ERYTHORBIC ACID
Erythorbic acid is also known as isoascorbic acid, an organic substance related to ascorbic acid. The similar names explain the association, but they are not interchangeable ingredients: the L form is the ascorbic acid associated with vitamin C, whereas erythorbic acid is the D form.
ERYTHORBIC ACID: what it is
Erythorbic acid is also known as isoascorbic acid, an organic substance related to ascorbic acid. The similar names explain the association, but they are not interchangeable ingredients: the L form is the ascorbic acid associated with vitamin C, whereas erythorbic acid is the D form.
The INCI name does not point to an identifiable plant part; it denotes a defined substance that can be present in different kinds of formulations. For someone reading a label, the useful distinction is its close chemical relationship to ascorbic acid without assuming that a product delivers the same effects sought from vitamin C cosmetics.
ERYTHORBIC ACID: what it does in cosmetics
In cosmetics, erythorbic acid works as an antioxidant. In practical terms, that role concerns limiting oxygen-driven changes in oxidation-sensitive formula components and helping preserve product characteristics during use; it does not, by itself, mean that it acts as an antioxidant treatment for skin.
Its antioxidant use is also documented in food, where it is used to limit oxidation. That context helps explain a preservation role in a formulation, but it does not support transferring claims of brightening, wrinkle treatment, or benefits equivalent to products formulated with ascorbic acid to a cream containing erythorbic acid.
Products containing this ingredient
See which products include it and the name used in each composition.
