BUTTER-C
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Ferulic acid serum OEM/ODM manufacturing
Ferulic Acid Serum · OEM/ODM
Ferulic acid is a phenolic acid found widely in plants; the raw material can be made from vanillin by chemical synthesis or obtained from rice bran oil pitch, a by-product of rice bran oil production (PubChem). Ferulic acid is known mainly through the “trio” with vitamin C and vitamin E: in an experiment using solar-simulated irradiation of skin (pig skin according to the PubMed index), adding ferulic acid to a solution of 15% L-ascorbic acid and 1% alpha-tocopherol made both vitamins more chemically stable and raised protection from 4-fold to approximately 8-fold; the formula later tested on human skin contained 0.5% ferulic acid. One point needs to be clear: these data belong to the whole combined system — a 2025 systematic review notes that ferulic acid's own contribution is hard to isolate, and data for ferulic acid on its own are still exploratory. The Butter-C ferulic acid serum is therefore an antioxidant serum in which ferulic acid plays the role it has data for: an antioxidant for the formula that helps stabilize vitamins C and E. The manufacturing challenges are low pH, the poor water solubility of ferulic acid at that pH, and the tendency of the whole system to oxidize quickly. Ferulic acid and L-ascorbic acid are not currently stocked at the plant, so they are sourced per order with a COA. Butter-C offers turnkey OEM/ODM manufacturing, from formula development and testing to labeled finished goods and the notification dossier.
Formula base
Three antioxidants in a low-pH water–glycol base
Ferulic acid is the named ingredient, but its behavior depends on the vitamin C and vitamin E alongside it, on pH and on the solvent system. Because it contains water, the formula needs a preservative system confirmed by a challenge test.
Ferulic Acid — trans form
4-Hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamic acid, C10H10O4, molecular weight 194.18, CAS 1135-24-6 (trans form), pKa 4.58; needle-shaped crystals, soluble in hot water, alcohol and ethyl acetate (PubChem). The level used in human studies is 0.5% — and that 0.5% sits within a system of 15% L-ascorbic acid + 1% alpha-tocopherol (Murray et al., 2008), not a level tested for ferulic acid on its own. Ferulic acid is not named in ASEAN Annexes II, III or VI (06/2026 edition), so it has no specific concentration limit.
Accompanying vitamins C and E
Ascorbic Acid (L-ascorbic acid) dissolves readily in water; Tocopherol (alpha-tocopherol) dissolves in oils and alcohol and is practically insoluble in water. The 15% + 1% ratio is the ratio from the research. CIR (Elmore, 2005) records ascorbic acid in cosmetics at about 5–10% (apart from hair dye products) — 15% is above this surveyed range, so the product's safety assessment must make its own case and include irritation testing on the complete formula. Neither substance is named in ASEAN Annexes II, III or VI (06/2026 edition).
Solvent system
Water with Propanediol and Butylene Glycol as co-solvents to keep ferulic acid dissolved; Polysorbate 20 or PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil to disperse Tocopherol in the water base — amounts set by clarity and crystallization testing (formulation experience). Please state an alcohol-free requirement up front, because alcohol dissolves both ferulic acid and tocopherol.
Chelation, preservation
A chelator binds metal ions — ascorbic acid solutions are oxidized by air faster in the presence of iron and copper (vitamin C article on our site); for an L-ascorbic acid system, Disodium EDTA and sodium phytate are compared directly on the formula, because in model systems ascorbate recycles iron in the Fenton reaction (interactions chapter of our formulation handbook). Polysorbate 20 auto-oxidizes in storage — its COA should show a low peroxide value. Phenoxyethanol at up to 1% (ASEAN Annex VI, Ref 29) with Ethylhexylglycerin. Thickening polymers are chosen from those usable at low pH, such as Hydroxyethylcellulose and Xanthan Gum (formulation experience).
Key technical points
Four points specific to a serum named after ferulic acid
The vitamin C serum base is covered on the general page; the four items below center on ferulic acid and how to read its data.
Reading the “4-fold to 8-fold” figure correctly
Lin et al. (2005): an experiment with solar-simulated irradiation of skin — the PubMed index lists pig skin, while the abstract states neither the species nor the ferulic acid percentage; “protection” was measured by erythema and sunburn cells, not an SPF value. Murray et al. (2008): the 15% + 1% + 0.5% solution and its vehicle were applied to separate patches of human skin for 4 days, followed by solar-simulated irradiation at 2–10 minimal erythema doses — significant protection by every measure; the authors themselves note the number of participants was “relatively small” and stress that the mechanism differs from sunscreens and only supplements them. Wu et al. (2013): 12 women, back skin, 4 days, with a site receiving the vehicle and a site receiving nothing as controls.
