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C 500 mg

21st Century
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
(35646 ratings)
Vitamin C 500 mg
Product Image
Score83
A low-cost 500 mg vitamin C tablet with a simple active profile. Limited buffering and incomplete excipient disclosure are the main trade-offs.
How scoring works
Quantity:110 Tablet(s) • (110 servings)
Goals:
Immunity
General Health
Skin Health
Anti-Inflammatory Support
Vision Support

Score 83

A low-cost 500 mg vitamin C tablet with a simple active profile. Limited buffering and incomplete excipient disclosure are the main trade-offs.
How scoring works

Also available as

6 options
250 servings C 500 mg • 250 Tablet(s) • 250 servings $8.99 ($0.03 per serving) 110 servings C 500 mg • 110 Tablet(s) • 110 servings $6.99 ($0.06 per serving) 110 servings C 500 mg • 110 Tablet(s) • 110 servings $7.99 ($0.07 per serving) 1000mg • 110 Tablet(s) servings C 1000 mg • 110 Tablet(s) • 110 servings $8.06 ($0.07 per serving) 1000mg • 60 Tablet(s) servings C 1000 mg • 60 Tablet(s) • 60 servings $4.49 ($0.07 per serving) 1000mg • 110 Tablet(s) servings C 1000 mg • 110 Tablet(s) • 110 servings $9.99 ($0.09 per serving)
$3.97($0.03 per serving)
Pure Formulas
$ 3.97
iHerb
$ 4.99
Report prices

Analysis

The 500 mg serving supports antioxidant activity, normal immune function, and collagen formation without pushing the amount unusually high. Plain ascorbic acid is well understood, though it offers no special absorption or sustained-release feature.

Calcium carbonate adds 30 mg of calcium and may provide limited buffering. The amount is too small to make calcium support a meaningful reason to choose the product.

A large tablet supply and low cost per serving make it useful for routine supplementation. Missing inactive-ingredient details prevent a full assessment of tablet additives and may matter to people with sensitivities.

Who is it for
  • Adults seeking a basic daily vitamin C supplement
  • Budget-focused shoppers
  • People comfortable with standard tablets
Best for
  • Foundational antioxidant support
  • Collagen and immune nutrition
  • Long-term economical use

Pros

  • Practical 500 mg serving
  • Very economical supply
  • Simple active-ingredient profile
  • Small amount of calcium carbonate may reduce acidity slightly

Cons

  • No advanced delivery system
  • Not a fully buffered vitamin C form
  • Inactive ingredients are not provided

Warnings

  • Unbuffered ascorbic acid may cause stomach discomfort or reflux in sensitive users
  • Combining it with other vitamin C products may increase the chance of loose stools
  • People with a history of calcium oxalate kidney stones should discuss regular supplemental vitamin C with a clinician

Nutrient quality

82 Highest impact

Plain ascorbic acid is effective but lacks a delivery or absorption advantage. The practical vitamin C amount fits focused daily use without unnecessary active ingredients.

Ingredient transparency

80 Highest impact

The vitamin C and calcium amounts are clearly stated with specific forms. Daily directions and a complete inactive-ingredient list are not supplied.

Customer satisfaction

73 High impact

The aggregate rating is very strong across an exceptionally large number of ratings. No review excerpts are supplied, so repeated complaints and purpose-specific experiences cannot be assessed.

Value for money

97 Highest impact

The simple formula delivers strong serving value at a very low cost. Basic ingredient forms and missing inactive-ingredient details are the main trade-offs.

Report analysis

Goals

Immunity
Immunity
Impact
Highest effect
A Goal FitB+ Strength of SupportC- CoverageA Formula Quality
Vitamin C · 500 mg

A straightforward vitamin C tablet meets the stated threshold for meaningful immune support. The simple formula is easy to assess and a small calcium addition may provide limited buffering.

Plain ascorbic acid offers no specialized delivery, and inactive ingredients are not supplied. It is a focused maintenance option rather than broad immune coverage.

Study evidence
Vitamin C Supportive 53 studies
General Health
General Health
Impact
High effect
B+ Goal FitB Strength of SupportC- CoverageA- Formula Quality
Vitamin C · 500 mg

A straightforward vitamin C amount supports antioxidant protection, immune function, and collagen formation. The formula addresses one foundational nutrient rather than offering broad wellness coverage.

Ascorbic acid is well established and clearly dosed, while the small calcium addition does not materially broaden the formula. Missing inactive-ingredient details leave tablet cleanliness and tolerance less certain.

