beauty
cleaning
food
industrial

Ascorbic acid

E300 · CAS 6730-29-6 · 40/100 · High conf.

Also registered as 25 other CAS numbers

53262-66-1 · 14536-17-5 · 30208-61-8 · 50976-75-5 · 56172-55-5 · 56533-05-2 · 57304-74-2 · 57606-40-3 · 88845-26-5 · 89924-69-6 · 129940-97-2 · 154170-90-8 · 259133-78-3 · 623158-95-2 · 882690-91-7 · 884381-69-5 · 885512-24-3 · 896436-13-8 · 1018124-03-2 · 1129294-89-8 · 1428525-25-0 · 1703051-92-6 · 2252244-20-3 · 50-81-7 · 62624-30-0

Concern score

40/100Moderate concern based on regulatory listings.

High confidence

Ascorbic acid in plain language

What it is: Also known as Vitamin c · L-Ascorbic acid · 2,3-DEHYDRO-L-THREO-HEXONO-1,4-LACTONE · 3-KETO-L-GULOFURANOLACTONE · Ascorbate · Ascorbic acid, l-
Show all 43 names
Ascorbicum acidum · L-ascorbate · (+)-Ascorbic acid · 3-Oxo-L-gulofuranolactone · Ascoltin · Ascor · Ascorbicap · Acide ascorbique · Allercorb · Antiscorbic vitamin · Ascorbajen · Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) · Ascorin · Ascorteal · Ascorvit · Cantaxin · Cebicure · Cegiolan · Ceglion · Cenetone · Cergona · Cetemican · Cevatine · Cevitamic acid · E-300 · Ins NO.300 · INS-300 · L(+)-Ascorbic acid · Redoxon · acido ascorbico · acidum ascoribicum · ascorbic acid - 1000 mg/vial · ascorbic acid adduct · ascorbic acid(cas no.50-81-7). · ascorbic acid. (no mfr cas# provided) · l-ascorbic acid (vitamin c) · Vitamin c (as ascorbic acid)
What it does: Used in cosmetics as an antioxidant, a skin-conditioning agent and a pH buffer.
Antioxidant
Skin conditioning
Buffering
Fragrance
Preservative
Chelating agent
Is it a concern?: Moderate concern: no hazard classifications on record. It is listed for cosmetic use in the EU.

As a food additive

E-number

E300

Used in food as

Antioxidant

EU safety status

EFSA re-evaluated E300 in 2015: no safety concern at authorised uses.

It never counts as an additive of concern in a product’s food rating.

EFSA Journal 2015;13(5):4087 — Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of ascorbic acid (E 300), sodium ascorbate (E 301) and calcium ascorbate (E 302) as food additives

Why it's flagged

EPA CPDat observed this chemical in 1245 composition records across product categories including Specialty occupational products, Laboratory supplies, Food and drug.

The score describes this ingredient's chemical identity — its hazard profile from published classifications and regulatory status — not the safety of any product it appears in.

Regulation

No restrictions found. Ascorbic acid appears in these published regulatory listings.

