Why Kakadu Plum Extract Is A Better Vitamin C For Your Skin Than Ascorbic Acid

Vitamin C is one of the most talked-about skincare ingredients, and there’s several good reasons for this – It brightens the skin, supports collagen, evens tone, and protects against environmental stress.

But not all Vitamin C is created equal.

Most skincare products rely on synthetic Vitamin C derivatives like Ascorbic Acid or Ascorbyl Glucoside. They work — on paper, but in reality, they come with stability issues, irritation risks, and performance limits.

That’s why we chose Kakadu Plum Extract  as the Vitamin C to include in ALL our Forbidden Beauty skincare products.

Not because it sounds exotic, but simply because it works better for the skin.

This article below, explains why :

The Problem With Traditional Vitamin C In Skincare

1. Ascorbic Acid : Effective But Unforgiving

Ascorbic Acid (L-Ascorbic Acid) is the purest form of Vitamin C.
But it’s also the most problematic.

Key issues:

• Highly unstable (oxidises quickly)
• Requires a low pH to work
• Can sting, burn, or irritate sensitive skin
• It loses its effectiveness once exposed to light and air

In short : It works — until it doesn’t.

For people with sensitive skin, rosacea, redness, or compromised barriers, Ascorbic Acid often does more harm than good.

2. Vitamin C Derivatives : Gentler, But Weaker

Alternative ingredients, like :

• Ascorbyl Glucoside
• Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
• Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate 

were created to solve these irritation and stability issues.

They’re gentler and more stable … 

But there’s a trade-off.

They must convert into Ascorbic Acid inside the skin to work.

That conversion is inefficient and inconsistent.

So while they’re safer, they’re also less potent.

What Makes Kakadu Plum Extract Different?

1. The World’s Richest Natural Source Of Vitamin C

Kakadu Plum contains up to 100x more Vitamin C than oranges.

But concentration isn’t the real advantage.

The Vitamin C in Kakadu Plum exists in a complex, bioavailable plant matrix — not as an isolated lab-made compound.

That matters.

2. More Stable Than Synthetic Vitamin C

Kakadu Plum Extract is naturally stabilised by:

• Polyphenols
• Flavonoids
• Antioxidant co-factors 

These compounds slow oxidation and protect the Vitamin C from breaking down.

This results in : 

• A longer shelf life
• More consistent performance
• No rapid degradation after opening 

This means that your product will work on day 1 and work on day 90.

3. Powerful Without The Irritation

One of the biggest myths in skincare is that Vitamin C has to sting to work.

It doesn’t.

Kakadu Plum delivers Vitamin C without requiring an aggressive pH.

That makes it :

• Suitable for sensitive skin
• Compatible with rosacea prone skin
• Safe for daily use, morning and night
  

Thus you get all the benefits — without compromising your skin barrier.

Beyond Vitamin C : The Hidden Advantage

Synthetic Vitamin C gives you one active, whereas Kakadu Plum gives you an entire antioxidant system.

Kakadu Plum also contains :

• Gallic acid (anti-inflammatory)
• Ellagic acid (brightening + protective)
• Natural flavonoids (barrier support) 

These compounds enhance the performance of Vitamin C, instead of leaving it to work alone.

This is why plant-based actives often outperform isolated lab ingredients over time.

Better Collagen Support, Naturally

Vitamin C plays a critical role in collagen synthesis.

But collagen production is easily disrupted by :

• Inflammation
• Oxidative stress
• Barrier damage 

Because Kakadu Plum is gentler and anti-inflammatory, it supports collagen without triggering the very stress that breaks collagen down.

That’s a big deal. Especially for ageing or reactive skin.

Why We Include Kakadu Plum Extract In ALL Our Skincare Products

At Forbidden Beauty, we don’t chase ingredient trends.

We look for ingredients that :

• Work consistently
• Respect sensitive skin
• Deliver long-term results 

Kakadu Plum Extract meets those standards.

It pairs exceptionally well with :

• Manuka Leaf Extract (antibacterial, calming). This included in our powerful Age Perfection Night Cream.
  
• Mamaku Leaf Extract (hydration + skin renewal). This included in ALL our skincare creams.
  

This combination supports glow, clarity, and resilience — not just short-term brightness.

The Bottom Line

Ascorbic Acid
✔ Powerful
✖ Unstable
✖ Often irritating

Vitamin C derivatives
✔ Gentler
✖ Less effective

Kakadu Plum Extract
✔ Stable
✔ Potent
✔ Bioavailable
✔ Suitable for sensitive skin

If you want Vitamin C that actually works day after day, Kakadu Plum is the smarter choice. If you are unsure of what Vitamin C your current skincare products contain I suggest you carefully read your labels. 

Ingredients really do matter. That is why we proudly, and clearly, display all Our Ingredients from a menu on our website.