Cosmetics · Quasi-drug actives
Ascorbyl Glucoside
アスコルビルグルコシド (Asukorubiru gurukoshido)
Also known as: Vitamin C Glucoside, AA-2G
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| Category | Cosmetics |
|---|---|
| INCI name | Ascorbyl Glucoside↗ |
| Japanese labeling name | アスコルビルグルコシド |
| Common Japanese notations | アスコルビルグルコシド, ビタミンC2-グルコシド |
| CAS number | 129499-78-1↗ |
| Origin | Synthetic (vitamin C glucoside) |
| Typical functions | Quasi-drug whitening active, Antioxidant, Skin conditioning |
| Regulatory status in Japan | Approved as a quasi-drug (医薬部外品) whitening active by 厚生労働省 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) within defined concentration ranges. |
Ascorbyl glucoside is one of the most widely used stable vitamin C derivatives in Japanese cosmetics. The compound conjugates ascorbic acid with glucose, dramatically improving stability over free vitamin C while still permitting in vivo conversion back to ascorbic acid.
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Browse Japanese OEM manufacturers that build products in this category. Filter by small lot, certifications, prefecture.
Classification
Tags below link to other ingredients sharing the same attribute, so you can pivot from one ingredient to its peers.
Product applications
Regulatory tags
Origin
Common OEM product categories
Finished-product categories where Japanese OEM manufacturers commonly formulate with this ingredient.
- Medicated whitening serums (薬用美白美容液)
- Brightening lotions and toners
- Anti-aging skincare
Ingredient profile
Ascorbyl glucoside (also called L-ascorbic acid 2-glucoside or AA-2G) is the alpha-glucoside of L-ascorbic acid. The glycosylation protects the labile ascorbate from oxidation; in vivo enzymatic cleavage releases ascorbic acid.
OEM applications
In Japanese cosmetics, ascorbyl glucoside appears in medicated whitening serums, lotions, and brightening-positioned formulations across many brand portfolios.
Regulatory classification in Japan
Approved as a quasi-drug whitening active by 厚生労働省 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) within defined concentration ranges.
Regulatory classification in other markets
| EU | Listed in CosIng. Permitted for cosmetic use. |
|---|---|
| USA | INCI recognized. |
| China | Permitted per IECIC listings. |
| Korea | Permitted under KFDA / MFDS. |
Market reference formulations
Example finished products will be added after each product's current full ingredient list has been verified.
All brand names and product names referenced anywhere on this site are the property of their respective owners. Example entries are provided for informational purposes only and do not imply endorsement.
Typical OEM use levels
Formulation ranges per finished-product application. Verify against the cited source before production.
| Application | Typical range | Regulatory limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quasi-drug whitening serum / lotion (Japan) | 2% | 2% per 厚生労働省 quasi-drug active notification | 厚生労働省 医薬部外品有効成分通知 |
Stability & compatibility
- pH range
- pH 5.0–7.0
- Temperature
- More heat-stable than L-ascorbic acid; cool-process is still preferred for color retention
- Incompatibilities
- Strong oxidizers
- High concentrations of metal ions without chelation
Glycoside form releases L-ascorbic acid via skin glucosidases. Stable in finished product when packaged opaque and chelated.
Storage requirements
How the receiving OEM facility needs to handle inbound raw material.
- Temperature
- ≤25°C; refrigeration extends shelf life
- Conditions
- Dry, sealed, opaque packaging (color-shift in light)
- Shelf life
- 24 months sealed
Hayashibara / supplier SDS
Supply concentration
Where this ingredient comes from — useful for single-source-risk planning.
- Primary regions
- Hayashibara (Okayama) is the founding manufacturer; widely supplied by Chinese and Korean chemical houses
- Import dependence
- Domestic supply available via Hayashibara; price-driven imports also significant
Certifications commonly available
Certification schemes commonly obtainable for this raw material. Always confirm the specific supplier's current certificate before contracting.
| Scheme | Availability | |
|---|---|---|
| GMP (cosmetic / quasi-drug) | Standard | |
| Halal | On-request | |
| Kosher | On-request | |
| Vegan | Common | |
| COSMOS | Rare |
Alternative ingredients
Related ingredients commonly evaluated as substitutes.
