FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about the Naturally-Occurring Forms of Vitamin C
- What is L-Ascorbic Acid?
- What is Dehydroascorbic Acid (DHAA)?
- What is Oxidized Vitamin C?
- What are Vitamin C Transporters?
- Is Vitamin C Unstable?
- Why Have I Never Even Heard of DHAA???
Questions about Topical Vitamin C for Skin Care
- Why Do I Need To Use Topical Vitamin C?
- What Are Reactive Oxygen Species? What is an Anti-Oxidant?
- How is Vitamin C Related to Skin Collagen?
- Can Vitamin C Really "Minimize the Appearance of Fine Lines and Wrinkles?"
- What Does "Anti-Aging" Mean?
- Does Vitamin C protect the skin from Sun Exposure?
- Why are there such High Levels of DHAA in skin?
- What Makes DHAA Superior for Topical Use?
- What are Chemical Derivatives of Vitamin C?
- Can these derivatives be Utilized by the Skin?
- By Percent Concentration, how do derivatives compare to natural Vitamin C?
- What about other Skin Actives and Biologicals? Why don't you put them in your products?
Questions about Our Products
What is L-Ascorbic Acid?
Most people recognize the name "Ascorbic Acid (AA)" and consider it synonymous with "Vitamin C." Actually, AA is one of the
twonaturally-occurring forms of Vitamin C. L-Dehydroascorbic Acid is the other. The L- designation refers to the biologically
active stereoisomer of each of these compounds. Our products only contain the L- forms, and we frequently drop the L-
from the names for simplicity. See the Wikipedia Ascorbic acid page. |
![]() |
![]() |
What is Dehydroascorbic Acid?Dehydroascorbic Acid (DHAA) is the oxidized form of Vitamin C; it is one of the two naturally-occurring forms. The oxidation of Ascorbic Acid (AA) to DHAA explains the powerful anti-oxidant activity of AA. DHAA can be converted back into AA by the body, so Vitamin C is "recycled." Unfortunately though, the molecules themselves eventually break down, so the body requires a continuous supply of more Vitamin C. See the Wikipedia Dehydroascorbic acidpage. |
![]() |
What Are Reactive Oxygen Species? What is an Anti-Oxidant?Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) are chemically-reactive molecules containing oxygen. They are also called "free radicals." The basic things to know in regard to your skin is that these ROS are formed in the skin in many ways, including normal oxygen metabolism, immune-system function, and exposure to environmental oxidants and UV light; and that ROS can damage the lipids, proteins, and DNA in your skin. An anti-oxidant is a molecule that intercepts an ROS molecule before it can damage an important lipid, protein or DNA molecule in your skin. The most important anti-oxidant in the skin is Vitamin C, being 10 times more active than all other anti-oxidants in the skin combined. The Vitamin C in your skin can become very rapidly depleted by exposure to sunlight and other environmental factors. For more details, we recommend the Wikipedia Reactive oxygen species page. |
By Percent Concentration, how do derivatives compare to natural Vitamin C? |
|
![]() |
![]() |
It takes a lot more of the commonly used derivatives to equal the same molar concentration of natural Vitamin C. What Percent Concentration of each derivative is comparable to 10% Ascorbic Acid?
Why does it take so much more of a derivative to be equal to Ascorbic Acid? Imagine having a pound of golf balls and a pound of ping-pong balls. There are about 11 golf balls per pound, but there are many more ping-pong balls in a pound because each ball weighs less. Now, if you assume each ball is equal in value, is it better to have a pound of golf balls or a pound of ping-pong balls? |
In your body, each molecule is equal in value. For example, if one molecule of AA can neutralize one free radical, then one molecule of TETRA (if it is converted to AA) can also neutralize one free radical. But each molecule of TETRA is 6.4 times heavier than each molecule of AA. In order to make percent-by-weight solutions with equal numbers of molecules, you must add 6.4 times as much TETRA. So, if a product contains 7% TETRA, keep in mind that is about the same number of molecules as 1% AA! Here is a link to an excellent discussion named Molecular Weight and the Mole from Kimball's Biology Pages by Professor John W. Kimball. |
How Stable are your products?ReCverin C™ is probably the most stable liquid formulation of L-Ascorbic Acid in the world. Our room temperature storage studies (20 degrees C., 68 degrees F.) show neglible deterioration over a one year period, with no visual yellowing, and retention of more than 99% reducing activity. Accelerated studies (meaning storage at elevated temperatures) suggest the stability may be much longer. We feel that we are being very conservative when we say that you can easily expect ReCverin C™ to retain more than 95% of its stated activity for at least a year. ReCverin 50/50™ is formulated with Dehydroascorbic Acid (DHAA). This form of Vitamin C is far more difficult to stabilize, and this product has a more limited shelf-life. Our storage guidelines are posted on our ReCverin 50/50™ Product Detail page. The makers of ReCverin 50/50™ have chosen to tackle the problems of instability and high cost rather than avoid them, in order to bring you the remarkable benefit of DHAA. We believe our patented formula is the best Vitamin C product in the world. |