Can you use vitamin C with vitamin E and ferulic acid?
Yes — they work well together
Yes. This is one of the best-studied skincare combinations: vitamin E and ferulic acid help stabilise vitamin C and boost its antioxidant protection.
Why
In laboratory tests, adding 0.5% ferulic acid to a 15% vitamin C and 1% vitamin E solution made the vitamins more stable and roughly doubled the protection it gave skin against UV damage (Lin 2005). A later small study on human skin found the same combination reduced sunburn reactions and UV-related DNA damage (Murray 2008).
It doesn't replace sunscreen. It works differently and adds to the protection sunscreen gives.
How to use them
- Use a serum that already contains all three in the morning, then moisturiser and SPF.
- Store it closed and away from light. If it turns dark orange or brown, the vitamin C has oxidised.
Read more about each ingredient
Not sure what's in a product? Paste its ingredient list into our ingredient checker to see which actives it contains.
Other combinations
- Can you use retinol and vitamin C together? — use at different times
- Can you use vitamin C and niacinamide together? — works well together
- Can you use vitamin C with AHAs or BHA? — yes, with care
- Can you use vitamin C and benzoyl peroxide together? — use at different times
- Can you use vitamin C and copper peptides together? — use at different times
Sources
- Lin FH et al. Ferulic acid stabilizes a solution of vitamins C and E and doubles its photoprotection of skin. J Invest Dermatol, 2005.
- Murray JC et al. A topical antioxidant solution containing vitamins C and E stabilized by ferulic acid provides protection for human skin against damage caused by ultraviolet irradiation. J Am Acad Dermatol, 2008.
Last reviewed 20 Oct 2026.
This is educational information, not medical advice. Introduce one new active at a time and patch test. If you use prescription skincare, or are pregnant or breastfeeding, check with your GP, pharmacist or dermatologist first.