Description

Product Description

3-O-Ethyl-L-ascorbic acid is a derivative of vitamin C. Sometimes people call it ethylated vitamin C or just ethyl VC. It's not the same as pure ascorbic acid – it's been modified to be more stable and less irritating.So here's the thing about vitamin C: it works great for brightening skin and boosting collagen, but it's also super unstable. It oxidizes fast when exposed to light, air, or water. That's where the ethyl group comes in. By attaching an ethyl group to the third carbon position, the molecule becomes much harder to break down. It stays active longer in a formula, and it doesn't turn yellow or brown right away.What does it do in skincare? Same core benefits as vitamin C, but gentler. It inhibits tyrosinase – that's the enzyme behind dark spots. It also scavenges free radicals and helps brighten the skin over time. Unlike pure L-ascorbic acid, it doesn't sting or irritate as much, so it works for people with sensitive skin.One important thing: it's not a direct antioxidant in the bottle. Once it penetrates the skin, enzymes in the skin slowly cut off the ethyl group and release active vitamin C. So it acts like a delivery system – stable on the shelf, active once it's on your skin.In terms of handling: it's a white to off-white crystalline powder, fine texture, almost no smell. It dissolves easily in water – just add it to the water phase. Doesn't need super low pH to work. Typical use level in cosmetics is between 0.5% and 2%. At 0.5% you get some brightening effect; at 2% you're in serious anti‑aging territory. It's heat‑sensitive though – don't go above 50°C during production, or you'll start losing activity.For storage and packaging: keep it in a cool, dry place. The powder itself is stable, but like any vitamin C derivative, it doesn't like moisture or high heat. Most suppliers pack it in aluminum foil bags – 1 kg for samples, 25 kg in fiber drums.Safety wise – it's considered very safe. No significant skin irritation or sensitization at normal use levels. But as with any powder, wear a mask and goggles when handling the concentrated form. It's not a respiratory hazard, but fine powder can be annoying.One last thing: don't confuse it with other vitamin C derivatives like sodium ascorbyl phosphate or ascorbyl glucoside. They all work a bit differently. Ethyl VC is one of the best for balancing stability, efficacy, and skin feel. That's why you see it more and more in serums and brightening products these days.

3-O-Ethyl-L-ascorbic acid Characteristics

Appearance – White to off‑white crystalline powder. Almost no smell. Slight taste if anything, but not really noticeable.
Solubility – Water‑soluble. Add to water phase. Room temperature works but takes a bit longer; gentle heat (under 50°C) helps. Don't boil it.
Safety – Generally considered safe. Low irritation risk compared to pure vitamin C. No major sensitization issues at normal use levels (0.5–2%).
Handling caution – Fine powder can create dust. Wear a mask and goggles when weighing out larger amounts. Not super toxic, but don't breathe it in all day.
Downside – More expensive than plain ascorbic acid. Also, it's not active on its own – needs skin enzymes to release real vitamin C. Works slower than L‑ascorbic acid if you want instant results.
Function – Stable vitamin C derivative. Brightens skin, fades dark spots, antioxidant after conversion. Doesn't oxidize in the bottle like pure vitamin C does.

COA (Certificate of Analysis)

Test Item	Specification	Typical Result	Notes
Purity (HPLC or Titration)	≥ 99.0% (dry basis)	99.3%	Meets spec. Batch variation within ±0.5% is normal
Loss on Drying	≤ 1.0%	0.4%	Low moisture – no caking, stable in storage
Residue on Ignition	≤ 0.2%	0.1%	Very low ash – no silica or heavy mineral content added
Heavy Metals (as Pb)	≤ 10 ppm	< 5 ppm	Pass
Lead (Pb)	≤ 2 ppm	< 0.5 ppm	Pass
Arsenic (As)	≤ 1 ppm	< 0.2 ppm	Pass
Particle Size (pass 80 mesh)	> 95%	97.5%	Fine powder, good flowability. Some batches hit 99%
Appearance	White to off-white crystalline powder	White powder	No odor. Slight off-white is acceptable depending on supplier
Melting Point	112 – 116°C	114.2°C	Consistent with reference. Small shifts (±1°C) are fine
pH (1% solution in water)	4.0 – 6.0	5.1	Slightly acidic, skin-friendly range

9999(1)

Processing Technology

Product Benefits

01.

More stable than pure vitamin C

won't oxidize and turn yellow in the bottle.

02.

Brightens skin

inhibits tyrosinase, fades dark spots over time.

03.

Works as an antioxidant

once absorbed, skin enzymes convert it to active vitamin C.

04.

Stays active on shelf

long shelf life, no special packaging required.

Disodium EDTA certificates

Applications

Serums, ampoules, toners – Brightens skin, fades dark spots. Works at neutral pH, so no stinging.Moisturizers (creams, lotions, gels) – Adds antioxidant protection. Doesn't oxidize in the jar like pure vitamin C.Sunscreens – Boosts photoprotection. Helps vitamin C and E stay active longer under UV.Eye creams – Gentle enough for eye area. Helps with undereye darkness over time.Masks (sheet masks, wash-off masks) – Gives a short‑term brightening effect. Stable in wet formulas.

Other Customizable Products (OEM / ODM)

We deliver end-to-end ODM/OEM solutions for 3-O-Ethyl-L-ascorbic acid-based formulations, transforming your concepts into market-ready products.① Cooperation ModelsOEM: Reproduce your formula with strict confidentiality and consistencyODM: Full-service formulation, development, and manufacturing② Key ProcessAnalysis & Design: Customized solutions based on your needsPrototyping: Sample development with advanced hydrolysis controlProduction: Certified manufacturing with rigorous quality testing

Why Choose Our 3-O-Ethyl-L-ascorbic acid?

Over a Decade of Expertise: 15+ years in specialty ingredient manufacturingNatural Purity & Quality: Sourced from high-grade silicon precursorsTransparent & Traceable: Full documentation from raw material to final productAdvanced Technology: Proprietary stabilization methods for high bioavailabilityStable Supply Assurance: Robust supply chain and inventory managementLong-term Partnership: Committed to collaborative growth and customer success

FAQ

Q: Is this the same as regular vitamin C?

A: Not exactly. It's a modified version. They added an ethyl group to the 3rd carbon. That small change makes it way more stable and less irritating. Your skin has enzymes that slowly clip off that ethyl group and release real vitamin C. So it works, just more gently and with a longer shelf life.

Q: Does it oxidize and turn yellow like L-ascorbic acid?

A: No. That's the whole point. Pure vitamin C turns brown/yellow within weeks if you look at it wrong. Ethyl VC can sit in a formula for months without changing color. You don't need fancy opaque airless pumps or super low pH.

Q: How much should I put in my formula?

A:Most people use 0.5% to 2%. At 0.5% you get some brightening. At 2% you get real anti‑aging and dark spot fading. Some suppliers say up to 5% but that's overkill for most products.

Q:Can I use it with other actives like niacinamide, retinol, or AHAs?

A:Yes. It plays nice with almost everything. No weird incompatibilities. That's another advantage over pure vitamin C, which doesn't like niacinamide or copper peptides.

Q: Does it work as well as L-ascorbic acid?

A:Depends on how you measure. For pure antioxidant power in a test tube, L-ascorbic acid is stronger. But in a real bottle on a shelf, L-ascorbic acid degrades fast. Ethyl VC is more reliable. In skin, it works well – maybe a bit slower, but consistent.

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3-O-Ethyl-L-ascorbic Acid