CAS# 50-81-7

Description:

L-ACSORBIC ACID : Vitamin C also known as l-ascorbic acid , is a vitamin found in food, used as dietary supplement and in cosmetics.

Vitamin C, a potent, naturally occurring antioxidant is an important constituent of skin.  It plays a pivotal role in the prevention of dry skin and wrinkles, collagen synthesis and skin regeneration.  Ascorbate is found in all layers of the skin, but is more concentrated in the epidermis than the dermis.  However, it is readily depleted by about two thirds in cutaneous tissue stores with exposure to UV light.

Topical application of Vitamin C has been shown to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Caused by mechanisms supporting collagen production, this leads to improving the appearance of the skin.  It has further been proven to reduce the severity of sunburns and age spots.

Cutaneous levels of Vitamin C cannot be achieved well by ingestion, hence topical application is essential for preventing oxidative damage resulting from pollution, smoke and sunlight.  Its use has been shown to increase generation of stratum corneum barrier lipids and stabilize lipid profiles, in particular glucosphingolipids and ceramides.

The difficulty for the cosmetic formulator is that L-Ascorbic Acid is very unstable in  solutions, as it starts to oxidize immediately, gradually producing color changes (orange/brown shift) and a reduction in activity as it converts to dehydroascorbic acid.

Cosmetic Function(s):

• Antioxidant
• Fragrance Ingredient
• pH Adjuster
• Skin-Conditioning Agent