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Ascorbic Acid

Our database includes 2,276 products that contain Ascorbic Acid.

Explained

Ascorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C. This form makes up the largest amount of vitamin C found naturally in our skin.

Not only is vitamin C great for your overall health and immune system, it also has plenty of benefits on your skin.

Vitamin C is best used for brightening skin. It improves dark spots, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation. This is because it blocks the process of skin darkening when exposed to UV.

Remember: Vitamin C should not replace sunscreen!

Your skin uses vitamin C to build collagen. Collagen is one key component in having a strong skin barrier and plump skin. Vitamin C also plays a role in regulating collagen, thus making it effective in improving wrinkles and fine lines.

Ascorbic acid shows potent antioxidant activity. As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. These antioxidants also protect skin against UV damage.

The best formulations include Vitamin E and/or ferulic acid. These two ingredients help stabilize and provide a boost in the benefits of ascorbic acid. This is because ascorbic acid becomes unstable when exposed to UV and air. In fact, you can tell your ascorbic acid has oxidized when it turns an orange-yellow color.

Ascorbic acid is generally compatible with other ingredients. However, using ascorbic acid with other active ingredients might cause irritation. Two ingredients: copper ions and benzoyl peroxide, will inactivate ascorbic acid completely.

Read more about other types of Vitamin C:

Foods rich with vitamin C include oranges, strawberries, broccoli, bell peppers, and more. When consuming Vitamin C, your skin receives a portion of the nutrients.

You should know

What it is

Vitamin C
Antioxidant

Benefits

Reduces Redness
Brightening
Texture
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots
Scar Healing
Community Rating
Loved

What it does

Masking Obscuring or blocking
Skin Conditioning To hydrate and soften skin
Antioxidant A substance that inhibits oxidation, especially one, such as vitamin e, vitamin c, or beta carotene, that protects cellsfrom the sometimes damaging effects of oxidation.
Buffering Buffering ingredients help stabilise or adjust the ph level of a product.

Alternative names

Vitamin C
L-Ascorbic Acid

Prevalence

Uncommon Percentage of products that contain it
4.3%
Top categories
Treatments
Moisturizers
Cleansers
Position Predominant list placement
Bottom 50%
Concentration Concentrations we've seen
0% to 100%

References

CosIng Data

CosIng ID 74328
INCI Name ASCORBIC ACID
INN Name ascorbic acid
EC #  200-066-2 / 263-644-3
Ph. Eur. Name acidum ascoribicum
All Functions Antioxidant, Buffering, Masking, Skin Conditioning