Ascorbyl glucoside is a natural active substance containing Vitamin C structure, but it is stable. Ascorbyl glucoside can effectively inhibit formation of melanin, dilute the skin color, reduce age spots and freckles pigmentation.
Ascorbic Acid 2-Glucoside(AA-2G) was originally developed as a quasi-drug cosmetic product in Japan to lighten the overall tone of the skin and reduce the pigmentation in age spots and freckles. Further research has shown other dramatic benefits and today AA-2G is used all over the world-not only for whitening but also for brightening dull looking skin, reversing the effects of aging, and in sunscreen products for protection.
2-O-alpha-D-Glucopyranosyl-L-ascorbic acid reduce the free radicals that result from UV irradiation of the skin, and significantly reduce cell damage and photo-aging. It also promotes collagen synthesis. It can function as an antioxidant.
According to the manufacturer, ascorbyl glucoside functions as a time-release version of vitamin C (ascorbic acid), and therefore is more stable than traditional ascorbic acid. It is considered to have skin-lightening and anti-hyperpigmentation properties, thanks to an ability to suppress melanin production. Its skinbrightening capacities are attributed to an apparent ability to reduce pre-existing melanin levels (as in the case of freckles or age spots). Ascorbyl glucoside could also help promote collagen synthesis and help reduce skin inflammation. It is found in antiaging, anti-wrinkle, and sun care products.
ChEBI: L-Ascorbic acid-2-glucoside is a glycoside.
Ascorbyl glucoside (AG) is a whitening agent widely used in cosmetic formulations. Studies have shown that AG has a depigmenting effect on UVB pigmentation as a tyrosinase inhibitor or after being converted into free ascorbic acid by intrinsic epidermal glucosidase[1]. It has the following benefits for the skin:
(1) Whitening effect: brightens skin tone, lightens pigmentation and improves solar vitiligo.
(2) Antioxidant effect: neutralizes free radicals and prevents skin damage.
(3) High safety and low irritation: According to the review results of the Cosmetic Ingredient Safety Expert Group, ascorbyl glucoside and its sodium salt are safe in cosmetics[2].
(4) Slows down aging
Ascorbyl glucoside is a stable form of vitamin C combined with glucose. When properly formulated and absorbed into skin, it breaks down to ascorbic acid (pure vitamin C).2-O-a-D-Glucopyranosyl-L-ascorbic Acid is a useful cosmetic gel and skin cleanser. Once absorbed, its breakdown to vitamin C is gradual, creating what’s known as a reservoir effect within skin. This leads to longer-lasting benefits.
2-O-a-D-glucopyranosyl-L-ascorbic acid or ascorbyl glucoside functions as a skin whitener and radical scavenger in cosmetics. It is responsible for the bleaching action of bleaching cosmetics. This compound is activated in a manner identical to that of vitamin C. The enzyme present in the epidermal basal membrane, ascorbyl phosphatase, slowly converts 2-O-a-D-glucopyranosyl-L-ascorbic acid into vitamin C, thereby maintaining a high vitamin C level in skin throughout the day.
While pure vitamin C can sting and cause mild irritation, there aren't any side effects we know of with ascorbyl glucoside, says Nussbaum. Still, it is an active ingredient for sure, so you can always test out a small amount elsewhere on your skin to make sure you can tolerate it.
A method for producing ascorbyl glucoside, characterized in that it comprises the following steps:
Step 1: the ascorbyl glucoside reaction solution is separated by nanofiltration to remove the residual VC in the reaction solution to obtain a nanofiltration concentrate;
Step 2: the nanofiltration concentrate is separated by a continuous fluid separation device to remove glucose from the VC glucoside reaction solution;
Step 3: the VC glucoside solution from the continuous fluid separation device is first adjusted by a cation resin to adjust the pH, and then concentrated by a nanofiltration membrane to remove inorganic salts in the reaction solution to obtain the VC glucoside concentrate;
Step 4: The VC glucoside concentrate is concentrated by distillation under reduced pressure to further increase the concentration of VC glucoside, and then crystallized to obtain VC glucoside.
[1] MARIKO TAKADA. Treatment with Ascorbyl Glucoside-Arginine Complex Ameliorates Solar Lentigos.[J]. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2024, 25 24. DOI:10.3390/ijms252413453.
[2] WILBUR JOHNSON. Safety Assessment of Ascorbyl Glucoside and Sodium Ascorbyl Glucoside as Used in Cosmetics.[J]. International Journal of Toxicology, 2025: 5S-16S. DOI:10.1177/10915818241297075.
