[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":253},["ShallowReactive",2],{"ingredient-magnesium-ascorbyl-phosphate":3},{"id":4,"title":5,"body":6,"category":205,"commonProducts":206,"description":212,"extension":213,"icon":214,"inciName":5,"irritantReason":215,"isCommonIrritant":216,"keyFacts":217,"localNames":227,"meta":229,"navigation":230,"path":231,"relatedArticles":232,"seo":239,"severity":240,"slug":241,"stem":242,"subtitle":243,"symptoms":244,"synonyms":249,"__hash__":252},"ingredients/learn/ingredients/magnesium-ascorbyl-phosphate.md","Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate",{"type":7,"value":8,"toc":196},"minimark",[9,14,26,33,37,40,47,54,58,92,95,129,133,166,170],[10,11,13],"h2",{"id":12},"what-is-magnesium-ascorbyl-phosphate","What is Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate?",[15,16,17,21,22,25],"p",{},[18,19,20],"strong",{},"Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate"," (MAP) is a water-soluble vitamin C derivative in which ascorbic acid is bonded to a phosphate group with a magnesium counter-ion. Like its cousin sodium ascorbyl phosphate (SAP), MAP is ",[18,23,24],{},"stable at neutral pH"," and avoids the sting that pure L-ascorbic acid causes on sensitive skin. Once absorbed, enzymes in the skin convert MAP into active vitamin C.",[15,27,28,29,32],{},"MAP has one trait that distinguishes it from SAP: it's ",[18,30,31],{},"slightly more hydrating",". The magnesium ion gives it a softer, more humectant feel on the skin, which makes it a popular choice in K-beauty serums, sensitive-skin formulas, and products designed for dry climates.",[10,34,36],{"id":35},"why-is-map-so-well-tolerated","Why is MAP so well tolerated?",[15,38,39],{},"Because MAP works at near-neutral pH (around 6–7), it doesn't trigger the irritation that pure ascorbic acid causes. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review and European safety panels rate it safe at the cosmetic concentrations used (typically 1–10%). True allergic contact dermatitis is essentially unheard of.",[15,41,42,43,46],{},"The trade-off, like with SAP, is that MAP is ",[18,44,45],{},"less potent gram-for-gram than pure L-ascorbic acid",". The conversion to active vitamin C in the skin is partial, and the brightening effect is gentler and slower. For users with sensitive skin, dry skin, or rosacea — or anyone who has tried L-ascorbic acid and found it intolerable — this trade is well worth making.",[15,48,49,50,53],{},"MAP is particularly well-suited to ",[18,51,52],{},"dry winters"," because it doesn't have the dehydrating effect that high-percentage L-ascorbic acid serums sometimes have.",[10,55,57],{"id":56},"in-indian-products","In Indian products 🇮🇳",[15,59,60,61,64,65,68,69,72,73,76,77,80,81,84,85,68,88,91],{},"MAP is common in K-beauty essences and serums sold in India and in modern Indian sensitive-skin formulations. ",[18,62,63],{},"The Ordinary Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate 10%",", several ",[18,66,67],{},"Innisfree"," and ",[18,70,71],{},"The Face Shop"," brightening lines, ",[18,74,75],{},"Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop"," (a cult K-beauty product available in India), ",[18,78,79],{},"Plum's gentler vitamin C ranges",", ",[18,82,83],{},"Dr. Sheth's Gulab + Vitamin C",", and various ",[18,86,87],{},"Re'equil",[18,89,90],{},"Brinton"," sensitive-skin formulas all use MAP.",[15,93,94],{},"Indian-context use cases:",[96,97,98,105,111,117,123],"ul",{},[99,100,101,104],"li",{},[18,102,103],{},"Sensitive skin in dry north Indian winters"," — Delhi, Punjab, and Himalayan cities — where pure L-ascorbic acid serums become too irritating but tone correction is still wanted.",[99,106,107,110],{},[18,108,109],{},"Pigmentation in mature skin"," — older Indian users with thinner, drier skin who want vitamin