Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, L-ascorbic acid, ascorbyl glucosamine, and ascorbic acid are various forms of vitamin C considered stable and effective antioxidants for skin. Vitamin C as ascorbyl form has been proven to inhibit melanin production, resulting in a brighter and lighter skin.

There is an increasing awareness that vitamin C has a wide variety of role in human health. New therapeutic uses are being investigated daily, among recent discoveries is that Vitamin C can play important role in the health and beauty of your skin. Vitamin C as ascorbyl form has been tested extensively and reported in journal of American Academy of Dermatology to inhibit the production of the melanin, when Vitamin C inhibit the production of the melanin, a lighter and brighter skin will reveal in just few weeks.

Magnesium-L -ascorbyl-2-phosphate (MAP) is a stable derivative of ascorbic acid. When used as a 10% cream, MAP was shown to suppress melanin formation. A significant lightening effect was seen clinically in 19 of 34 patients with melasma and solar lentigines.

Furthermore, MAP has been shown to have a protective effect against skin damage induced by UV-B irradiation. The latter protective effect is theorized to be due to the conversion of MAP to ascorbic acid. In a Japanese study of 110 patients, a 25% decrease in hyperpigmentation was noted after 6 months of using a 3% MAP skin-lightening moisturizer.