Skip to content
Antioxidant

Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid)

INCI: Ascorbic Acid·Studied at 10–20%·Strong evidence

The most-studied form of topical vitamin C, an antioxidant associated with the appearance of brightness and evenness. It is also notoriously unstable, so packaging and pH matter.

Studied for

  • ·The appearance of radiance and even tone
  • ·Antioxidant support against visible environmental dullness

How it’s thought to work

A well-characterized antioxidant studied for association with the appearance of brighter, more even-looking skin; penetrates best at low pH.

Layering note

Often kept apart from: copper peptides (layered directly).

Questions

Is L-ascorbic acid the best vitamin C?
It is the most-researched form. It is also less stable than derivatives, so formulation (low pH, opaque air-tight packaging) matters a lot for whether it still works by the time you finish the bottle.

Serums we’ve scored with Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid)

References