Meet the Vitamin C Derivative in Our Microdart

Published: August 29, 2026

Ingredient Guide

Why Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate is used in tone-focused skincare.

Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, often shortened to SAP, is a vitamin C derivative used in cosmetics for its antioxidant function. It is often included in formulas focused on uneven-looking tone and visible signs of skin aging.

In the CLERIVY Microdart Spot Patch, SAP is part of the Tone Care group.

How Is It Different from Pure Vitamin C?

The pure form of vitamin C is L-ascorbic acid. Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate is a phosphorylated derivative of ascorbic acid with its own chemical identity.

This is why a product may describe SAP as a vitamin C derivative while listing Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate as the exact ingredient.

The distinction also matters when comparing research. Results from L-ascorbic acid or another vitamin C derivative cannot automatically be applied to SAP.

How It Fits into the CLERIVY Formula

In the CLERIVY Microdart Spot Patch, SAP appears under Tone Care alongside:

7% Niacinamide
3% Tranexamic Acid
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate

The 7% and 3% figures apply only to Niacinamide and Tranexamic Acid. CLERIVY has not published a percentage for Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate.

All three ingredients are part of the dissolving patch formula. The accompanying Blemish Clearing Pad has its own separate ingredient list.

What SAP Research Can Tell Us

Researchers have studied SAP in topical formulas focused on uneven pigmentation, wrinkles, and skin elasticity.

One controlled study used a lotion containing 6% L-ascorbate-2-phosphate trisodium salt. Another clinical study compared 5% SAP and ascorbic acid in emulgel formulations.

These studies help explain why SAP appears in tone- and age-focused skincare, but their results belong to the specific formulas and concentrations that were tested.

Neither study tested a dissolving microdart patch or a CLERIVY product. A lotion or emulgel cannot be treated as evidence of how the finished CLERIVY Microdart Spot Patch performs.

Studies conducted on the finished CLERIVY Microdart Spot Patch are covered separately on CLERIVY Product Testing & Certifications, together with their methods and limitations.

Explore the Complete Formula

Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate is part of the complete Microdart Spot Patch formula.

Visit What’s Inside a CLERIVY Microdart to see the full patch formula, the separate Blemish Clearing Pad ingredients, and the ingredient amounts CLERIVY currently publishes.