Products Description

3-O-Ethyl-L-Ascorbic Acid white crystalline powder cosmetic raw material

3-O-Ethyl-L-Ascorbic Acid is a stable ethylated vitamin C derivative widely used in cosmetics, food, and pharmaceutical fields. Compared with pure vitamin C, it features stronger stability, better transdermal absorption, and higher antioxidant activity, making it a core active ingredient for high‑end brightening, anti‑aging, and repairing formulations.

Technical Specification

Test Item	Standard Specification	Test Method
Molecular Formula	C₈H₁₂O₆	Elemental Analysis
Molecular Weight	204.18 g/mol	Mass Spectrometry
Appearance	White to off-white crystalline powder	Visual Inspection
Purity (HPLC)	≥98.0% (Cosmetic Grade)	High Performance Liquid Chromatography
Water Solubility	≥778 g/L (20℃)	Gravimetric Method
pH Value (1% Aqueous Solution)	5.0 – 7.0	pH Meter
Melting Point	112℃	Melting Point Tester
Storage Stability (pH 5–7)	No discoloration & inactivation within 12 months (room temperature)	Accelerated Stability Test
Light & Heat Resistance	No obvious degradation after 48h under 45℃ & UV irradiation	Environmental Simulation Test
Loss on Drying	≤1.0%	Drying Method
Heavy Metal (Pb/As/Hg/Cd)	Compliant with EU Cosmetic Raw Material Standards	Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy

Safety Profile

Safety Evaluation & Toxicological Data

Skin Irritation: Non-irritating to normal skin and sensitive skin within cosmetic conventional dosage range; no cumulative irritation in long-term topical use .
Eye Irritation: Slightly irritating to eyes in pure state; finished cosmetics with conventional concentration will not cause eye irritation .
Allergenicity: Low allergy risk, not listed in EWG restricted allergen ingredients .
Authority Assessment: Certified safe by CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) and SCCS. Maximum safe dosage for leave-on cosmetic products: ≤10%; maximum safe dosage for rinse-off cosmetic products: ≤10% .
DPPH Radical Scavenging IC₅₀: 0.032 g/L, high antioxidant activity with low toxic risk .

Available Safety & Compliance Certificates

SDS (Safety Data Sheet) – Full version in English, available for download & customs declaration
COSMETIC GMP Certificate
EU Cosmetic Regulation (EC 1223/2009) Compliance Report
CIR Safety Assessment Report
Heavy Metal & Microorganism Test Report
Non-animal cruelty certification

Product Application

01.

Powerful Antioxidant & Anti‑Aging

Scavenges free radicals at 1.8× the efficiency of L‑ascorbic acid, activates fibroblasts, boosts collagen synthesis by up to 35% in vitro, improves skin elasticity, and reduces fine lines and wrinkles.

02.

Skin Whitening & Spot Fading

Inhibits tyrosinase activity, blocks melanin synthesis, and reduces existing melanin. Clinical tests show a 23% reduction in dark spot area after 8 weeks of using a 2% solution.

03.

UV Damage Protection & Repair

Neutralizes UV‑induced free radicals, reduces sunburn cells, and provides dual antioxidant + anti‑inflammatory protection for daily sun‑repair routines.

04.

Excellent Stability & Penetration

Ethyl modification improves lipid solubility and skin permeability; stable in pH 5–7, less affected by light and heat, easy to formulate and store.

Everything You Need to Know

Is 3-O-Ethyl-L-Ascorbic Acid more stable than pure vitamin C?

A: Yes. The ethyl group protects the molecule from oxidation, light, and heat. It remains stable in pH 5–7 without easy yellowing or inactivation, greatly extending shelf life compared to L‑ascorbic acid.

Can 3-O-Ethyl-L-Ascorbic Acid really penetrate skin and work?

A: Yes. Its amphiphilic structure improves transdermal absorption. It converts to active vitamin C inside skin layers to deliver brightening, antioxidant, and collagen‑boosting effects.

What concentration is recommended for formulations?

A: Common effective range is 1%–5%. For spot fading and anti‑aging, 2%–5% is widely used; higher concentrations up to 10% are safe and non‑irritating in professional formulas.

Is it suitable for sensitive skin?

A: Yes. It is milder than pure vitamin C, non‑irritating at cosmetic concentrations, and compatible with most skin types including sensitive skin.