In marketed US drugs
Inactive ingredient in US drugs

Recorded in these product areas

Found in consumer products
Beauty
Cleaning
Pharma
Food
Industrial

USFDAinactive ingredient database25 entries — 8 administration routes
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: CAPSULE, DELAYED RELEASE; Maximum daily exposure: 12 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: CAPSULE, EXTENDED RELEASE; Maximum daily exposure: 17 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: CONCENTRATE; Potency: 6 mg/1mlSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: POWDER, FOR SOLUTION; Maximum daily exposure: 560 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: SOLUTION; Maximum daily exposure: 600 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: SUSPENSION; Maximum daily exposure: 520 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: SUSPENSION, EXTENDED RELEASE; Maximum daily exposure: 6 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: SYRUP; Maximum daily exposure: 200 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: TABLET; Maximum daily exposure: 80 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: TABLET, FILM COATED; Potency: 20 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: TABLET, ORALLY DISINTEGRATING; Potency: 2.35 mgSource →
- Route: RECTAL; Dosage form: SUPPOSITORY; Potency: 3 mgSource →
- Route: RESPIRATORY (INHALATION); Dosage form: AEROSOL, METERED; Potency: 0.1 %w/wSource →
- Route: RESPIRATORY (INHALATION); Dosage form: AEROSOL, SPRAY; Potency: 0.11 %w/wSource →
- Route: RESPIRATORY (INHALATION); Dosage form: SOLUTION; Potency: 0.04 %w/wSource →
- Route: TOPICAL; Dosage form: GEL; Maximum daily exposure: 7 mgSource →
- Route: TOPICAL; Dosage form: SOLUTION; Potency: 0.04 %w/wSource →
- Route: INTRAVENOUS; Dosage form: INJECTION, POWDER, LYOPHILIZED, FOR SOLUTION; Maximum daily exposure: 1440 mgSource →
- Route: INTRAVENOUS; Dosage form: INJECTION, POWDER, FOR SOLUTION; Potency: 2 mgSource →
- Route: INTRAVENOUS; Dosage form: INJECTION; Maximum daily exposure: 1440 mgSource →
- Route: INTRAMUSCULAR; Dosage form: INJECTION; Maximum daily exposure: 192 mgSource →
- Route: INTRACAVITARY; Dosage form: INJECTION; Potency: 5 mgSource →
- Route: INFILTRATION; Dosage form: INJECTION, SOLUTION; Potency: 0.2 %w/vSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: CAPSULE; Potency: 7 mgSource →
- Route: INTRAVENOUS; Dosage form: INJECTION, SOLUTION; Maximum daily exposure: 4 mgSource →
EUEFSAEFSA opinion5 entries
- Opinion of the Scientific Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies on a request from the Commission related to the Tolerable Upper Intake Level of Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic acid, its calcium, potassium and sodium salts and L-ascorbyl-6-palmitate) (EFSA NDA)Source →
- Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of ascorbic acid (E 300), sodium ascorbate (E 301) and calcium ascorbate (E 302) as food additives (EFSA ANS)Source →
- Scientific Opinion on the safety and efficacy of vitamin C (ascorbic acid and sodium calcium ascorbyl phosphate) as a feed additive for all animal species based on a dossier submitted by VITAC EEIG (EFSA FEEDAP)Source →
- Scientific Opinion on Dietary Reference Values for vitamin C (EFSA NDA)Source →
- Scientific Opinion on the safety and efficacy of vitamin C (ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbate, calcium ascorbate, ascorbyl palmitate, sodium calcium ascorbyl phosphate and sodium ascorbyl phosphate) as a feed additive for all animal species based on a dossier submitted by DSM Nutritional Products Ltd (EFSA FEEDAP)Source →
EUCosIngActiveListed in CosIng inventory for cosmetic use.
- Listed in CosIng inventory for cosmetic use.Source →
EUEFSAConclusion on Pesticides Peer ReviewConclusion on the peer review of the pesticide risk assessment of the active substance L-ascorbic acid (EFSA)
- Conclusion on the peer review of the pesticide risk assessment of the active substance L-ascorbic acid (EFSA)Source →
GLOBALJECFAEvaluatedJECFA evaluation record.
- JECFA evaluation record.Source →
GLOBALJECFANOT SPECIFIEDJECFA evaluation lists ADI NOT SPECIFIED. Functional class: antioxidant.
- JECFA evaluation lists ADI NOT SPECIFIED. Functional class: antioxidant.Source →
USEPAcommercial use observedEPA CPDat observed this chemical in 1245 composition records across product categories including Specialty occupational products, Laboratory supplies, Food and drug. EPA CPDat classifies this chemical for functional uses including Antioxidant, pH regulating agent, Fragrance.
- EPA CPDat observed this chemical in 1245 composition records across product categories including Specialty occupational products, Laboratory supplies, Food and drug. EPA CPDat classifies this chemical for functional uses including Antioxidant, pH regulating agent, Fragrance.Source →
USFDAmarketed drug occurrenceFDA NDC lists this ingredient in 198 active drug products and 217 total products.
- FDA NDC lists this ingredient in 198 active drug products and 217 total products.Source →
USFDAlisted in openFDA substanceopenFDA substance registry classifies this ingredient as chemical.
- openFDA substance registry classifies this ingredient as chemical.Source →

Expert safety opinions

Independent scientific assessments cited by the records we hold, with the year and link where the record gives one.

