Ingredients

Ethylated Ascorbic Acid

Written by Reviewed by the SYNC editorial team Published Last reviewed Editorial standards

Ethylated Ascorbic Acid — a stabilized vitamin C derivative, also known as 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid, in which an ethyl group is attached to ascorbic acid to improve stability while allowing conversion to active vitamin C. It is both water- and partly oil-compatible, making it versatile across formulations.

Key points

  • Ethylated ascorbic acid (3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid) resists oxidation better than pure L-ascorbic acid.
  • It is studied for antioxidant activity and support of a brighter, more even skin tone.
  • Its structure allows relatively good skin penetration compared to some other derivatives.
  • It is often used in modern serums seeking both stability and vitamin C benefits.

Frequently asked

What does the '3-O-ethyl' in ethylated ascorbic acid mean?

It refers to an ethyl group bonded at a specific position on the ascorbic acid molecule, which stabilizes it while still allowing conversion to active vitamin C in the skin.

Can ethylated ascorbic acid be used daily?

It is generally suitable for daily use and is well tolerated by many skin types, though introducing it gradually helps you gauge your skin's response.

Related topics

This is a foundational entry in the SYNC Skin Encyclopedia and is expanded over time. Educational information only — not medical advice.

Encyclopedia

Further reading

This entry was written and checked against the sources below. They are published by clinical and scientific bodies, they are listed most readable first, and each one opens in a new tab. They are background for the whole entry rather than footnotes to individual sentences.

  1. Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) as a Cosmeceutical to Increase Dermal Collagen for Skin Antiaging Purposes PubMed Central Peer-reviewed, open access pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. Topical Vitamin C and the Skin: Mechanisms of Action PubMed Central Peer-reviewed, open access pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. Vitamin C in dermatology PubMed Central Peer-reviewed, open access pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. A review of topical vitamin C derivatives and their efficacy PubMed Peer-reviewed (abstract) pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  5. Vitamin C NIH Office of Dietary Supplements Clinical guidance ods.od.nih.gov
  6. Vitamin C cream DermNet NZ Clinical guidance dermnetnz.org

SYNC does not publish medical advice. Nothing here replaces a consultation with a doctor or a pharmacist about your own skin.