Forms of vitamin C
| Form | What it is | Products |
|---|---|---|
| Plain L-ascorbic acid | Vitamin C with no plant additions | OstroVit capsules and powder |
| With bioflavonoids or rose hips | Ascorbic acid plus a plant ingredient | NOW Foods (citrus bioflavonoids and rutin; rose hips), Swanson (rose hips) |
| Sustained release | A tablet that releases the vitamin gradually | NOW Foods tablets |
| Liposomal | Vitamin C mixed with phospholipids from soy or sunflower lecithin | Quicksilver liquid, Yango capsules |
| Children's drops | 100 mg in 20 drops | Aura Herbals |
Liposomal vitamin C
Liposomal products pack vitamin C together with phospholipids. Manufacturers say this changes how it is absorbed, but we do not claim a stronger effect: compare the dose on the label and the price per day. Quicksilver uses soy lecithin and contains ethanol, Yango uses sunflower lecithin. If you are allergic to soy, read the ingredient list.
Reading the dose
The EU NRV for vitamin C is 80 mg, so almost every product here is far above it.
| Vitamin C per daily dose | % of NRV (80 mg) |
|---|---|
| 100 mg | 125% |
| 500 mg | 625% |
| 800 mg | 1000% |
| 1000 mg | 1250% |
NIH ODS sets the tolerable upper intake level for adults at 2000 mg a day from all sources. Above it, diarrhoea and stomach cramps become more likely. Vitamin C is water-soluble, which is why most labels give one dose a day.
Vitamin C products compared
| Product | Form | Vitamin C per day | Pack lasts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aura Herbals Vitamin C Drops for Children, 30 ml | drops | 100 mg (20 drops) | see card |
| NOW Foods C-1000 with Citrus Bioflavonoids and Rutin, 100 capsules | capsule | 1000 mg | 100 days |
| NOW Foods C-1000 with Rose Hips, Sustained Release, 100 tablets | sustained-release tablet | 1000 mg | 100 days |
| OstroVit Vitamin C 1000 mg, 120 capsules | capsule | 1000 mg | 120 days |
| OstroVit Vitamin C Powder, 500 g | powder, 1 g scoop | 1000 mg | 500 days |
| Quicksilver Liposomal Vitamin C, 120 ml | liquid, 5 ml | 1000 mg | 24 days |
| Swanson Vitamin C with Rose Hips 500 mg, 100 capsules | capsule | 500 or 1000 mg | 50 to 100 days |
| Yango Liposomal Vitamin C, 60 capsules | liposomal capsule | 800 mg (2 capsules) | 30 days |
Vitamin C for children
Aura Herbals drops are the only children's product here: 20 drops give 100 mg. The label says that for children under 10 a doctor should choose the dose, and that the drops are not for children under 1 year. The other products are labelled for adults.
Vitamin C benefits under EU-authorised claims
Regulation (EU) No 432/2012 permits these statements for products that provide at least 15% of the NRV per daily dose. Every product in this category meets that condition:
- Vitamin C contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
- Vitamin C contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.
- Vitamin C contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
- Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin.
- Vitamin C contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
- Vitamin C contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system.
- Vitamin C increases iron absorption.
The last claim concerns iron eaten at the same meal; our iron category has the products. Collagen products are in collagen. For zinc taken alongside vitamin C, see zinc.
Questions
Is 1000 mg a day too much?
It is below the 2000 mg NIH ODS upper level for adults and is what most capsules here contain. Swanson capsules are 500 mg each, so you can take one instead.
Is liposomal vitamin C better than ordinary vitamin C?
We do not claim that. Both give the dose written on the label. Choose by dose, form and price per day.
Who should avoid high doses?
The OstroVit and Quicksilver labels say not to use the product if you are prone to kidney stones. Check the warnings on the product page.
When should I take it?
Follow the label: NOW Foods capsules are taken with food, Quicksilver on an empty stomach at least 10 minutes before a meal, Yango after a meal.
Sources
- Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, Annex XIII (reference intakes)
- Regulation (EU) No 432/2012 (permitted health claims)
- NIH Office of Dietary Supplements: Vitamin C fact sheet
- EFSA: Health claims
Content reviewed by Inese Kalniņa, dietitian.
2026-07-23
