Using Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) (Ultra-Fine) in Lotion

You asked if Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) (Ultra-Fine) can be mixed directly into body lotion.

While Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) (Ultra-Fine) can be used in lotion formulations, it cannot be simply mixed directly into just any ready-made lotion. L-ascorbic acid is highly effective but also unstable, especially in water and at higher pH levels.

To successfully incorporate Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) (Ultra-Fine) into a lotion:

• It must be mixed in the final step of the formulation process.
• The temperature of the lotion base should be below 30°C during mixing.
• The final pH of the lotion must be acidic, ideally between 2.0-4.0 (note that for leave-on cosmetics, the FDA requires a pH of at least 3.5). Achieving and maintaining this low pH is crucial for the stability and effectiveness of L-ascorbic acid.
• Consider using stabilizers like Disodium EDTA in the formula to help protect the L-ascorbic acid from degradation caused by metal ions.
• Using antioxidants like Protec™ OX and UV protectors like Protec™ UV can also help maintain the quality of Vitamin C in the formula.

Simply adding the powder to a standard lotion will likely result in rapid oxidation, making the Vitamin C ineffective. It requires careful formulation to ensure stability and efficacy.