From scavenging free radicals and lightening dark spots to stimulating collagen production and promoting wound healing, vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is a multitasker in maintaining healthy skin.
However, the water-soluble vitamin is unstable due to oxidation and may fail to perform accordingly. Moreover, the skin may not even absorb it. All of this limits the general efficacy of vitamin C in terms of skincare.
The availability of more stable and oil soluble derivatives, such as tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate and ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate, solves the problem, and we're seeing more of them on the labels of skincare products.
With a lipophilic and hydrophilic structure, 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid is another stabilised form of vitamin C, used especially for a skin-brightening effect.
Other approaches to boost performance include increasing concentration, combining it with synergistic ingredients and a freshly-activated delivery system.
Eucerin Hyaluron Filler Vitamin C Booster with hyaluronic acid, licochalcone A and 10% freshly-activated vitamin C.
Boots Vitamin C Advanced Brightening & Smoothing formulas contain a complex featuring ethyl ascorbic acid and ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate.
Boots Vitamin C Advanced Brightening & Smoothing formulas contain a complex featuring ethyl ascorbic acid and ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate.
Boots Vitamin C Advanced Brightening & Smoothing formulas contain a complex featuring ethyl ascorbic acid and ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate.
Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Targeted Spot Brightener and Power Serum with 10% and 20% tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate as well as synergistic ferulic acid and vitamin E.
Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Targeted Spot Brightener and Power Serum with 10% and 20% tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate as well as synergistic ferulic acid and vitamin E. Kanokporn Chanasongkram
Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum with highly-stable and oil-soluble tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate.
Dr Dennis Gross C + Collagen Brighten & Firm Vitamin C Serum features 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid with a lipophilic and hydrophilic structure. Dr Dennis Gross
This Works Morning Expert Vitamin C Power Mask with jojoba and sweet almond oil, and 10% water-activated vitamin C granules.
