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

  • I’d use the stinky version if it was cleaner.

    Monica Resendes on

  • The going brown problem is why I haven’t purchased more after the first time. So I’d say to at least try it!

    Ruth Duerr on

  • I would no longer use it if it smelled bad. Good to know I can store unused bottles in the fridge.

    Laurie Blue on

  • I couldn’t rub hotdogs on my skin so dark bottles and maybe smaller amounts? Good luck.

    Jo-Ann Frost on

  • I haven’t had mine long enough to go bad but I keep mine in the fridge to make sure it lasts longer. I don’t mind using extra care to keep my product from going off. I’m not sure whether I would care about the smell but a smelly additive would raise my concern about the cleanness of the product so I would need a lot of assurance that this additive was a 0 or 1 in terms of an EWG rating

    Erica on

  • Please stay with the Vitamin E and the black opaque bottles. I would have to cancel my subscription if it started “ smelling bad.” Thanks for asking.

    Judy Gray on

  • Please do not add something stinky! I like the Vitamin C serum as it is. It smells good, I don’t see a problem with absorption, and I use it up before it gets to a dark orange.
    Smell is important for face stuff. I love your facial moisturizer, but since you switched it to the crysalis pods, it smells funky and I haven’t ordered any more. It was a challenge to finish up the whole pod.
    So my vote is a solid NO to adding something stinky!!

    Lauren on

  • Stick to the black glass and Vitamin E.

    Mary White on

  • I haven’t bought the Vitamin C serum yet, but probably will in future. I don’t think I would use a product that smells terrible, so please stay with opaque bottles and Vitamin E.

    Barbara Schwartz on

  • No don’t add the vitamin E

    Ibtissame on

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