Cited skincare — every flag names its source, no upsell.
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 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 ↗
emergingVitamin 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 ↗

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

Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) · works together ↗Vitamin E (Tocopherol) · works together ↗Ferulic Acid · works together ↗Alpha Arbutin · works together ↗

Browse all 668 ingredients — grouped by what they do, each with whatever evidence we can cite.

This page is public so a shared ingredient card always has its sources behind it — and so you can check them without an account.
Want more like this?
Every evidence-based flag cites its source, Drop tells you when your routine is complete, and it helps you simplify — instead of selling you more. The app launches on iOS and Android in October 2026. Rate my routine works today at /rate — no sign-in.
See what Drop doesHow Drop works