Ferulic acid's own contribution has not been isolated
A 2025 systematic review found 18 human studies, but samples were small, robust randomized trials were few and formulas differed, making it hard to isolate the part played by ferulic acid (Roux et al., 2025). A 1% ferulic acid cream used alone lowered the melanin index in an exploratory single-blind, split-face study in 24 women, most of whose authors worked for a rice bran chemicals company (Zhou et al., 2026) — exploratory data, not a basis for claims. Two trials of a C + E + ferulic serum used after microneedling (31 people, with co-authors from the serum's manufacturer) and after CO2 laser (64 people analyzed, company-funded) are medical procedure settings.
Low pH and crystallization
In absorption studies on pig skin, L-ascorbic acid had to be at pH below 3.5 to enter the skin (Pinnell et al., 2001 — vitamin C article on our site). At that pH, well below its pKa of 4.58, ferulic acid is mostly in its free acid form and poorly soluble in water — hence co-solvents and crystallization testing through freeze–thaw cycling and cold storage. The finished-product pH is set by stability testing with assays; a level is printed on the label only if the system keeps it dissolved to the end of shelf life.
Antioxidants for the antioxidant system
Ferulic acid has a “tendency to be rapidly oxidized” — the main limitation in use (Zduńska et al., 2018); a vitamin C serum turning dark yellow or brown is usually a sign that the ascorbic acid has oxidized (vitamin C article on our site). A serum that changes color is a signal to re-assay both vitamin C and ferulic acid, not just to look at it. Remedies: filling with limited air, reducing headspace, light-tight bottles, small volumes and in-use simulation to set the period after opening.
Three formulation directions
Three ways to put ferulic acid into a serum
C + E + ferulic serum at the published ratio
15% Ascorbic Acid, 1% Tocopherol, 0.5% Ferulic Acid in a low-pH water–glycol base — the very system that was studied. Advanced positioning, used in the morning before sunscreen; it can sting sensitive skin, has a shorter shelf life and needs air-tight, light-tight packaging.
Ferulic serum with a vitamin C derivative
Ferulic Acid with 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid or Ascorbyl Glucoside (both in stock) and Tocopherol, at a higher, gentler pH. Note: the stability and protection data of Lin 2005 and Murray 2008 belong to L-ascorbic acid — they do not transfer to derivatives; the phrase “helps stabilize vitamin C” is used only after measurement on that formula itself.
Ferulic–vitamin E serum, without vitamin C
Ferulic Acid and Tocopherol in a glycol–water base, for brands that want to avoid very low pH. Claims stop at “antioxidant”; single-ingredient data (a 1% cream, exploratory study) are not enough to promise anything about skin tone.
Packaging is designed together with the formula
Dark glass dropper bottle or light-blocking airless pump, in a small volume so it is used up before the actives decline; gaskets and dropper tubes are soak-tested with the low-pH base.
Parameters we monitor
What our R&D lab measures on every sample
Below are the parameters Butter-C monitors during formula development and scale-up to production. Specific limits are agreed with you on the approved sample and then written into the product's in-house specification.
- Appearance & color index
- Color, odor, clarity; color index measured periodically to catch early discoloration.
- pH
- Measured directly at 25°C; pH drift tracked across stability time points — pH governs both ferulic acid solubility and vitamin C stability.
- Viscosity
- Rotational viscometer, with spindle and speed recorded; must suit the dropper or pump.
- Crystallization
- Visual and microscopic checks after freeze–thaw cycling, after cold storage and at each stability time point.
- Ferulic acid and vitamin C content
- HPLC assay at the start and after accelerated aging — the basis for label content and shelf life.
- In-use simulation
- Opening and dispensing on a schedule, then re-measuring color and content — the basis for the period after opening.
- Incoming raw materials
- Each lot's COA checked: INCI Ferulic Acid, CAS 1135-24-6, trans form, purity, origin (synthetic or from rice bran) as declared by the supplier; COAs for Ascorbic Acid and Tocopherol.
- Microbiology & challenge test
- Tested at a GLP / ISO 17025-accredited laboratory; preservative efficacy (challenge) test per ISO 11930.
- Irritation & stinging
- Volunteer testing before the formula is finalized; we found no CIR or SCCS assessment specific to ferulic acid in the sources checked, and 15% ascorbic acid is above the range CIR surveyed.
Claims
Antioxidant claims, within cosmetic scope
The strong data for ferulic acid are experimental data on the C + E + ferulic system under solar-simulated irradiation; single-ingredient data are still exploratory. Butter-C reviews the wording on labels and marketing materials as soon as the notification dossier is prepared.
Antioxidant for the formula
At a cosmetic level; figures are stated only when measured on the finished product. Instead of: “sun protection”, “boosts SPF”, “replaces sunscreen”.
