Oe
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic AcidAntioxidant
Ether-linked vitamin C derivative. High stability; converts efficiently to ascorbic acid on the skin.
What it does
3-O-Ethyl ascorbic acid is one of the more recently popular vitamin C derivatives. It's water- and oil-soluble (unusual for the family), stable across a wide pH range, and converts efficiently to active ascorbic acid on the skin. Performs comparably to L-ascorbic acid at lower percentages with less formulation hassle. Common in newer K-beauty and mid-tier Western brightening serums.
The evidence, graded
strongVitamin C, vitamin E, and ferulic acid show synergistic photoprotection. The combination is more stable and doubles photoprotection compared to vitamin C alone.Lin 2005 · Journal of Investigative Dermatology ↗
strongVitamin C shows brightness and tone-evening improvements in 4-8 weeks. Collagen-mediated firmness benefits take 12+ weeks. Photoprotection benefits are immediate when paired with sunscreen.Humbert 2003 · Experimental Dermatology ↗
Graded per the methodology: strong · moderate · emerging · expert consensus. A weak source on a strong claim gets the weaker label.
Also known as
eac, ethyl ascorbic acid, vitamin c, ascorbic acid
Pairs worth knowing
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