Quick answers
- What is Ascorbyl Glucoside?
- Ascorbyl glucoside is one of the most widely used stable vitamin C derivatives in Japanese cosmetics. The compound conjugates ascorbic acid with glucose, dramatically improving stability over free vitamin C while still permitting in vivo conversion back to ascorbic acid.
- What is the regulatory status of Ascorbyl Glucoside in Japan?
- Approved as a quasi-drug (医薬部外品) whitening active by 厚生労働省 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) within defined concentration ranges.
- What products typically use Ascorbyl Glucoside?
- Medicated whitening serums (薬用美白美容液) / Brightening lotions and toners / Anti-aging skincare
- Where does Ascorbyl Glucoside come from?
- Synthetic (vitamin C glucoside)
- What is the INCI / JSCI labeling name for Ascorbyl Glucoside?
- INCI: Ascorbyl Glucoside / JSCI: アスコルビルグルコシド
Explore related ingredients
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Other ingredients commonly used in the same finished-product families.
Sharing similar functions
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From the same origin
Other ingredients that share an origin classification.
Regulatory guidance
Take the next step
FAQ for OEM buyers
Q. How does ascorbyl glucoside differ from L-ascorbic acid for OEM use?
Ascorbyl glucoside is a glycoside-stabilized vitamin C derivative that resists oxidation better than L-ascorbic acid and is converted to vitamin C by skin enzymes. It is therefore preferred where pH-stable, long-shelf-life formulations are required.
Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26
- Industry knowledge — vitamin C derivative comparison
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
Q. Is ascorbyl glucoside approved as a quasi-drug active in Japan?
Yes — ascorbyl glucoside is on the 厚生労働省 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) quasi-drug whitening active list; finished products with whitening claims must be filed as quasi-drugs.
Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26
- 厚生労働省 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) — quasi-drug whitening actives (ascorbyl glucoside)
Q. What is the typical use level and pH range?
Quasi-drug whitening formulations typically use ascorbyl glucoside at around 2%; it is most stable at pH 6–7, broader than free ascorbic acid (which requires pH <3.5).
Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26
- Industry knowledge — ascorbyl glucoside formulation practice
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
Q. Are there any China NMPA / regional registration notes?
Ascorbyl glucoside is on China's IECIC inventory and is widely used in NMPA-registered cosmetics. Confirm the supplier's spec aligns with the IECIC listing for smooth China import filings.
Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26
- China NMPA — IECIC (Inventory of Existing Cosmetic Ingredients in China)
Use cases
Medicated whitening lotion / serum
- Positioning
- Mainstream Japanese medicated whitening line
- Typical usage level
- ~2% (Japan quasi-drug)
- Formulation notes
- Stable water-phase; pH 6–7; combine with tranexamic acid or niacinamide.
Sources
- Industry knowledge — Japanese medicated whitening practice
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
Brightening sheet mask
- Positioning
- Daily brightening single-use mask
- Formulation notes
- Compatible with HA, panthenol, and niacinamide; stable in mask serum without refrigeration.
Sources
- Industry knowledge — Asian brightening mask category
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
Brightening eye cream
- Positioning
- Targeted dark-circle / under-eye brightening
- Formulation notes
- Used at 1–2% in emulsion base; opaque packaging extends shelf life.
Sources
- Industry knowledge — eye-care category
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
Daily-use moisturizing emulsion
- Positioning
- General brightening / antioxidant cosmetic positioning (no quasi-drug claim)
- Formulation notes
- Used at 0.5–2% as antioxidant under cosmetic claims (no medicated whitening language).
Sources
- Industry knowledge — general cosmetic vitamin C usage
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
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Official regulatory databases
External links to public Japanese / international regulatory authorities. We are not affiliated.
References
- Japan 医薬品医療機器総合機構 PMDA (Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency) — quasi-drug active ingredient approval registry
- EU CosIng entry: Ascorbyl Glucoside
Last updated: 2026-04-22. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.