Study evidence
Vitamin C Supportive 56 studies
Skin Health
Skin Health
Impact
High effect
B Goal FitB+ Strength of SupportC- CoverageA Formula Quality
Vitamin C · 500 mg

Vitamin C directly supports collagen synthesis and provides antioxidant protection for skin. The single-nutrient approach does not add hydration, barrier lipids, or structural collagen peptides.

The 500 mg amount is practical and clearly disclosed. Basic ascorbic acid is effective but offers no premium delivery advantage. Inactive ingredients are not supplied, which limits a full purity assessment.

Study evidence
Vitamin C Supportive 53 studies
Anti-Inflammatory Support
Cellular Defense
Anti-Inflammatory Support
Impact
High effect
C+ Goal FitB Strength of SupportD CoverageA- Formula Quality
Vitamin C · 500 mg

A meaningful vitamin C serving may help limit oxidative stress that can feed inflammatory signaling. Evidence supports its antioxidant role, though the formula does not directly address major inflammatory enzymes.

The plain ascorbic acid form is clearly stated and keeps the label simple. The narrow approach suits foundational antioxidant support better than broad anti-inflammatory coverage.

Study evidence
Vitamin C Supportive 50 studies
Vision Support
Macular and Blue Light Defense
Vision Support
Impact
High effect
C Goal FitB- Strength of SupportD- CoverageA- Formula Quality
Vitamin C · 500 mg

The 500 mg vitamin C amount supports ocular antioxidant defenses in the lens and retina. Used alone, it does not supply the carotenoids, zinc-copper balance, vitamin E, or DHA expected from a broad vision formula.

The ascorbic acid form is straightforward, while the small calcium amount provides only limited buffering. The focused tablet is easy to assess but narrow in scope.

Study evidence
Vitamin C Disputed 24 studies

Ingredients

IngredientAmount per serving
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
 500 mg
Calcium (Calcium Carbonate)
 30 mg
Gluten Free Adults 18–50
Report overview
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) · 500 mg OverallScore70
F Active Ingredient Quality & BioavailabilityA- Dose, Safety & Label TransparencyA+ Value

A straightforward ascorbic acid tablet delivers a practical amount with excellent cost efficiency. A small calcium carbonate addition may provide partial buffering but does not create a fully buffered vitamin C form. The missing inactive-ingredient list prevents a complete purity assessment.

View ingredientView products
Loading alternative details
89 Performance

Pure Buffered Calcium Ascorbate

NOW
A more performance-focused option combines 890 mg of vitamin C as Calcium Ascorbate with 100 mg of Calcium. Compared with the original's 500 mg of vitamin C as Ascorbic Acid, the larger disclosed amount may better fit users seeking higher-potency vitamin C.
88 Performance

Buffered Gold C

California Gold Nutrition
A more performance-focused option combines 1,000 mg of vitamin C as Sodium Ascorbate with a focused single-nutrient formula. Compared with the original's 500 mg of vitamin C as Ascorbic Acid, the larger disclosed amount may better fit users seeking higher-potency vitamin C.
85 Performance

Ester-C Plus 1000 mg Vitamin C

Solgar
A more performance-focused option combines 1,000 mg of vitamin C as Ester-C with 108 mg of Calcium and 200 mg of Citrus Bioflavonoids Complex. Compared with the original's 500 mg of vitamin C as Ascorbic Acid, the larger disclosed amount may better fit users seeking higher-potency vitamin C.
85 Budget

C-500 With Rose Hips

NOW
The lower serving cost still provides 500 mg of vitamin C as Ascorbic Acid with 40 mg of Rose Hips powder. The vitamin C amount is similar to the original, while the added ingredients and label details determine the more useful fit.
86 Budget

C

Swanson
No three unused eligible products had a lower listed serving cost, and this close-cost option provides 1,000 mg of vitamin C as Calcium Ascorbate with 120 mg of Calcium and 200 mg of Bioflavonoids. Compared with the original's 500 mg of vitamin C as Ascorbic Acid, the larger disclosed amount may better fit users seeking higher-potency vitamin C.
88 Budget

Sodium Ascorbate Capsules

NutriBiotic Immunity
No three unused eligible products had a lower listed serving cost, and this close-cost option provides 850 mg of vitamin C as Sodium Ascorbate with a focused single-nutrient formula. Compared with the original's 500 mg of vitamin C as Ascorbic Acid, the larger disclosed amount may better fit users seeking higher-potency vitamin C.
88 Value

