Supplement analysis backed by scientific evidence · PT

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Limited evidenceLongevity & antioxidants

Ascorbyl Palmitate

A fat-soluble ester of vitamin C used mainly as a food and cosmetic antioxidant. There are no human trials showing it works better than ordinary vitamin C when swallowed.

Evidence last reviewed: August 2026

What the science says

  • Better vitamin C delivery Limited evidence

    The marketing claim is that the fatty acid tail improves membrane penetration and duration of action. Human evidence is absent: published work is formulation science on nanosuspensions and delivery systems, and ascorbyl palmitate is largely hydrolysed to ascorbic acid and palmitic acid in the gut, so oral use is effectively plain vitamin C.

  • Antioxidant and skin use Limited evidence

    Reviews of lipophilic antioxidants describe ascorbyl palmitate as an effective stabilizer of oils and formulations, and skin-delivery studies focus on getting enough of it into the skin. No randomized clinical trial supports oral ascorbyl palmitate for skin or antioxidant outcomes.

Dosage & safety

Studied doseNo studied oral dose. Products typically supply 250–1,000 mg/day; there is no reason to expect more benefit than the equivalent amount of ascorbic acid. Topical serums typically use 0.5–3%.
SafetyConsidered safe as a food additive and generally well tolerated. High oral vitamin C intakes cause diarrhoea and raise oxalate excretion, which matters for people prone to kidney stones. Ascorbyl palmitate can be irritating on skin at higher concentrations and oxidizes readily.

Scientific references

Where to buy

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