How we scored it
C9H14O8 250 Da: ascorbyl (glucose-derived vitamin C) and glyceryl ether (glycerin, as in Ethylhexylglycerin) are both natural. 250 / 250 = 1.00.
What counts. ISO 16128-2 scores the atoms that remain in the final ingredient. Reagents, solvents, catalysts and protecting groups used during manufacture leave no mass behind and are not counted.
Where it comes from
Ascorbic acid (from glucose by fermentation and oxidation) is etherified at the 3-hydroxyl with glycidol or 3-chloro-1,2-propanediol, normally petrochemical. If the glyceryl unit came from glycerin-derived epichlorohydrin or glycerol carbonate, the value would rise to 1.0.
In plain English
A stabilised, water-soluble form of vitamin C used as an antioxidant and humectant in skincare. It is made by attaching a glycerol-type unit to ascorbic acid, which is itself made from glucose.
Structure
(2R)-2-[(1S)-1,2-dihydroxyethyl]-3-(2,3-dihydroxypropoxy)-4-hydroxy-2H-furan-5-one
References
- 1ISO 16128-1:2016 and ISO 16128-2:2017 — Guidelines on technical definitions and criteria for natural and organic cosmetic ingredients and products. ISO, Geneva.
- 23-Glyceryl Ascorbate. PubChem CID 67267795. National Center for Biotechnology Information. pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
- 33-GLYCERYL ASCORBATE. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
- 43-GLYCERYL ASCORBATE. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=3-GLYCERYL%20ASCORBATE