C benefits without the sting.",[99,112,113,116],{},[18,114,115],{},"Pregnancy brightening"," — MAP is pregnancy-safe and a popular alternative to retinol for melasma and tone.",[99,118,119,122],{},[18,120,121],{},"Layering with humectants"," — MAP combines beautifully with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and panthenol in winter routines.",[99,124,125,128],{},[18,126,127],{},"Sensitive eye-area brightening"," — MAP-based eye creams give gentle vitamin C action without the eye-area sting of L-ascorbic acid.",[10,130,132],{"id":131},"how-to-use-map-well","How to use MAP well",[134,135,136,142,148,154,160],"ol",{},[99,137,138,141],{},[18,139,140],{},"Start with a 3% formula if available"," — MAP is gentle enough that you don't have to ramp up slowly, but a moderate concentration is a good baseline.",[99,143,144,147],{},[18,145,146],{},"Use morning or evening"," — MAP is stable enough that timing doesn't matter much, though morning is a good antioxidant pairing with sunscreen.",[99,149,150,153],{},[18,151,152],{},"Pair with humectants in dry climates"," — A MAP serum followed by a hyaluronic acid layer and a ceramide moisturizer is a winter-friendly stack.",[99,155,156,159],{},[18,157,158],{},"Choose MAP over L-ascorbic acid if you've reacted before"," — If pure vitamin C stings or peels your skin, MAP is the gentle alternative.",[99,161,162,165],{},[18,163,164],{},"Use consistently for 8–12 weeks"," — MAP is gentler and slower than L-ascorbic acid; results take consistent daily use.",[10,167,169],{"id":168},"safer-alternatives","Safer alternatives",[96,171,172,178,184,190],{},[99,173,174,177],{},[18,175,176],{},"For maximum potency",": L-ascorbic acid at 10–20% is stronger, if tolerated.",[99,179,180,183],{},[18,181,182],{},"For another gentle derivative",": Sodium ascorbyl phosphate (SAP) is similar to MAP and may be slightly better for acne-prone skin.",[99,185,186,189],{},[18,187,188],{},"For oil-soluble vitamin C",": Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate (THD ascorbate) is more stable and penetrates better but is more expensive.",[99,191,192,195],{},[18,193,194],{},"For non–vitamin C brightening",": Niacinamide, alpha arbutin, tranexamic acid, and azelaic acid are gentle alternatives.",{"title":197,"searchDepth":198,"depth":198,"links":199},"",2,[200,201,202,203,204],{"id":12,"depth":198,"text":13},{"id":35,"depth":198,"text":36},{"id":56,"depth":198,"text":57},{"id":131,"depth":198,"text":132},{"id":168,"depth":198,"text":169},"antioxidant",[207,208,209,210,211],"Brightening serum","Daily moisturizer","Eye cream","Toner","Sheet mask","A water-soluble, neutral-pH vitamin C derivative that brightens skin and is one of the gentlest forms of vitamin C available.","md","🍊",null,false,[218,221,224],{"label":219,"value":220},"Stable at neutral pH","Works at pH 7 — no acidic burn",{"label":222,"value":223},"Hydrating","Has a mild humectant effect, unlike pure ascorbic acid which can be drying",{"label":225,"value":226},"Common concentration","1–10% in serums; 3% is a typical sweet spot",[228],"मैग्नीशियम एस्कॉर्बिल फॉस्फेट",{},true,"/learn/ingredients/magnesium-ascorbyl-phosphate",[233,236],{"slug":234,"title":235},"/learn/reading-cosmetic-labels","How to Read Cosmetic Labels",{"slug":237,"title":238},"/learn/ingredients/vitamin-c","Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)",{"title":5,"description":212},"low","magnesium-ascorbyl-phosphate","learn/ingredients/magnesium-ascorbyl-phosphate","A gentle, stable vitamin C derivative perfect for sensitive skin and dry winters",[245,246,219,247,248],"No documented allergic reactions","No stinging at cosmetic concentrations","Safe for sensitive and reactive skin","Pregnancy-safe",[250,251],"MAP","Magnesium L-Ascorbyl-2-Phosphate","6ZZC4lENVYIwh3IssFQPc67UQw8QIyXoFA-FvCddEU0",1777530818019]