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Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate

What Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate is & what it does

A stable, water-soluble vitamin C salt that brightens, supports collagen, and may help calm blemish-prone skin. It is gentle and resists oxidation.

What is Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate and what does it do in sunscreen?

Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate is a stable, water-soluble form of vitamin C. In a sunscreen it works as an antioxidant: it helps brighten the look of skin, supports collagen, and may help calm blemish-prone skin. Unlike pure vitamin C, this salt resists oxidation, so it stays effective in the formula longer.

Is Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate the same as Vitamin C?

Essentially yes. Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate is a vitamin C derivative, a salt that the skin can convert toward active vitamin C. It is chosen over pure ascorbic acid because it is far more stable and gentler, while still giving antioxidant and brightening support.

Is Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate safe?

Yes. It is a well-tolerated vitamin C salt used at low levels in cosmetics and is considered gentle, even on reactive skin. It is not a strong acid like pure vitamin C, so it is less likely to sting or irritate. As with any new product, patch testing first is sensible if your skin is easily upset.

Does Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate clog pores?

Generally no. It is a water-soluble ingredient used in small amounts and is not considered comedogenic. Some people even find vitamin C salts useful for blemish-prone skin. If you are breaking out, the richer oils and emollients elsewhere in a formula are far more likely to be the cause.

What else is Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate called?

On an ingredient list it appears under its INCI name, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, sometimes abbreviated SAP. It is simply a stable, water-soluble form of vitamin C. You will usually find it listed in the water-based part of the formula rather than among the oils.

Sunscreens with Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate

We rate 312 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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