Table of Contents
- What Is Ethyl Ascorbic Acid?
- 1. The Ordinary Ethylated Ascorbic Acid 15% Solution – Best Budget Friendly.
- 2. Face Theory Regena C20 Vitamin C Serum – Best With Amino Acids.
- 3. NIOD Ethylated L-Ascorbic Acid 30% Network – Best For Mature Skin.
- 4. Hylamide C25 Booster – Best Booster.
- 5. Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum – Best For Hyperpigmentation.
- 6. OleHenriksen Banana Bright™ Vitamin C Serum – Runner-Up – Best For Hyperpigmentation.
If you’ve hit this page, then you’re definitely among those who are cognizant of ethyl ascorbic acid. Congratulations on your exposure to a new vitamin C variant, which is known as the most potent and stable derivative of vitamin C.
L-ascorbic acid has maintained the reputation as the most potent vitamin C, with its skin brightening, collagen boosting and antioxidant benefits, not until Ethyl Ascorbic Acid (also known as 3-O-Ethyl-L-ascorbic Acid) came into the picture.
This vitamin C derivative has gotten the attention of skincare-lovers and dermatologists, as it possesses the same vitamin C attributes, but without its downsides. The breakdown? It’s potent and stable, it converts to 80% of L-ascorbic acid when it gets into the skin, it is soluble in water and in oil. With all these features, makes it very recommended to every skin type and to anyone who wants to enjoy vitamin C benefits but without the side effects and instability.
Without much ado, we’ll walk you through the best ethyl ascorbic acid serums, which have been independently handpicked by us after a careful and rigorous research, but before we pull the trigger, let’s bring to your awareness what ethyl ascorbic acid is.
What Is Ethyl Ascorbic Acid?
Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, also known as 3-O-Ethyl-L-ascorbic Acid, Is the most recent derivative of vitamin C, where L-ascorbic acid is combined with an Ethyl group molecule, bound to the third carbon position. This makes vitamin C gentle on the skin, very stable and soluble in both water and oil.
The attachment of the ethyl group with L-ascorbic acid makes it soluble in both oil and in water, and this makes it more stable to offer continuous vitamin C benefits. When ethyl ascorbic acid gets deep into the skin, the ethyl group molecule detaches from L-ascorbic acid, thereby allowing L-ascorbic acid offer it potentials to the skin from the deeper layer of the skin unlike L-ascorbic acid which doesn’t penetrate deep into the skin.
That said, below are the best ethyl ascorbic acid serums you should lay your hands on to enjoy vitamin C skin benefits to the fullest.
1. The Ordinary Ethylated Ascorbic Acid 15% Solution – Best Budget Friendly.
A direct acting vitamin C formula. Infused with 15% ethyl ascorbic acid in propanediol as a base, to promote skin brightening, collagen production and antioxidant benefits. This formula is the most budget-friendly ethyl ascorbic acid as with regards to The Ordinary’s reputable, quality and budget-friendly skincare products.
Pros
- Pocket-friendly.
- Non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores).
- Suitable for all skin types.
- Contains no toxic substances.
Cons
- Feels oily on the skin, but dries down to nothing after absorbed. This is due to propanediol, a solvent and humectant ingredient used to dissolve ethyl ascorbic acid. 2-3 drops is all you need for the whole face. A little goes a long way.
2. Face Theory Regena C20 Vitamin C Serum – Best With Amino Acids.
A vitamin C serum, yet from a reputable brand. Cocktails 20% ethyl ascorbic acid with amino acids making it a double-up, while vitamin C helps illuminate the skin, fight free radicals and induce collagen production, amino acids help promote hydration and strengthen skin barrier function. And oh, it also contains ferulic acid, a powerful antioxidant that helps stabilize active ingredients and prevents damages caused by free radicals. Read the full review here.
FaceTheory brand also has a 30% formula of ethyl ascorbic acid – Regena C30 Pro Vitamin C Serum.
Pros
- Budget Friendly.
- Contains 20% ethyl ascorbic acid.
- Non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores).
- Suitable for all skin types.
- Contains no skin irritant-ingredients.
