Ingredient glossary
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
On your shelf ✓What Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate does for your skin, who it suits, and what to watch for.
INCI: Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate · Also: SAP, Sodium L-Ascorbyl-2-Phosphate, APS
In short: Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate delivers brightening and antioxidant, suits most skin types, and the evidence behind it is strong. One thing to know: needs the right pH to work.
- What it does
- Brightening, antioxidant
- Best for
- Combination, Oily, Sensitive skin
- Watch out
- Needs the right pH to work
- Evidence
- Strong
The molecule
The Glow take
One of the ingredients I trust most.
When your goal is calming breakouts and congestion, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate delivers, and the research properly backs it up. It only performs at the right pH, so it is worth buying from brands that get the formulation details right.
— Maya
What it does
- brightening
- antioxidant
- anti acne
strong evidenceMultiple randomized and open label trials at one to five percent show reduced inflammatory acne and some pigment improvement with good tolerability.
On a label: usually effective at 1-5%.
Who it's for, and who should skip it
Tends to suit
- oily
- acne prone
- combo
- pigmentation
- sensitive
Approach with care
No specific group flagged to avoid it.
- Clogs poresLow
- Irritation riskLow
- pH-dependentIts effect depends on the product's pH
How it fits each skin type
- DryNeutral
- CombinationSuits
- OilySuits
- SensitiveSuits
Often chosen for acne prone, pigmentation.
Where it fits in your routine
Plays well with
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, answered
Is Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate safe during pregnancy?
Yes. Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate is considered safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. As with anything, if you are unsure it is worth a quick word with your doctor or midwife.
Who should avoid Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate?
No specific group is flagged to avoid Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate. It is well tolerated by most skin. Still, introduce anything new one product at a time.
What concentration of Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate actually works?
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate tends to do its job in the 1 to 5% range. Much lower and it is likely underdosed.
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