All About Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (SAP)

What is Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate?

Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (SAP) is a fancy term for a stable, water-soluble version of vitamin C. This powerhouse is created by blending ascorbic acid with a phosphate and a salt. These compounds combine with enzymes in your skin to unleash pure ascorbic acid, the superhero of vitamin C.

Now, like its pure counterpart, SAP works wonders as an antioxidant for your skin. When used in higher amounts, like found in our 15% Vitamin C Superactive Serum, it can do some serious magic – from brightening a lackluster complexion to smoothing out wrinkles, firming up your skin, and tackling hyperpigmentation, discolorations, and dark spots.

An Abundance of Benefits: Texture, Radiance and Smoothness

In the realm of skincare, SAP usually hangs out in concentrations ranging from 0.2% to 3%, offering a sweet spot to boost your skin's defenses against the environment. But here's the cool part: a 5% concentration of SAP can match the wrinkle-smoothing and elasticity-boosting prowess of an equal amount of ascorbic acid, as per a nifty study focused on the skin around the eyes.

Combatting Hyperpigmentation and Discolorations

If discolorations are your nemesis, you should crank up the SAP concentration above 3%. Research suggests this is the sweet spot for addressing those pesky skin tone concerns.

Minimizing breakouts!

Oh, and here's a game-changer: SAP, in 1% and 5% concentrations, has been found to play nice with factors linked to breakouts. Yep, it's got a soothing effect, making it a potential sidekick to anti-acne products packing benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid.

Packaging Format Matters

Don't let its stability fool you, though. At the same time, SAP can brave both water- and oil-based formulas without breaking a sweat; packaging matters. Even though it's tough, constant exposure to light and air can still put a dent in its superhero abilities. This is why we package it in an opaque pump. So, stash it away wisely to keep it in tip-top shape!

Learn more about our forms of Vitamin C throughout 100% of our formulas: