — but it would / should understandably cost a little more.

    Like fresh food – I don’t buy in bulk.

    If there’s a smaller glass vial the dropper might even be unnecessary???

    Ashlyn on

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