Ingredient reference
Vitamin C
Vitamin C in skincare is a family of ingredients, not one. Our formulas record Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Ascorbyl Glucoside and Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate — all derivatives, all more stable in a bottle than pure L-ascorbic acid.
Why derivatives exist
L-ascorbic acid is the most-studied form and the least stable. It reacts with air, light and warmth, which is why those formulas turn yellow and then brown, and why they are sold in opaque bottles with tight caps. Derivatives are modified versions built to survive longer in the jar. Stability is the trade the formulator is making.
The names in our formulas
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Ascorbyl Glucoside and Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate. These are water-soluble, sit at a gentler pH than L-ascorbic acid, and are less prone to oxidising on the shelf. As always, the complete list on the product page is the record for a given formula.
Storage, and what colour tells you
Keep vitamin C products closed, out of direct sun, and off a hot bathroom windowsill. If a clear or pale formula has turned deep yellow or brown, it has oxidised. That is a signal to replace it rather than to use it up faster.
What this page does not do
This is an ingredient reference. It describes what the ingredient is, how it behaves in a formula, and where it appears in our catalogue. It does not make a performance, safety, suitability or timeline claim, and it does not replace the complete ingredient list on a product page.
Quick answers
Is a vitamin C derivative the same as L-ascorbic acid?
No. Derivatives are modified forms chosen for stability. They are separate ingredients and are listed under their own names.
Why has my vitamin C product changed colour?
Oxidation, usually from air, light or heat. A pronounced colour change means the formula has degraded.
Morning or evening?
Follow the directions on the specific product page. Where a step sits in a routine is a formulation question rather than a general rule.
Where do I find the complete formula?
On the product page for the item you are considering. Read the complete ingredient list there before purchasing.
In these formulas
Each product page carries its own complete ingredient list. Read it there before purchasing.