SCCS
EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety
No SCCS opinion on file.
CIR
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (US expert panel)
No CIR safety assessment on file.
EFSA
European Food Safety Authority
- Opinion of the Scientific Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies on a request from the Commission related to the Tolerable Upper Intake Level of Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic acid, its calcium, potassium and sodium salts and L-ascorbyl-6-palmitate) (EFSA NDA)
  2004 · EU EFSA listing · Read the source →
- Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of ascorbic acid (E 300), sodium ascorbate (E 301) and calcium ascorbate (E 302) as food additives (EFSA ANS)
  2015 · EU EFSA listing · Read the source →
- Scientific Opinion on the safety and efficacy of vitamin C (ascorbic acid and sodium calcium ascorbyl phosphate) as a feed additive for all animal species based on a dossier submitted by VITAC EEIG (EFSA FEEDAP)
  2013 · EU EFSA listing · Read the source →
- Conclusion on the peer review of the pesticide risk assessment of the active substance L-ascorbic acid (EFSA)
  2013 · EU EFSA listing · Read the source →
- Scientific Opinion on Dietary Reference Values for vitamin C (EFSA NDA)
  2013 · EU EFSA listing · Read the source →
- Scientific Opinion on the safety and efficacy of vitamin C (ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbate, calcium ascorbate, ascorbyl palmitate, sodium calcium ascorbyl phosphate and sodium ascorbyl phosphate) as a feed additive for all animal species based on a dossier submitted by DSM Nutritional Products Ltd (EFSA FEEDAP)
  2013 · EU EFSA listing · Read the source →
JECFA
Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives
- JECFA evaluation record.
  Year not recorded · GLOBAL JECFA listing · Read the source →
- JECFA evaluation lists ADI NOT SPECIFIED. Functional class: antioxidant.
  Year not recorded · GLOBAL JECFA listing · Read the source →

Evidence & sources

No graded research studies for Ascorbic acid yet. This record is compiled from the published data sources below — registries and regulatory listings, not study findings.

10 data sources

Where this comes from

CosIng
regulatory · updated 2026-09-23
Open →
EFSA OpenFoodTox
regulatory · updated 2026-10-04
Open →
EPA Chemical and Products Database
exposure · updated october 1, 2013
Open →
EPA DSSTox Identifiers
chemistry · updated 2025-12-29
Open →
FDA Inactive Ingredient Database
regulatory · updated 2026-01-09
Open →
FDA National Drug Code Directory
regulatory · updated 2029-06-13
Open →
FDA GSRS UNII
registry · updated 2026-02-26
Open →
WHO JECFA Database
regulatory · updated 2026-10-04
Open →
openFDA Substance
registry · updated 2026-05-24
Open →
PubChem Live Enrichment
chemistry · updated 2026-05-17
Open →

Reference links (4)

Openfda substance

accessdata.fda.gov

Read →

Openfda substance

drugoffice.gov.hk

Read →

Openfda substance

codexalimentarius.net

Read →

Openfda substance

apps.who.int

Read →

Suitability

Context-specific fit derived from published classifications and the current ingredient evidence profile.

Food use

Food-use source coverage is present in the current record.

Good fit

The ingredient appears in food-oriented source coverage or allowed-use references, which makes food use easier to support than a context with no domain signal at all.

Fragrance avoidance

Not a strong fit for fragrance avoidance because it carries Fragrance.

Avoid

The ingredient itself is a fragrance-linked signal, so it is better treated as an avoid case when fragrance exposure is the main concern.

Where it has been recorded

How often EPA CPDat has listed Ascorbic acid in a product composition. These are source records, not Greenveil catalog products.

Source records

1,245

Named organisations

Specialty occupational productsLaboratory suppliesFood and drugIndustrial productsBatteriesRaw materials

Typical roles

AntioxidantSkin conditioningBufferingFragrancePreservativeChelating agent

See products using Ascorbic acid →

Catalog

Found in these products

Their ingredient lists include Ascorbic acid; each product's own rating depends on its whole formula, so it is shown on the product page, not here.

See all 1000+ →Find products without it →

Co-occurrence

Often appears with

Ingredients that frequently appear alongside Ascorbic acid in the catalog.