Is Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) safe in cosmetics?
Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) has a safety rating of "EXCELLENT" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted.
Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)
Also known as: L-Ascorbate, Caswell No. 061B, EINECS 200-066-2, FEMA No. 2109, Hex-2-enonic acid gamma-lactone, L-threo- (+13 more)
INCI: ASCORBIC ACID
Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) (CAS 50-81-7) is a cosmetic antioxidant functioning as Antioxidant, skin brightening. EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: permitted. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database. Same-CAS public records also appear in industrial chemical safety and pharmaceutical data.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 50-81-7 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Function
Antioxidant, skin brightening
Safety Rating
EXCELLENT
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
No federal concentration limits. GRAS. CIR safe as used (2005 and 2022 reaffirmation). Clinical study: 20% applied daily showed improved color, elasticity, and lustre at 4-8 weeks.
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C).
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
GHS Hazard Classification
Globally Harmonized System classification per ECHA C&L inventory and ILO/WHO International Chemical Safety Cards.
Hazard Statements
No hazard classification according to GHS criteria
Routes of Exposure
The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation of its aerosol and by ingestion.
EPA ToxValDB — Toxicity Values
10 toxicity values from EPA ToxValDB (aggregated from CCTE, HPV, ToxRefDB, IRIS, and other regulatory dossiers).
| Endpoint | Value | Species | Route | Duration | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NOEL | =200 mg/kg-day | Rat | oral | short-term | ECOTOX |
| LC50 | =32 mg/L | Zebra Danio | inhalation | acute | EFSA |
| NOEL | =60 mg/kg-day | Rat | oral | short-term | ECOTOX |
| NOEL | =10 mg/kg-day | Rat | oral | short-term | ECOTOX |
| NOEL | =20 mM | Rat | environmental | acute | ECOTOX |
| NOEL | =100 mg/kg-day | Rat | oral | chronic | ECOTOX |
| LOEL | =100 mg/kg-day | Rat | oral | chronic | ECOTOX |
| LOEL | =100 mg/kg-day | Rat | oral | acute | ECOTOX |
| NOEL | =200 mg/kg-day | Mouse | oral | acute | ECOTOX |
| NOEL | =200 mg/kg-day | Rat | injection | short-term | ECOTOX |
Typical Use Concentrations
Reported concentration ranges per product category from SCCS/CIR/industry sources.
| Product Category | Typical Range | Max Reported | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serum | 5–20 | 30 | CIR/VCRP |
| Face Cream | 2–10 | 20 | CIR/VCRP |
Additional Ingredient Properties
6 property records from structured ingredient metadata.
antioxidant
{"cas_number": "50-81-7", "antioxidant_class": "vitamin", "chemical_subclass": "L-ascorbic acid", "molecular_weight_daltons": "176.12", "orac_value_umol_te_per_g": "2500", "dpph_radical_scavenging_ic50_ug_per_ml": "7.8", "abts_trolox_equivalent": "1.0", "singlet_oxygen_quenching": "high", "superoxide_dismutase_mimetic": "moderate", "hydroxyl_radical_scavenging": "high", "lipid_peroxidation_inhibit…
concentration
{"min_concentration_pct": "5.0", "max_concentration_pct": "15.0", "typical_concentration_pct": "10.0", "product_type": "Moisturizer", "function_at_concentration": "Antioxidant, brightening, collagen synthesis", "source": "Pinnell et al. Dermatol Surg 2001; CIR"}
hair_care
{"hair_function": "color-protection", "hair_type_suitability": "all", "curl_pattern_suitability": "all", "porosity_suitability": "all", "protein_sensitivity": "neutral", "moisture_protein_balance": "yes", "cg_method_approved": "not-a-silicone", "silicone_type": "not-a-sulfate", "sulfate_type": "no", "drying_alcohol": "no", "fatty_alcohol": "no", "heat_protectant": "yes", "color_safe": "neutral", "…
regulatory
{"eu_status": "allowed", "us_status": "allowed"}
solubility_hlb
{"water_soluble": "yes", "oil_soluble": "no", "soluble_in": "water, glycerin, propylene glycol", "insoluble_in": "oils, ethanol, silicones", "log_p": "-1.9", "melting_point_c": "190-192", "appearance": "white powder", "source": "DSM"}
synergy
{"inci_name_2": "Ethyl Ascorbic Acid", "synergy_type": "efficacy-boost", "synergy_description": "Pure vitamin C with stable derivative for extended activity", "combined_benefit": "Immediate + sustained vitamin C activity, enhanced stability, comprehensive benefits", "efficacy_multiplier": "2.2x", "mechanism_of_action": "Ascorbic acid provides immediate activity; ethyl ascorbic provides sustained s…
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Antioxidant
Biocide
Chelating agent
Deodorizer
Dye
Filler
Flavouring and nutrient
Fragrance
Pharmaceutical
Preservative
Regulatory List Membership (5)
EU Regulated in Personal Care
EU Restricted for Children (Cosmetics)
IFRA Fragrance Transparency List
EPA Safer Chemical Ingredients List (SCIL)
FDA Substances Added to Food (EAFUS)
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C).
