L-Ascorbic Acid

Ascorbic Acid

Low hazardMolecular weight 176.12

What does L-Ascorbic Acid do for skin?

A reducing enediol, cofactor of collagen hydroxylases, reduces oxidation intermediates. Sensitive to oxygen, metals and light in aqueous solution.

Dose on file: clinical 5%; photoprotection combination product 15%

Is L-Ascorbic Acid safe in skincare?

Low hazardHazard 2/10

CIR safe as used

Based on

  • Reference: CIR

    Safe as used · CIR: safe as used at reported concentrations.

Is L-Ascorbic Acid classified as a carcinogen?

Only four bodies count here: IARC, EU CLP, US NTP and California Prop 65.

Not classified by IARC, EU CLP, US NTP, or California Prop 65.

How is L-Ascorbic Acid regulated?

Cosmetic ingredient

Not found on any prescription-drug, professional-treatment, or US OTC monograph list, so it is treated as a cosmetic ingredient. This is a passive default ("not on any known restricted list"), not an individually verified positive finding.

Is L-Ascorbic Acid safe during pregnancy?

  • Pregnant

    Not enough data

  • Nursing

    Not enough data

  • Planning

    Not enough data

We found no pregnancy conclusion for L-ascorbic acid (Putra 2022 describes how it works only).

L-Ascorbic Acid benefits for skin, by concern

These raw scores are only shown here, in the ingredient dictionary.

  • Antioxidant and Vitality8.0

    Dose on file: clinical 5%; photoprotection combination product 15%

    The main evidence is a human UV study of a specific 15% LAA + 1% alpha-tocopherol + 0.5% ferulic acid formulation. Per-ingredient independent effect sizes and SPF cannot be separated.

    • Reference: Humbert et al., 2003
    • Reference: Espinal-Perez et al., 2004
    • Reference: Murray et al., 2008
  • Photoaging and UV Damage7.5

    Dose on file: clinical 5%; photoprotection combination product 15%

    The 5% 6-month study showed improvement of existing photoageing; the 15% LAA + 1% alpha-tocopherol + 0.5% ferulic acid study assessed photoprotection before irradiation.

    • Reference: Humbert et al., 2003
    • Reference: Murray et al., 2008
  • Wrinkles and Elasticity7.0

    Dose on file: clinical 5%; photoprotection combination product 15%

    • Reference: Humbert et al., 2003
    • Reference: Espinal-Perez et al., 2004
    • Reference: Murray et al., 2008
  • Whitening and Brightening6.5

    Dose on file: clinical 5%; photoprotection combination product 15%

    • Reference: Humbert et al., 2003
    • Reference: Espinal-Perez et al., 2004
    • Reference: Murray et al., 2008
  • Blemishes and Hyperpigmentation6.0

    Dose on file: clinical 5%; photoprotection combination product 15%

    • Reference: Humbert et al., 2003
    • Reference: Espinal-Perez et al., 2004
    • Reference: Murray et al., 2008
  • PIH and Scars5.0

    Dose on file: PIH stand-alone effective concentration N/A; studies for other pigment disorders are in sections 2 and 4

    Mainly extrapolated from other pigment disorders. The stand-alone effective range for PIH is N/A, and this differs from evidence for restoring scar structure.

    • Reference: Humbert et al., 2003
    • Reference: Espinal-Perez et al., 2004
    • Reference: Murray et al., 2008
  • Dark Circles and Periorbital Vascularity3.5

    Dose on file: vascular dark circles stand-alone N/A; studies for other purposes: clinical 5%; photoprotection combination product 15%

    The definite effective concentration for the periorbital area itself is N/A or limited to a specific combination. Moisturising, wrinkle and pigment results are not turned into vascular dark-circle improvement.

    • Reference: Humbert et al., 2003
    • Reference: Espinal-Perez et al., 2004
    • Reference: Murray et al., 2008
  • Freckles Ephelides3.0

    Dose on file: freckles stand-alone clinical N/A; concentrations for other indications: see sections 2 and 4

    Ephelides: direct effective concentration N/A. A limited inference from other pigment disorders or optical evidence; does not guarantee complete removal or prevention of recurrence.

    • Reference: Humbert et al., 2003
    • Reference: Espinal-Perez et al., 2004
    • Reference: Murray et al., 2008

Products that list this ingredient

609 products in our catalog list this ingredient. Here are the 12 with the most reviews.

Sources (4)

  • Reference: Humbert et al., 2003
  • Reference: Espinal-Perez et al., 2004
  • Reference: Murray et al., 2008
  • Reference: CIR

Red does not mean poison. Preservatives that stop a product going off, UV filters and fragrance can land on yellow or red depending on their score.

Green does not mean right for you. Skin and allergies differ from person to person. Treat the color as a starting point.