Sodium ascorbyl phosphate (SAP)

What Is Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate?

Simply put, it’s a form of vitamin C, technically a salt, explains Carqueville. It’s notably less potent than the more commonly used form, l-ascorbic acid. “I think of l-ascorbic acid as the equivalent of lifting a ten pound weight, and sodium ascorbyl phosphate as a five pound weight,” says Gohara. “It’s lighter and less intense, though still beneficial.” L-ascorbic acid is the bioactive form of the vitamin, a fancy of way saying it’s the form that your skin can actually use. Sodium ascorbyl phosphate ultimately converts into ascorbic acid once it’s in the skin; this conversion process is what makes it less active and, yes, also less effective.

Still, this is also also why it’s much less likely to cause irritation, Gohara explains.

The other major benefit? Most forms of vitamin C, l-ascorbic acid in particular, are notorious for being highly unstable, and easily degraded when exposed to light or oxygen. (This is why you’ll often hear that it’s best to look for vitamin C products housed in dark, opaque bottles.) Not the case here: “Sodium ascorbyl phosphate is considered to be one of the more stable forms of the vitamin and is light-, oxygen-, and water-stable,” says Carqueville. And that makes it not only easier to incorporate into different product formulations, but also means you don’t have to worry about it losing its potency.2

Benefits of Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate for Skin

At its core, any type of vitamin C is a top-notch antioxidant, although it delivers other types of benefits as well.

Fights free radicals: To that antioxidant point, “it works to combat the effects of UV damage by scavenging the free radicals that cause DNA changes and lead to signs of photoaging,” says Farber. (As a quick reminder, exposure to sun and pollution creates free radicals in the skin, which ultimately can cause things such as spots, wrinkles, and sagging—vitamin C combats this.1)

Boosts collagen production: Along with those antioxidant properties, sodium ascorbyl phosphate is an ideal anti-aging ingredient, as with other vitamin C formulations, it has the ability to stimulate the production of collagen, the protein responsible for strong, youthful skin.3 (Interestingly enough, ingesting vitamin C can have the same effect.)

Evens out skin tone: Sodium ascorbyl phosphate is a great ingredient for those looking to combat hyperpigmentation or dark spots, says Carqueville. By inhibiting tyrosinase, the enzyme needed to produce melanin (pigment), it can help both fade existing and ward off future discoloration.4

Has anti-acne benefits: According to a 2011 study sodium ascorbyl phosphate may have an antibacterial effect, and it has been proven to be an effective acne treatment.5 Coupled with the fact that it’s less irritating than other forms of the vitamin, it’s a good pick for those prone to breakouts.   pakistan cosmetis  03154497759    /   03074568939