Regulatory Flags
cir-safe-as-used-2005-2022
eu-unrestricted
us-gras
ph-3.5-critical
pro-oxidant-risk-metal-ions
oxidation-color-qc-marker
non-genotoxic
non-sensitizing
cosmos-approved
eu_children_restricted
epa_safer_alternative
ifra_fragrance
fda_food_additive
Known Synonyms
L-Ascorbate
Caswell No. 061B
EINECS 200-066-2
FEMA No. 2109
Hex-2-enonic acid gamma-lactone, L-threo-
NCI-C54808
L-threo-Hex-2-enonic acid, gamma-lactone
Acidum ascorbicum
UNII-PQ6CK8PD0R
(+)-Sodium L-ascorbate
(+)-ascorbate
(5R)-5-[(1S)-1,2-dihydroxyethyl]-3,4-dihydroxy-2,5-dihydrofuran-2-one
Adenex
Allercorb
Arco-cee
Ascor-B.I.D.
Ascorb
Ascorbicab
Chemical Function
Antioxidant
pH regulating agent
Fragrance
Deodorizer
Softener and conditioner
Regulatory Lists
pharmaceutical
active_ingredient; Europe; Pesticides
children; Europe; Personal care
children; Europe; Personal care - general moisturizing - hand/body lotion
Europe; Personal care
Europe; Personal care
Europe; Personal care
IFRA Transparency
food_additive; Substances Added to Food (formerly EAFUS) (2/2019)
SCIL (9/2019)
inert_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Europe; Pesticides
inert_ingredient; non_food_use; Pesticides
Europe; supplements
Europe; food_additive; supplements
inert_ingredient; non_food_use; Pesticides
Europe; supplements
Cross-Vertical Safety Context
Same-CAS public records found in pharmaceutical data.
SOURCE
ChEMBL / DrugCentral / FAERS
DB_PHARMA CAS match
Pharmaceutical Data
Same-CAS rows from the pharmaceutical spoke database.
Compound
ASCORBIC ACID
ChEMBL ID
CHEMBL196
Max Phase
4
Adverse Event Associations
7867
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) allowed in the EU?
Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) do in cosmetics?
Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) functions as: Antioxidant, skin brightening. It is classified as a Antioxidant in our database. CAS number: 50-81-7.
Is Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) used outside cosmetics?
Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) also appears in industrial chemical safety and pharmaceutical data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Compliance Tools
Check Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) compliance across multiple jurisdictions:
Ingredient Decoder
Paste a full ingredient list for instant analysis
82 Allergen Checker
Check for EU declarable fragrance allergens
Substance Compliance
Check compliance across multiple jurisdictions
MoS Calculator
Calculate Margin of Safety using SCCS methodology
Heavy Metal Limits
Compare limits across jurisdictions
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2-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Excellent
Similar safety
Softener and conditioner
3 O Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Excellent
Similar safety
Antioxidant; tyrosinase inhibitor; me...
Ergocalciferol
Moderate
Chemical family
Skin Conditioning
Estradiol
Poor
Chemical family
Skin Conditioning (estrogenic hormone)
Formaldehyde
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