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

  • Leave it as is!!! I don’t think it’s worth the extra chemicals and fragrances.

    Sarah on

  • No bad smell. At the end of the end, it’s a cosmetic product, which people should enjoy wearing, and if it has a bad scent, they will eventually stop using and replace it with something else, results or not. Dark bottles wouldn’t deter me from using a product. We already have a lot of products without see-through containers.

    Daniela on

  • I can’t tell you how much I love your products. I’m a big fan and use many of them! But, you’re probably not gonna like my comment. I really believe the very best thing you can do about Vit. C is to use a different formulation that is more stable (and also works just as well), and don’t use a dropper container. From everything I’ve read and researched, the dropper is one of the worst kinds of containers because every time you use it, you expose the whole bottle to oxygen (which is a no no:). I realize that you want to be plastic free, and I want you to, too, because I LOVE this about your company!! So maybe work on another kind of container that only puts out the amount that you need, like some kind of pump? May not be possible, but a challenge, none the less. Also, there is a formulation that is just as effective as L-ascorbic acid and is also stable, and that is TETRAHEXYLDECYL ASCORBATE. Thanks for reading, and good luck with your decision. I’m very grateful that you ask us for our opinions about things like this – just one more way your company is so different (and better) than others!

    Caryl P. on

  • I would be willing to try the ferulic acid if it made the shelf life longer and the smell goes away in a short amount of time like 15 min. Taking the extra step to keep it in the fridge is too much.

    Like the other commenters suggested, having smaller bottle sizes or using essential oils to mask the smell could be potential options.

    Good luck!

    T on

  • I haven’t tried your Vitamin C serum yet but I prefer fragrance free products.

    Sakie on

  • Leave out the stinky hotdog water and continue with the opaque glass bottle. I’d rather refrigerate it than have added ingredients or fragrance. For many of us, fragrances are irritants to our skin. Thanks for making great products!

    Laurel Duncan Biqiku on

  • Hi Steve, I love your Vit C serum, I’ve been using it for several months and have definitely noticed a difference in the dark spots on my face. The bottle I just finished had turned orange (not brown) after 2-3 months. If the ferulic acid smell is very strong, my vote would be for the dark bottle and vit E. If the smell is mild, then I personally wouldn’t object to using it with the ferulic acid added.
    If you go for the ferulic acid, then I suggest including a note with the item telling customers what the smell is and why it’s there. If you don’t make any changes to the formulation, then I think info about Vit C oxidation is important to put on your website so customers are aware of it before purchasing. I didn’t know that it loses its effectiveness when it turns orange, and I tend to stock up on items when they’re on sale. Now that I know the Vit C shelf-life is short, that’s one item that, in future, I’ll buy only as much as I need at that time. Also knowing that storing it in the fridge before use would be helpful to know at the time of purchase and/or when the item arrives.
    Thanks for a great product!

    Cassandra Butterworth on

  • I have not had a problem with your current formula so I would keep things the way they are.

    Sharon on

  • Please leave it as it is. Do not add fuerlic acid (dirty hot dog water smelling chemical) OR other fragrances to cover stink. I agree with person who said if used daily it won’t darken and lose its efficiency.

    Heather O’Malley on

  • I like it the way it is. I leave it in the fridge to keep it fresh, and am happy to do that rather than have to deal with a foul-smelling Vitamin C

    Giselle on
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