Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate

TL;DR. This ingredient is a water-soluble antioxidant and skin-conditioning active used in serums, creams, and lotions. It is included to support a more even-looking tone while offering better formula stability than more reactive acidic antioxidant formats.

What does Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate do in a cosmetic formula?

This ingredient is a water-soluble antioxidant and skin-conditioning active used in serums, creams, and lotions. It is included to support a more even-looking tone while offering better formula stability than more reactive acidic antioxidant formats.

Is Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate clean?

From a clean-beauty perspective, this ingredient is generally well tolerated and has few restricted-list concerns. It is usually gentler than low-pH antioxidant actives, though higher levels can still bother very reactive skin.

Is Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate sustainable?

This material is typically made through controlled chemical processing of a carbohydrate-derived antioxidant precursor with mineral and it inputs. It is water soluble, not expected to bioaccumulate, and has lower persistence concerns than silicone or fluorinated materials.

Is Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate COSMOS-approved?

It is permitted under COSMOS for natural and organic cosmetics when the raw material meets the standard’s sourcing and processing requirements. Its Green Chemistry fit is reasonable because it is water soluble, used at low levels, and can be made from renewable carbohydrate feedstocks, though the extra phosphorylation step makes it less simple than the parent antioxidant.

How does Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate work chemically?

The molecule is a stabilized mineral salt of a phosphorylated six-carbon antioxidant lactone, which improves water solubility and reduces rapid oxidation in finished formulas. Typical use is about 0.1 to 3% for antioxidant positioning and up to about 10% in tone-focused products, with best stability around mildly acidic to neutral pH, often near pH 6 to 7.5.

Last updated 2026-05-13