Vitamin C has long been heralded for a number of health benefits, most notably as an immune booster and perhaps a newer benefit as a topical skin care powerhouse. I took vitamin C for years in my teens and twenties without even knowing that there were a few different types of this important vitamin. Update: Part II Vitamin C Ester just posted!

I assume I took the most common version of the vitamin all those years (that’s how little I thought about it, I just always thought vitamin C was all the same). The most common and easiest to come by (as in, affordable) is the ascorbic acid or L-Ascorbic Acid.

I learned after reading a book by Dr. Perricone, a famous dermatologist, about the other more potent version of Vitamin C - Vitamin C ester. In his book, he really got into the benefits of ester over ascorbic, particularly when it comes to the skin health benefits. Not only when taken as an oral supplement, but also when it is applied to the skin topically in skin care preparations like serums, lotions and creams. Related: Nourish & Hydrate with Vitamin C Ester

L-Ascorbic Acid - Benefits and Drawbacks

Ascorbic acid Vitamin C is just fine for your every day supplementation, however there are some who experience gastrointestinal discomfort when taking this form of the vitamin. There are some buffered versions that help protect the lining of the stomach and offset the irritating effect it can tend to have. Related: How much vitamin C does the human body need?

This version of vitamin C is extremely cost effective. It is pretty inexpensive to manufacture this version of vitamin C. Some users are concerned that most of this type of vitamin C is made from GMO corn through a synthesis of the sugars contained in the corn. It’s probably more something a chemist would understand frankly, but what you need to know is what comes out the other end is a crucial vitamin to human health and wellness.

Liposomal vitamin C is supposed to be a superior way to take ascorbic acid. The thought is that since it is coated in a special fatty (Liposomal) layer, it is better able to make it through the digestive tract. If it can make it through digestion undamaged, then it is better able to actually absorb and be utilized by the body.

Vitamin C Ester

So, is vitamin C ester a superior form of this antioxidant? It probably depends on what you’re going to be using it for. Vitamin C ester is supposedly a better absorbed version of the vitamin, although it still may be beat in this arena by ascorbic acid encased in liposomes.

Vitamin C ester also is naturally less acidic than ascorbic acid, and therefore is less likely to cause stomach irritation. So it may be a good choice for those that have sensitive stomachs. Vitamin C ester is also more bio available. Some studies have shown that it is much more effectively utilized by the body for its antioxidants capabilities. Related: Vitamin C for Basal Cells?

Because the ester version is less acidic, it is preferred over ascorbic acid for its topical use on the skin. For sensitive skin, ester is likely the preferred choice.

Vitamin C Ester Topically

Turns out that what’s true for vitamin C ester in the body is also true for its usefulness outside the body. In other words, the higher absorption internally does indeed translate to higher absorption capability when applied topically to the skin as well. Vitamin C ester has shown in studies that it is indeed the superior version of vitamin C for maximum dermal penetration.

Since the ester version absorbs better, it can really go to work on those deeper layers of skin by acting as an antioxidant against environmental and sun damage, but also by helping to illuminate, brighten and even out the skin tone. It really is a great skin “luminizer” that helps to make the skin look glows and bright from several layers deep.

Stay tuned for Vitamin C Ester Part II where we talk more about the practical topical applications for this antioxidant!