Sodium Ascorbate

NutriBiotic Immunity
The higher serving cost pairs 1,100 mg of vitamin C as Sodium Ascorbate with a focused single-nutrient formula, so its value depends on wanting that ingredient profile. Compared with the original's 500 mg of vitamin C as Ascorbic Acid, the larger disclosed amount may better fit users seeking higher-potency vitamin C.
87 Value

100% Pure Vitamin C Powder

Swanson Premium Brand
The higher serving cost pairs 1,000 mg of vitamin C as Ascorbic Acid with a focused single-nutrient formula, so its value depends on wanting that ingredient profile. Compared with the original's 500 mg of vitamin C as Ascorbic Acid, the larger disclosed amount may better fit users seeking higher-potency vitamin C.
87 Value

C 500 mg

Mason Natural
The higher serving cost pairs 500 mg of vitamin C as Ascorbic Acid with a focused single-nutrient formula, so its value depends on wanting that ingredient profile. The vitamin C amount is similar to the original, while the added ingredients and label details determine the more useful fit.
Report alternatives

Sources

Published studies used for the product analysis and the top-ranked studies for each ingredient and goal.

  1. Efficacy of Vitamin C as Glucocorticoid Substitute for Reducing Pain and Inflammation After Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
    Jiang W; Xu H; Jiang X; Zhan Y; Ju Y; Xie J; Huang Z; Huang Q; Pei F · The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume · 2025
    Randomized trial107 participantsAnti-Inflammatory Support forVitamin C
  2. The Impact of Vitamin C on Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory, and Hemostatic Outcomes After Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
    Moftakhari Hajimirzaei S; Bagherzadeh Cham M; Dolikhani M; Tabatabaee SM; Ebrahimpour A · The archives of bone and joint surgery · 2026
    Meta-analysis1,162 participants10 studies pooledAnti-Inflammatory Support forVitamin C
  3. The impact of vitamin C supplementation on the perioperative outcomes after total hip and knee arthroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
    Liu X; Guo J; Li Y; Yang Y; Liu M; Gao Q; Yang Y; Wu X; Yue C · BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2026
    Meta-analysis852 participants8 studies pooledAnti-Inflammatory Support forVitamin C
  4. Therapeutic Impact of Ascorbic Acid on Oral and Periodontal Tissues: A Systematic Literature Review.
    Ruzijevaite G; Acaite E; Jagelaviciene E · Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) · 2025
    Systematic review811 participants17 studies pooledAnti-Inflammatory Support forVitamin C
  5. Oral vitamin C administration reduces early recurrence rates after electrical cardioversion of persistent atrial fibrillation and attenuates associated inflammation.
    Korantzopoulos P; Kolettis TM; Kountouris E; Dimitroula V; Karanikis P; Pappa E; Siogas K; Goudevenos JA · International journal of cardiology · 2005
    Randomized trial44 participantsAnti-Inflammatory Support forVitamin C
  6. Dietary intake and blood concentrations of antioxidants and the risk of cardiovascular disease, total cancer, and all-cause mortality: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective studies.
    Aune D; Keum N; Giovannucci E; Fadnes LT; Boffetta P; Greenwood DC; Tonstad S; Vatten LJ; Riboli E; Norat T · The American journal of clinical nutrition · 2019
    Meta-analysis69 studies pooledGeneral Health forVitamin C
  7. Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of a health claim related to vitamin C and increasing non haem iron absorption pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
    EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) · EFSA journal. European Food Safety Authority · 2026
    Guideline / consensusGeneral Health forVitamin C
  8. Vitamin C Depletion and All-Cause Mortality in Renal Transplant Recipients.
    Sotomayor CG; Eisenga MF; Gomes Neto AW; Ozyilmaz A; Gans ROB; Jong WHA; Zelle DM; Berger SP; Gaillard CAJM; Navis GJ; Bakker SJ · Nutrients · 2018
    Cohort study598 participantsGeneral Health forVitamin C
  9. Associations of Serum Biomarkers of Fruit and Vegetable Intake With the Risk of Cause-Specific Mortality and All-Cause Mortality: A National Prospective Cohort Study.
    Pu L; Zhang R; Wang X; Zhao T; Sun H; Han L · Frontiers in nutrition · 2022
    Cohort study12,530 participantsGeneral Health forVitamin C
