Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate

Aminopropyl ascorbyl phosphate (AAP) is a derivative of vitamin C (ascorbic acid). It is one of the more recent derivatives, created to improve the stability and skin absorption properties of regular vitamin C (if you don't know anything about the use of vitamin C in skincare, then read here).

It belongs to the group of ascorbic acid phosphates – a phosphate group able to stabilize the molecule of ascorbic acid and protect it from rapid degradation, whilst still maintaining its solubility in water and all of its biological functions.

There is a lack of information about AAP in the scientific literature, with the only information coming directly from the manufacturer. They call the ingredient Vitagen and claim that it has all the properties of vitamin C (collagen boosting, antioxidant, and anti-pigment), but with better stability (it is still very acidic, with a pH between 1.7 and 3.7) and a superior ability to be absorbed into the skin.

We cannot be sure of the accuracy of these claims, however, since there are no independent studies made with AAP as of yet. For now, it is just one of the new and promising vitamin C derivatives.