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Liz deSousa for BYRDIE
One of the reasons vitamin C is such a popular ingredient is because everybody wants to achieve/maintain radiant skin. Having a glowing complexion not only makes you look more youthful, but it makes people look healthier. We get the appeal, it's why we've spent hours testing different vitamin C skincare products, but before you start stocking up it's important to know that there are different types of vitamin C. That's right, as with other skincare ingredients (ahem, retinoids), there are different types and each has slightly different benefits and, just like other skincare ingredients (ahem, hyaluronic acid), different molecular levels penetrate different levels of the skin. And today, we're here to talk about sodium ascorbyl phosphate.
This type of vitamin C is known for being gentler and more stable than its counterparts, and it still offers plenty of good-for you skin benefits. (Remember: Vitamin C is one of the most effective vitamins you can use topically to reap a multitude of benefits.) So, it's popularly known to be a safer bet for people with sensitive skin types than othes.
We understand that the world of skincare can feel confusing, so we tapped three board-certified dermatologists to break down everything there is to know about sodium ascorbyl phosphate. Below, they explain exactly what the ingredient is, what the benefits of using it are, what the potential side effects could be, how to best use it, and even list some of their favorite skincare products in case you decide to give this VIP vitamin a go.
Meet the Expert
- Jordan Carqueville, M.D., is a Chicago-based dermatologist.
- Michele Farber, M.D., is a dermatologist at the Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City.
- Mona Gohara, M.D., is an associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine.
What Is Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate?
Simply put, it’s a form of vitamin C, technically a salt, explains Carqueville. It’s notably less potent than the more commonly used form, l-ascorbic acid. “I think of l-ascorbic acid as the equivalent of lifting a ten pound weight, and sodium ascorbyl phosphate as a five pound weight,” says Gohara. "It's lighter and less intense, though still beneficial.” L-ascorbic acid is the bioactive form of the vitamin, a fancy of way saying it's the form that your skin can actually use. Sodium ascorbyl phosphate ultimately converts into ascorbic acid once it's in the skin; this conversion process is what makes it less active and, yes, also less effective. Still, this is also also why it's much less likely to cause irritation, Gohara explains.
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Type of Ingredient: Antioxidant
Main Benefits: Neutralizes skin-damaging free radicals, boosts collagen production, evens skin tone, has antimicrobial benefits.
Who Should Use It: In general, because this is less potent than other forms of vitamin C, it’s generally safe for all skin types, though some people may experience mild irritation.
How Often Can You Use It: Once to twice daily, although it’s always a good idea to start by using it just a few times per week and gradually increasing the frequency in order to ensure your skin can tolerate it, advises Farber.
Works Well With: Other antioxidants, in particular vitamin E and ferulic acid, as well as hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid.
Don't Use With: Benzoyl peroxide can oxidize vitamin C, and retinols work best at a different pH, says Farber. If both of these are a part of your regimen, use them at different times of the day.
The other major benefit? Most forms of vitamin C, l-ascorbic acid in particular, are notorious for being highly unstable, and easily degraded when exposed to light or oxygen. (This is why you'll often hear that it's best to look for vitamin C products housed in dark, opaque bottles.) Not the case here: “Sodium ascorbyl phosphate is considered to be one of the more stable forms of the vitamin and is light-, oxygen-, and water-stable,” says Carqueville. And that makes it not only easier to incorporate into different product formulations, but also means you don't have to worry about it losing its potency.
Benefits of Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate for Skin
At its core, any type of vitamin C is a top-notch antioxidant, although it delivers other types of benefits as well.
Fights free radicals: To that antioxidant point, “it works to combat the effects of UV damage by scavenging the free radicals that cause DNA changes and lead to signs of photoaging,” says Farber. (As a quick reminder, exposure to sun and pollution creates free radicals in the skin, which ultimately can cause things such as spots, wrinkles, and sagging—vitamin C combats this.)
Boosts collagen production: Along with those antioxidant properties, sodium ascorbyl phosphate is an ideal anti-aging ingredient, as with other vitamin C formulations, it has the ability to stimulate the production of collagen, the protein responsible for strong, youthful skin. (Interestingly enough, ingesting vitamin C can have the same effect.)
Evens out skin tone: Sodium ascorbyl phosphate is a great ingredient for those looking to combat hyperpigmentation or dark spots, says Carqueville. By inhibiting tyrosinase, the enzyme needed to produce melanin (pigment), it can help both fade existing and ward off future discoloration.
Has anti-acne benefits: According to a 2011 study sodium ascorbyl phosphate may have an antibacterial effect, and it has been proven to be an effective acne treatment. Coupled with the fact that it’s less irritating than other forms of the vitamin, it's a good pick for those prone to breakouts.
Side Effects of Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
While the more intense forms of vitamin C can be notoriously irritating, sodium ascorbyl phosphate is a great option for those who can’t tolerate it, says Gohara. Still, it is a very active ingredient, so there is some potential for irritation, particularly for those whose skin is on the super sensitive side.
How to Use Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
To get the most bang for your buck, look for serums with sodium ascorbyl phosphate, which will contain a higher concentration of the ingredient than a lotion or cream. Apply it in the morning, after cleansing, before moisturizer. This is prime-time to reap the antioxidant benefits of the ingredient, as it may help combat any free radicals that form due to the sun or pollution you're exposed to throughout the day. You can also look for serums that cocktail it with other antioxidants, or even layer an additional antioxidant serum on top, suggests Gohara. Just be sure to cap off this morning routine with a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least an SPF 30.
The Best Products With Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Along with 20 percent sodium ascorbyl phosphate, this also contains magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, another form of vitamin C that is extremely stable, according to Carqueville. It also contains ascorbyl palmitate, yet another version of the vitamin, along with a plant-based complex meant to further help even out skin tone.
Fun fact: Ole Henriksen was one of the original proponents of using vitamin C in skincare. This effective serum from his eponymous product line combines both sodium ascorbyl phosphate and collagen for a one-two anti-aging punch, promising to target spots, wrinkles, and more. It's no wonder Byrdie editors think it's one of the best vitamin C serums out there.
Sodium ascorbyl phosphate is the star of the show in this serum, from the (very affordable) brand often recommend by dermatologists. It's bolstered by hydrating glycerin and hyaluronic acid, making it moisturizing though still lightweight, everything we could want in a serum.
Gohara likes this "cosmetically elegant and highly concentrated" option, which contains both l-ascorbic acid and sodium ascorbyl phosphate for a double-dose of vitamin C. Vitamin E and ferulic acid round out the antioxidant trifecta.
Carqueville recommends this serum; it combines sodium ascorbyl phosphate along with two other antioxidant powerhouses, vitamin E and ferulic acid, all of which are meant to work synergistically. Hyaluronic acid makes it extra hydrating.
One of Byrdie's picks for the top vitamin-C infused products, this is a reader favorite. It's also an Amazon favorite, a top-seller that constantly draws raves reviews from customers who post impressive before and after photos.