  10. Relation between plasma ascorbic acid and mortality in men and women in EPIC-Norfolk prospective study: a prospective population study. European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition.
    Khaw KT; Bingham S; Welch A; Luben R; Wareham N; Oakes S; Day N · Lancet (London, England) · 2001
    Cohort study19,496 participantsGeneral Health forVitamin C
  11. Vitamin C and contribution to the normal function of the immune system: evaluation of a health claim pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
    EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) · EFSA journal. European Food Safety Authority · 2026
    Guideline / consensusImmunity forVitamin C
  12. Therapeutic effects of high-dose vitamin C supplementation in patients with COVID-19: a meta-analysis.
    Sun L; Zhao JH; Fan WY; Feng B; Liu WW; Chen RQ; Ban C; Dang AG; Wang M; Luo KT; Zhou GY; Yu FF; Ba Y · Nutrition reviews · 2024
    Meta-analysis2,334 participants14 studies pooledImmunity forVitamin C
  13. Effect of micronutrient supplements on influenza and other respiratory tract infections among adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
    Abioye AI; Bromage S; Fawzi W · BMJ global health · 2021
    Meta-analysisImmunity forVitamin C
  14. New evidence for antioxidant properties of vitamin C.
    Vojdani A; Bazargan M; Vojdani E; Wright J · Cancer detection and prevention · 2001
    Randomized trial20 participantsImmunity forVitamin C
  15. Enhanced Vitamin C Delivery: A Systematic Literature Review Assessing the Efficacy and Safety of Alternative Supplement Forms in Healthy Adults.
    Calder PC; Kreider RB; McKay DL · Nutrients · 2025
    Systematic review13 studies pooledImmunity forVitamin C
  16. Evaluation of the anti-wrinkle effect of an ascorbic acid-loaded dissolving microneedle patch via a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study.
    Lee C; Yang H; Kim S; Kim M; Kang H; Kim N; An S; Koh J; Jung H · International journal of cosmetic science · 2017
    Randomized trial23 participantsSkin Health forVitamin C
  17. Comparative Study on the Outcome of Periorbital Wrinkles Treated with Laser-Assisted Delivery of Vitamin C or Vitamin C Plus Growth Factors: A Randomized, Double-blind, Clinical Trial.
    Machado BHB; Frame J; Zhang J; Najlah M · Aesthetic plastic surgery · 2021
    Randomized trial149 participantsSkin Health forVitamin C
  18. Randomized trial of topical ascorbic acid in DMSO versus imiquimod for the treatment of basal cell carcinoma.
    Burke B; Bailie JE · Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie · 2022
    Randomized trial25 participantsSkin Health forVitamin C
  19. Vitamin C improves healing of foot ulcers: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
    Gunton JE; Girgis CM; Lau T; Vicaretti M; Begg L; Flood V · The British journal of nutrition · 2022
    Randomized trial16 participantsSkin Health forVitamin C
  20. Dietary nutrient intakes and skin-aging appearance among middle-aged American women.
    Cosgrove MC; Franco OH; Granger SP; Murray PG; Mayes AE · The American journal of clinical nutrition · 2007
    Cross-sectional study4,025 participantsSkin Health forVitamin C
  21. Role of Oral Vitamin 'C' on Astigmatic Errors in Phacoemulsification.
    Mohan S; Sah K; Khattri M; Ahmad L; Sachan SK · Current eye research · 2021
    Randomized trial400 participantsVision Support forVitamin C
  22. Ascorbic acid metabolites are involved in intraocular pressure control in the general population.
    Hysi PG; Khawaja AP; Menni C; Tamraz B; Wareham N; Khaw KT; Foster PJ; Benet LZ; Spector TD; Hammond CJ · Redox biology · 2019
    Observational studyVision Support forVitamin C
  23. Nutritional modulation of cataract.
    Weikel KA; Garber C; Baburins A; Taylor A · Nutrition reviews · 2014
    Narrative reviewVision Support forVitamin C
  24. Dietary n-3 Fatty Acid, α-Tocopherol, Zinc, vitamin D, vitamin C, and β-carotene are Associated with Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Japan.
    Aoki A; Inoue M; Nguyen E; Obata R; Kadonosono K; Shinkai S; Hashimoto H; Sasaki S; Yanagi Y · Scientific reports · 2017
    Case-control study530 participantsVision Support forVitamin C
  25. Adherence to a Mediterranean diet, lifestyle and age-related macular degeneration: the Coimbra Eye Study - report 3.
    Raimundo M; Mira F; Cachulo MDL; Barreto P; Ribeiro L; Farinha C; Laíns I; Nunes S; Alves D; Figueira J; Merle BM; Delcourt C; Santos L; Silva R · Acta ophthalmologica · 2019
    Case-control study883 participantsVision Support forVitamin C