What is the difference between vitamin c and l ascorbic acid

One study even recommends applying a vitamin C serum every eight hours, or twice daily for the pinnacle of protection. Vitamin C has photoprotective properties and staves off oxidative stress from the free radicals we meet throughout our day. Think car exhaust, cigarette smoke, certain chemicals, even booze and overprocessed foods. This can be achieved by applying every eight hours.

You might be ready to hit the buy button, but choosing a vitamin C serum that will actually go to work for your skin involves a bit of product research.

We delved into the science and made some recommendations. Form: Vitamin C can appear on the ingredient label as several different names, but the one you want is L-ascorbic acid, which is the most effective. Make sure this good-guy ingredient is close to the top of the label, ideally as one of the first five ingredients. Concentration: The sweet spot for the concentration level is between 10 and 20 percent. Vitamin C is mostly safe to use, but in rare instances, side effects may occur, like stinging, redness, dryness, or a yellowish discoloration.

As with any new product, try a patch test first before a full application. Ingredient: Look for both vitamins C and E, or L-ascorbic acid and tocopherol respectively, on your ingredient list. Think of these skin boosters as besties that do well together. Vitamin E stabilizes vitamin C for maximum skin protection. Another antioxidant called glutathione also is a good pal to vitamin C. Then check for ferulic acid , which helps lower the pH level of vitamin C to below 3.

Packaging: Exposure to air, light, and heat can degrade your serum. Look for a product that comes in a dark glass bottle featuring a medicine dropper delivery, rather than an air pump. A tube also works. Some retailers suggest storing the product in the refrigerator to prolong its shelf life.

A thoughtful brand will include label instructions on how to store their serums. Photoageing can be prevented by prevention of UV-induced erythema, sunburn cell formation and inducing collagen repair. C does not absorb UV light but exerts an UV-protective effect by neutralizing free radicals, while this effect is not seen with sunscreens.

Although Vit. C alone can provide photoprotection, it works best in conjunction with Vitamin E Vit. E , which potentiates the action of Vit. C four-fold. Hydrophilic Vit. C helps regenerate Vit. E, a liphophilic antioxidant. C and Vit. E together protect the hydrophilic and lipophilic compartments of the cell, respectively. E synergistically limit chronic UV damage by significantly reducing both cell apoptosis and thymine dimer formation. A combination of 0. E can increase the efficacy of Vit.

C eight-fold. C is essential for collagen biosynthesis. It has been proposed that Vit. C influences quantitative collagen synthesis in addition to stimulating qualitative changes in the collagen molecule. C serves as a co-factor for the enzymes prolysyl and lysyl hydroxylase, the enzymes that are responsible for stabilizing and cross-linking the collagen molecules. C influences the collagen synthesis is by stimulation of lipid peroxidation, and the product of this process, malondialdehyde, in turn stimulates collagen gene expression.

C also directly activates the transcription of collagen synthesis and stabilizes procollagen mRNA, thereby regulating collagen synthesis. C, are due to impaired collagen synthesis. Clinical studies have shown that the topical use of Vit. C increases collagen production in young as well as aged human skin. When choosing a depigmenting agent, it is important to differentiate between substances that are toxic to the melanocyte and substances that interrupt the key steps of melanogenesis.

C falls into the latter category of depigmenting agents. C interacts with copper ions at the tyrosinase-active site and inhibits action of the enzyme tyrosinase, thereby decreasing the melanin formation.

C also acts on the perifollicular pigment. C is an unstable compound. It is therefore often combined with other depigmenting agents such as soy and liquorice for better depigmenting effect. As stated earlier, Vit. C has a potential anti-inflammatory activity and can be used in conditions like acne vulgaris and rosacea.

It can promote wound healing and prevent post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. C is available in the market as a variety of creams, serum and transdermal patches.

Of these, only the serum contains active Vit. C in an almost colorless form. The stability of Vit. C is controlled by maintaining a pH of less than 3. At this pH, the ionic charge on the molecule is removed and it is transported well across the stratum corneum. From a clinical point of view, it is important to note that the efficacy of the Vit. A persistent reservoir of Vit. C is important for adequate photoprotection, and can be achieved by regular 8-hourly applications.

C levels, topical Vit. C is best used after exposure to UV light and not prior. C has been shown to increase the bioavailability of Vit. A variety of creams with Vit. C derivatives are available in the market. As a dermatologist, it is important to know that not all preparations are physiologically effective.

Some are not delivered into the dermis in an adequate quantity, while others do not chemically convert to the biologically active form of Vit. Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate MAP is the most stable and preferred ascorbyl ester.

This lipophilic molecule is easily absorbed into the skin, and the rate-limiting step for absorption is its release from the vehicle, and not the rate of diffusion across the stratum corneum as one might suppose. MAP has a hydrating effect on the skin and decreases transepidermal water loss. It is also a free radical scavenger that is photoprotective and increases collagen production under laboratory test conditions. Ascorbyl 6 palmitate, a lipophilic free radical scavenger that hydrolyses to Vit.

C and palmitic acid. C with a C8 alkyl chain attached to the stable ascorbyl moiety. This ensures increased permeability across the epidermis. Tetraisopalmitoyl ascorbic acid, a lipophilic provitamin and sodium ascorbate, are derivatives under research. Topical Vit. C is largely safe to use on a daily basis for long durations. It can safely be used in conjunction with other common topical anti-ageing agents such as sunscreens, tretinoin, other antioxidants and alfa hydroxy acids such as glycolic acid.

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Austria R. Stability of vitamin C derivatives in solution and in topical formulations. Journal of Pharmacology and Biomedical Analysis. Sauberlich, H. Effects of erythorbic acid on vitamin C metabolism in young women. Absorption rates and free radical scavenging values of vitamin C-lipid metabolites in human lymphoblastic cells. Med Sci Monit. A novel vitamin C preparation enhances neurite formation and fibroblast adhesion and reduces xenobiotic-induced T-cell hyperactivation.

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Liposomal-encapsulated ascorbic scid: influence on vitamin C bioavailability and capacity to protect against ischemia-reperfusion injury. Nutr Metab Insights. Donate to the MIC. Subscribe to our Research Newsletter. The Linus Pauling Institute's Micronutrient Information Center provides scientific information on the health aspects of dietary factors and supplements, food, and beverages for the general public.

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For media contact information. Skip to main content. Toggle menu Go to search page. Search Field. Supplemental Forms. Natural vs. Different forms of ascorbic acid The gastrointestinal absorption of ascorbic acid occurs through an active transport process, as well as through passive diffusion. Mineral ascorbates Mineral salts of ascorbic acid mineral ascorbates are less acidic , and therefore, considered "buffered.

Mineral ascorbates are available in the following forms: Sodium ascorbate: 1, mg of sodium ascorbate generally contains mg of sodium. Individuals following low-sodium diets e. Thus, megadoses of vitamin C in the form of sodium ascorbate could significantly increase sodium intake see Sodium Chloride.