Cons
- May feel greasy on the skin when applied, but definitely doesn’t leave a greasy feeling behind after absorption. This is due to the presence of propanediol which is normally used as a solvent to dissolve skincare ingredients and also hydrates the skin. 2-3 drops is all you need. A little goes a long way.
3. NIOD Ethylated L-Ascorbic Acid 30% Network – Best For Mature Skin.
From The Ordinary’s sister brand – NIOD.
This may be one of the most highly concentrated ethyl ascorbic acid vitamin C serums you may find on the shelves. A highly concentrated vitamin C serum, infused with a whooping 30% ethyl ascorbic acid in an antioxidant network of superoxide dismutase, selenium and zinc to support a strong fight. The high concentration of ethyl ascorbic acid makes this product recommended for matured-skin individuals who want to improve skin texture and illuminate complexion.
Pros
- Pocket-friendly for such high concentration.
- Contains a whooping 30% ethyl ascorbic acid.
- Formula pairs ethyl ascorbic acid in an antioxidant network.
- Non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores).
- Suitable for all skin types.
- Contains no skin toxic ingredients.
Cons
- May feel oily on the skin due to the presence of propanediol, but dries down to nothing after absorption. All you need to do is, give it a gentle massage till absorbed. 2-3 drops is all you need. A little goes a long way.
4. Hylamide C25 Booster – Best Booster.
From another of The Ordinary’s sister brands – Hylamide, which pairs ethyl ascorbic acid with resorcinol complex – which offers an evenly bright-looking skin tone while acting as a powerful antioxidant with an outstanding safety profile. The combination of these two skin brightening antioxidants (ethyl ascorbic acid and resorcinol) encourages an even, smooth and glowing skin appearance.
Pros
- Budget Friendly.
- Pairs ethyl ascorbic acid with resorcinol complex.
- Non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores).
- Suitable for all skin types.
- Doesn’t contain skin irritant-ingredients.
Cons
- May experience oily feeling while applying on the skin, this is due to the presence of propanediol, but definitely doesn’t leave a greasy residue behind. 2-3 drops is all you need for the whole face. A little goes a long way.
5. Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum – Best For Hyperpigmentation.
A powerful blend of 10% 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid (also known as ethyl ascorbic acid) with white shiitake mushroom to brighten the skin and target hyperpigmentation-affected areas.
Vitamin C does its usual skin brightening job, while white shiitake mushroom – which is a synthetic mushroom extract and a rich source of kojic acid, breaks down and corrects hyperpigmentation from the skin deeper layer. The combination of these two actives gives this product the upper-hand to not only minimize the looks of hyperpigmentation, but improve overall skin complexion and texture.
Pros
- Pairs 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid with white shiitake mushroom for a collaborative effort to diminish hyperpigmentation and brighten skin.
- Non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores).
- Suitable for all skin types.
- Contains no harmful chemicals.
Cons
- May not be suitable for everyone’s budget.
6. OleHenriksen Banana Bright™ Vitamin C Serum – Runner-Up – Best For Hyperpigmentation.
The list of the best ethyl ascorbic acid serums won’t be complete without the OleHenriksen Banana Bright Vitamin C Serum.
This potent vitamin C serum doesn’t only contain a 15% ethyl ascorbic acid, but also in combination with 5% PHAs – Polyhydroxy acids, which hydrate skin and boost skin cell regeneration, which helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and improve the appearance of hyperpigmentation. In combination with hyaluronic acid, (which hydrates skin), vitamin E (another powerful antioxidant) and banana powder-Inspired pigments (to illuminate and color correct), making a whole bottle of not only a skin brightener, but hyperpigmentation treatment.
Pros
- Pairs ethyl ascorbic acid, PHAs and banana powder-Inspired pigments for more efficacy.
- Infused with multi ingredients for collaborative effort.
- Non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores).
- Suitable for all skin types.
- Contains no harmful chemicals.
Cons
- May not be suitable for everyone’s budget.
UP NEXT: These Niacinamide Serums Are Our Best-Picks To Minimize Excess Oil Production, Improve Overall Skin Texture & Complexion.
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