Helps stabilize vitamins C and E in the formula (experimental data)
For systems containing L-ascorbic acid and tocopherol, backed by assays on that formula; any cited study must be described as experimental. Instead of: “8 times more skin protection” borrowed from the Lin 2005 experiment (pig skin according to the PubMed index).
Contains ferulic acid with vitamins C and E
A description of the ingredients with correct INCI names; a percentage only if it can be measured at the end of shelf life. Instead of: “an exact copy of a famous product”, an undefined “golden ratio”.
Use in the morning, followed by sunscreen
Per the ferulic acid article on our site: an antioxidant system only supplements sunscreen. Instead of: use in place of sunscreen, protection from UV rays.
No claims about aging or skin tone
The 1% single-ingredient cream is an exploratory study; wrinkle and pigmentation data for C + E + ferulic serums come from trials after microneedling and laser. Instead of: “anti-aging”, “rejuvenating”, “whitening”, “fades melasma”.
Label reminders
Close tightly after use, keep away from light; use sunscreen during the day; patch test on a small area first, transient stinging may occur on sensitive skin, stop if redness or burning persists; use on skin that has just had a procedure only as directed by the practitioner; pregnant women should ask a doctor. Do not state “non-irritating”.
Manufacturing specifications
Our capabilities
- Texture
- Fluid or slightly viscous water–glycol serum; colorless to pale yellow depending on the formula.
- Pack formats
- Dark glass dropper bottle, light-blocking airless pump. Volume agreed when selecting packaging.
- Raw material sourcing
- Ferulic acid, L-ascorbic acid and tocopherol are not stocked — sourced per order with a COA; 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid and Ascorbyl Glucoside are in stock for the vitamin C derivative direction.
- Minimum order quantity
- Agreed per order — depends on the formula direction and pack format chosen.
- Testing
- Performed at a GLP / ISO 17025-accredited laboratory, with a certificate of analysis delivered with each batch.
- Documentation
- Product Information File (PIF) and notification dossier prepared by Butter-C, with raw material COAs and active assay results.
- Packaging
- Label design, printing and packing run in parallel with formula development.
Suggested product concept
Morning vitamin C, E and ferulic acid serum
A product direction to help you picture the concept, not a ready-made product for sale. The actual formula is developed to fit your brand's positioning and price range.
Ferulic Acid
The named ingredient, at 0.5% within the system with vitamins C and E as in the published research; the label level matches the assay result.
Ascorbic Acid, Tocopherol
The two accompanying vitamins — the part of the system that ferulic acid helped stabilize in experiments; low pH, with co-solvents keeping ferulic acid dissolved.
Propanediol, Glycerin, Disodium EDTA
Co-solvent, humectant and metal-ion chelator (the chelator is confirmed by comparison on the formula); fragrance-free, alcohol-free.
30 ml dark glass bottle
Light-blocking; the label carries correct INCI names, morning-use directions, a sunscreen reminder and a reminder to close tightly after use.
Customization options
What you can specify
The same product type can be aimed at very different customers. Tell us your requirements in the areas below and our pharmacists will develop a matching formula.
Vitamin C form
L-ascorbic acid at the published ratio, or a more stable derivative — this decides the pH, the gentleness and which data can be cited.
Ferulic acid level
0.5% as in the studied system, or another level set by solubility testing and assay; there is no specific limit in the ASEAN annexes.
Ferulic acid origin
Synthetic or from rice bran — a “from rice bran” story is used only when the COA and supplier confirm it.
Target skin group
Skin already used to actives, or sensitive skin; for sensitive skin, the vitamin C derivative or vitamin C-free direction is preferred.
Ingredient preferences
Fragrance-free, alcohol-free, silicone-free — please state these up front, as they directly affect the solvent system.
Packaging
Dark glass bottle or airless pump — this determines how well the product is protected from light and air.
Further reading
Related knowledge
Ferulic acid in cosmetics
Mechanisms, key studies, concentrations, stability and regulatory notes (in Vietnamese).
Vitamin C serum OEM/ODM manufacturing
The general page on vitamin C forms, pH and packaging — there, ferulic acid is one of the accompanying antioxidants.
Vitamin C in cosmetics
L-ascorbic acid and its derivatives, pH below 3.5 for absorption and why serums change color (in Vietnamese).
Vitamin E (tocopherol) in cosmetics
The third member of the C + E + ferulic system: forms of vitamin E and contact allergy in a small proportion of people (in Vietnamese).
Resveratrol serum OEM/ODM manufacturing
Another antioxidant serum in the same range, with its own solubility and light challenges.
How we work
From idea to finished batch
Eight steps and three milestones signed off by both sides: approved sample, notification number, finished batch. Step-by-step details (in Vietnamese) →
Get started
Tell us about the product you plan to launch
Send us your product direction and expected volume. Our team will get back to you during business hours (Vietnam time, GMT+7).
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