SKINCARE
SYNTHETIC VS. NATURAL: VITAMINS IN SKINCARE
SYNTHETIC VS. NATURAL: VITAMIN C
When shopping for your last vitamin C serum, did you check the ingredients list? If you did, it is most probable that you came across ascorbic acid, L-ascorbic acid, or many other synthetically derived vitamin C options mentioned below. Did you ever wonder what is the difference between synthetic vs. natural vitamins in skincare?
So what is ascorbic acid, and why is it cited often as vitamin C?
Ascorbic acid or L-ascorbic acid is synthetic vitamin C manufactured in a lab. Other forms include calcium ascorbate, magnesium ascorbate, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, sodium ascorbate, and sodium ascorbyl phosphate.
They all appear in cosmetics and represent a synthetic form of vitamin C. The chemical structure of ascorbic acid is identical to natural vitamin C. There is one difference, naturally occurring vitamin C from fruits and vegetables is accompanied by other micronutrients and phytochemicals missing in the synthetic form. In contrast, synthetic ascorbic acid is frequently derived from d-sorbitol, often sourced from GMO corn.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?
The chief difference between synthetic and naturally occurring vitamins is in their composition. In the case of wholesome fruits added to skincare blends, the naturally occurring vitamins come with many accompanying phytochemicals, while synthetic ones are isolated.
Like the wholesome fruit, which delivers complex micronutrients to your body, raw blended fruits in skincare combine naturally occurring vitamins with phytochemicals and flavonoids that benefit your skin.
Some research also shows that naturally occurring vitamins might be more potent. Studies demonstrate that isolated ingredients may not be as effective when removed from their complex phytochemical composition.
The delicate synergy of phytochemicals in fruits and vegetables is responsible for the antioxidant properties of the plant. In the same matter, fruits and vegetables can support our health; raw, unrefined extracts can keep our skin’s healthy balance. The only problem with freshly blended fruits that target the delivery of complex vitamins and phytochemicals is their stability.
OUR SOLUTION: THE FRESH SERIES
In our Fresh Series, we presented a solution to this problem. We designed complex serums that address the delivery of phytochemicals, antioxidants, and broad-spectrum vitamins via wholesome freeze-dried fruits and vegetables and botanic extracts.
We add these essential wholesome blends to the final phase of our serums, which are always prepared fresh after order and thus delivered at their most potent.
The freeze-drying technique, which aims to deliver the highest possible vitamin C content of our exotic fruits selected for their phytochemical composition, contributes significantly to the effectiveness of our serums. This modern extraction technique preserves the highest possible concentration of the original phytochemical composition of the fruit.
Fast questions and answers
Is ascorbic acid synthetic?
Yes. It the INCI lists Ascorbic Acid, it refers to isolated vitamin C produced industrially (typically through fermentation and laboratory processing), not a whole natural fruit extract.
Does Phaedra Botanicals use ascorbic acid?
Is niacinamide synthetic?
Yes. Niacinamide used in skincare is an isolated vitamin B3 ingredient produced industrially through chemical or fermentation-based manufacturing.If an INCI lists "Niacinamide," it refers to a manufactured isolated compound, not a whole natural botanical source.
Does Phaedra Botanicals use synthetic niacinamide?
No. Phaedra Botanicals does not use synthetic Niacinamide. Instead, we utilize ingredients naturally rich in niacin, such as Arthrospira platensis, which is used in our Phaedrae Revitalizing Mask and Sapphö's Brightening Serum.