ACTIVE
Vitamin C (Ascorbyl Glucoside)
A stable, water-soluble derivative of vitamin C (Ascorbyl Glucoside) that converts to active ascorbic acid once on skin, valued for antioxidant support and improved stability over less stable vitamin C forms.
Source
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) bonded to glucose
Used for
Antioxidant support
How it works
Ascorbyl Glucoside is a water-soluble derivative of vitamin C, made by bonding a glucose molecule to the vitamin C structure. This bonding is what gives it much greater stability than less stable vitamin C forms; once applied to skin, it is designed to be converted by naturally occurring skin enzymes into active ascorbic acid, so skin can still receive vitamin C's antioxidant benefits.
A scientific review of vitamin C in skin describes ascorbyl glucoside as showing superior stability compared with other forms and as able to penetrate skin.
Ascorbyl Glucoside's main advantage over less stable vitamin C forms is exactly this: it holds up well in a formula without needing special handling, while being designed to convert to the same active antioxidant once on skin. It's typically used in the morning, layered after cleansing and before moisturiser and SPF, since its antioxidant support complements daily sun protection rather than replacing it.
A scientific review of vitamin C in skin describes ascorbyl glucoside as showing superior stability compared with other forms and as able to penetrate skin.
Ascorbyl Glucoside's main advantage over less stable vitamin C forms is exactly this: it holds up well in a formula without needing special handling, while being designed to convert to the same active antioxidant once on skin. It's typically used in the morning, layered after cleansing and before moisturiser and SPF, since its antioxidant support complements daily sun protection rather than replacing it.
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A stable, water-soluble vitamin C derivative designed to convert to active ascorbic acid in skin
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Described in a scientific review as showing superior stability among vitamin C forms
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Pairs naturally with vitamin E, which vitamin C helps regenerate
Questions
What is ascorbyl glucoside?
Ascorbyl glucoside is vitamin C (ascorbic acid) with a glucose molecule attached. In cosmetics it is listed as an antioxidant, used both to protect the formula and to help protect skin from oxidative stress. Attaching the glucose gives a more stable form than pure ascorbic acid, and a review of vitamin C in skin describes ascorbyl glucoside as having superior stability. (COSMILE Europe; Pullar et al., 2017)
Does ascorbyl glucoside turn into vitamin C in skin?
That is how it is designed to work. A review of vitamin C in skin notes that ascorbyl glucoside shows superior stability and can penetrate skin, where it is designed to be converted by naturally occurring skin enzymes into active vitamin C. (Pullar et al., 2017)
Is ascorbyl glucoside the same as ascorbyl palmitate?
No. Both are forms of vitamin C used in cosmetics and both are listed as antioxidants, but ascorbyl palmitate is vitamin C joined to palmitic acid, a fatty acid, which makes it lipid-soluble. A review notes that the palmitate form is designed to help delivery into skin but does not necessarily show improved stability, whereas ascorbyl glucoside shows superior stability. (COSMILE Europe; Pullar et al., 2017)
Can vitamin C be used with vitamin E?
Yes, and the two are a classic pairing. The European cosmetic ingredient database notes that combining vitamin C with vitamin E is recommended because the two regenerate each other, which is why they are so often formulated together. Ascorbyl glucoside itself is one of the more stable forms of vitamin C used in cosmetics for this antioxidant role. (COSMILE Europe)
Where it comes from
Ascorbyl glucoside is not extracted from a plant as such. It is vitamin C with a glucose molecule attached at a specific position, and the European cosmetic ingredient database records its origin as plant, synthetic or biotechnology. (COSMILE Europe)
Vitamin C itself is naturally concentrated in healthy skin, at levels well above those in blood plasma, with more in the outer epidermis than in the dermis beneath. Plain ascorbic acid, however, does not pass easily into skin, and derivatives such as ascorbyl glucoside were developed with better stability in mind. (Pullar et al., 2017)
Vitamin C itself is naturally concentrated in healthy skin, at levels well above those in blood plasma, with more in the outer epidermis than in the dermis beneath. Plain ascorbic acid, however, does not pass easily into skin, and derivatives such as ascorbyl glucoside were developed with better stability in mind. (Pullar et al., 2017)
The research
- Pullar JM, Carr AC, Vissers MCM. The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Health. Nutrients, 2017. PMID: 28805671 (opens in a new tab)
- COSMILE Europe (Cosmetics Europe) cosmetic ingredient database: Ascorbyl Glucoside (function: antioxidant; origin: plant/synthetic/biotechnology) (opens in a new tab)
- COSMILE Europe (Cosmetics Europe) cosmetic ingredient database: Ascorbyl Palmitate (functions: antioxidant, perfume excipient) (opens in a new tab)
Found In
Type: Face Care
Vitamin C Ferulic Antioxidant Serum
30mlRegular price £38.00Sale price Regular price
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