Many skin care companies are formulating products, such as eye creams, with ferulic acid due to its ability to protect against sun damage protection and well as its ability to enhance properties of other vitamins for healthier skin. A new study published in the journal Life Sciences developed a ferulic acid-loaded nanoemulsion-based gel to ensure the enhanced permeability and maximum antioxidant activity against UVA-induced oxidative stress in rat (Oct. 2, 2015).

The optimized ferulic acid nanoemulsion (FA-NE3) was prepared by spontaneous nanoemulsification method with an appropriate ratio of the oil, aqueous system and Smix, respectively. FA-NE3 was characterized by measuring their droplet size, zeta potential, refractive index, TEM, UV, FTIR and rheological characteristics. Ex vivo skin permeation and in vivo UVA protection activity of FA-NE3 based nano-gels (FA-NG3) along with placebo were studied through the rat skin.

FA-NE3 exhibited sustained-release profile, better permeability and UVA protection activity as compared to conventional dosage form. This phenomenon may be attributed toward increased solubility of the drug and enhanced permeability from nanoemulsion. FA-NG3 could elevate the level of skin marker enzymes against oxidative stress mediated by UVA.

The researchers said “The gel formulation exhibited significant skin permeability and antioxidant activity in the current investigations. The nanogel could be promising nanocarriers for topical delivery of ferulic acid in response to better skin protection activity against UVA rays in a sustained manner."

Ferulic acid shows promise for facial skin care but, as many beauty companies have already discovered, it also shows promise for creams designed for delicate areas such as the under eye.