Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3%
A water-free antioxidant serum that helps protect skin from the visible effects of environmental stress and supports brighter, smoother-looking skin.
A strong antioxidant add-on for people who already understand their routine and want extra protection against dullness and visible environmental stress.
Comparable resveratrol and ferulic acid serums from other brands (particularly the famous SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic) cost 10–15x more. The Ordinary's 3% + 3% water-free formula makes the resveratrol-ferulic combination available at a price where daily use is practical without budget anxiety.
Morning under SPF is ideal for maximum antioxidant protection against daytime environmental stress. Can also be used in the evening as a repair-support step. Apply after water-based serums and before your moisturizer and SPF.
Advanced routine users who understand antioxidant stacking and want the proven resveratrol-ferulic combination at an accessible price point. Also great for anyone who wants a lightweight, SPF-friendly morning antioxidant step that layers without heaviness.
If you add it on top of an already overloaded antioxidant routine without purpose. If you already use a vitamin C serum, a resveratrol product, and a multi-antioxidant serum, adding this on top may feel redundant without any additional clinical benefit.
The water-free format is unlikely to irritate a stressed barrier directly. If you are scaling back your routine during a flare, this is a reasonable step to keep if your routine is otherwise very minimal.
- A vitamin C serum (ascorbyl glucoside or L-ascorbic acid) applied first for triple antioxidant coverage
- SPF 30+ over the top — the antioxidant protection is most valuable alongside UV protection
- The Multi-Antioxidant Radiance Serum as a complementary broader-spectrum antioxidant step
Best For
- Antioxidant support
- Dull skin
- Smoother-looking skin
- Environmental stress support
- Advanced routine layering
How to Use
Apply after water-based serums and before SPF in the morning, or in the evening before moisturizer. A small amount goes a long way with the water-free texture.
Key Ingredients
Resveratrol neutralizes free radicals generated by UV radiation, pollution, and oxidative stress — reducing the cumulative cellular damage that leads to dullness, uneven tone, and accelerated skin ageing. It also activates sirtuins (longevity-associated proteins that regulate cellular repair) and has documented anti-inflammatory properties that can calm visible redness and reduce inflammatory ageing pathways.
Ferulic acid neutralizes reactive oxygen species (free radicals) directly. More significantly, it dramatically stabilizes and amplifies the antioxidant effectiveness of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) and vitamin E (tocopherol) — a combination that has been shown in research to double the photoprotection provided by vitamins C and E alone, and to stabilize the rapidly degrading L-ascorbic acid for significantly longer. It is one of the most important synergistic ingredients in modern antioxidant formulation.
Softens and conditions the skin, reinforces the moisture barrier, and provides a lightweight emollient feel without greasiness.
Full Ingredient List
About This Product
The Ordinary Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3% is an anhydrous (water-free) antioxidant serum combining two of the most well-researched antioxidant actives in cosmetics at meaningful concentrations. Resveratrol — a polyphenol found in grape skin — neutralizes reactive oxygen species (free radicals) generated by UV, pollution, and environmental stress. Ferulic acid is a plant-derived hydroxycinnamic acid that functions as both a direct antioxidant and a stability-enhancing agent that significantly extends the effectiveness of other antioxidants in the same formula. At 3% each, both are at concentrations that deliver real activity — not cosmetic trace amounts. The water-free format stabilizes both actives and allows for an anhydrous texture that layers cleanly under moisturizers and SPF.