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Ultra C Formula

Swanson Premium Brand
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
(115 ratings)
Vitamin C 500 mg
Rutin 10 mg
Acerola 10 mg
Product Image
Score80
A good basic vitamin C capsule with a meaningful amount and small complementary flavonoids. Its low-dose acerola and rutin are supporting extras rather than targeted actives.
How scoring works
Quantity:250 Capsule(s) • (250 servings)
Goals:
Immunity
Skin Health
General Health
Vision Support
Anti-Inflammatory Support

Score 80

A good basic vitamin C capsule with a meaningful amount and small complementary flavonoids. Its low-dose acerola and rutin are supporting extras rather than targeted actives.
How scoring works
$12.49($0.04 per serving)
iHerb
$ 12.49
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Analysis

Ascorbic acid supplies a meaningful vitamin C amount for routine antioxidant, immune, and collagen support. The formula is narrow enough to assess easily and avoids an excessive serving size.

Acerola, citrus bioflavonoids, hesperidin, rose hips, and rutin are included in small equal amounts. They create a coherent supporting blend, but the quantities are too light to make them major reasons to choose the product.

The capsule suits shoppers who want inexpensive, straightforward vitamin C rather than an elaborate antioxidant formula. People with a sensitive stomach may prefer a buffered form, and those seeking targeted acerola or rutin should look for larger, standardized amounts.

Who is it for
  • Adults wanting a simple daily vitamin C capsule
  • Value-focused users who tolerate ascorbic acid well
Best for
  • Routine vitamin C supplementation
  • Basic antioxidant and collagen support

Pros

  • Meaningful vitamin C amount
  • Simple one-capsule serving
  • Clearly disclosed active quantities
  • Small but coherent flavonoid additions

Cons

  • Uses unbuffered ascorbic acid
  • Acerola amount is too small for targeted use
  • Rutin and hesperidin are only minor additions
  • No enhanced-delivery feature is listed

Warnings

  • Ascorbic acid may cause stomach discomfort or loose stools in sensitive users.
  • Vitamin C can increase iron absorption, which matters for people with iron-overload conditions.
  • People prone to calcium-oxalate kidney stones should be cautious about combining it with other high-dose vitamin C products.

Nutrient quality

79 High impact

The vitamin C amount is useful and fits the intended antioxidant purpose. Very small botanical and flavonoid additions contribute little functional depth.

Ingredient transparency

86 Highest impact

Every active amount is listed without a hidden blend. Detailed usage directions and inactive ingredients are not supplied.

Customer satisfaction

67 High impact

The aggregate rating is very strong, with a moderate amount of supporting feedback. Detailed comments are unavailable, so patterns in user experience cannot be judged.

Value for money

86 Highest impact

The formula delivers a meaningful vitamin C serving at very low cost. Token extras do not add much value, but the basic product remains highly competitive.

Report analysis

Goals

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

A 500 mg Vitamin C serving provides direct antioxidant and immune-cell support. Ascorbic acid is well established, but the formula offers no buffering or enhanced delivery.

Acerola, bioflavonoids, hesperidin, rose hips, and rutin add some complementary antioxidant breadth. Their very small amounts appear more decorative than functionally important, leaving Vitamin C as the clear driver.

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

A meaningful vitamin C amount gives clear support to normal collagen synthesis. The formula is narrow and does not supply collagen peptides, ceramides, or hyaluronic acid.

Ascorbic acid and the small flavonoid additions are fully quantified in a simple capsule. Its focused design provides dependable cofactor depth without unnecessary ingredients.

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

Vitamin C supplies a well-established antioxidant nutrient that supports immune function and collagen production. The amount is suitable for routine supplementation and is fully disclosed.

Ascorbic acid is effective but offers no special buffering or delivery advantage. The small amounts of acerola, bioflavonoids, hesperidin, rose hips, and rutin are coherent additions but likely secondary.

Study evidence
Vitamin C Supportive 56 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

Vitamin C provides useful antioxidant support for the lens and other ocular tissues. A single antioxidant cannot replace a broader vision formula built around macular carotenoids, zinc, or structural lipids.

The 500 mg amount is clearly disclosed and reaches a meaningful supplemental range. Standard ascorbic acid has no buffering or absorption technology, while the small flavonoid additions are too low to transform delivery.

Study evidence
Vitamin C Disputed 24 studies
Anti-Inflammatory Support
Cellular Defense
Anti-Inflammatory Support
Impact
High effect
B- Goal FitB- Strength of SupportD+ CoverageB Formula Quality
Vitamin C · 500 mg

Vitamin C provides practical antioxidant support, with rutin and citrus compounds offering a small complementary contribution. The formula is useful for oxidative stress but does not strongly engage direct inflammatory signaling.

The vitamin amount is clearly disclosed and appropriate for routine use. Tiny amounts of the supporting flavonoids limit pathway breadth despite the otherwise clean, coherent design.

Study evidence
Rutin Supportive 6 studies
Vitamin C Supportive 50 studies

Ingredients

IngredientAmount per serving
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
 500 mg
Acerola Cherry
10 mg
Citrus Bioflavonoid Complex
10 mg
Hesperidin Complex
10 mg
Rose Hips (Rose Hips concentrate)
 10 mg
Rutin
10 mg
Adults 18–50
Report overview
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) · 500 mg OverallScore68
F Active Ingredient Quality & BioavailabilityA Dose, Safety & Label TransparencyA+ Value

Standard ascorbic acid delivers a practical amount with small botanical and flavonoid additions but no absorption technology. The 500 mg serving falls within the preferred intake range. The vitamin C amount is clearly stated apart from the botanical and flavonoid additions, while the formula provides exceptionally low cost per gram for standard vitamin C.

View ingredientView products
Rutin · 10 mg OverallScore45
F Active Ingredient Quality & BioavailabilityD- Dose, Safety & Label TransparencyB Value

The 10 mg rutin amount is clearly disclosed but too low for targeted use. Missing source, form, purity, and standardization details weaken ingredient-quality confidence. Good cost efficiency partly offsets the limited dose for shoppers treating rutin as a supporting ingredient.

View ingredientView products
Acerola · 10 mg OverallScore25
F Active Ingredient Quality & BioavailabilityF Dose, Safety & Label TransparencyD+ Value
Synthetic or buffered vitamin C dominates while acerola contributes only 10 mg. No vitamin C yield, standardization percentage, or concentration ratio is disclosed for the acerola. 10 mg is a token acerola amount below the minimum potency tier. The broader formula, rather than acerola, provides nearly all of the intended activity.
View ingredientView products
Loading alternative details
85 Performance

Buffered Vitamin C 500 mg

Solaray
<p>The same main vitamin C amount is paired with substantially more acerola, rose hips, lemon bioflavonoids, rutin, and hesperidin than the original. Calcium carbonate and magnesium oxide are not vitamin C carriers, so the buffering claim is less clear than with calcium ascorbate.</p>
83 Performance

Ester-C plus 500 mg Vitamin C

Solgar
<p>Ester-C provides the same vitamin C amount in buffered calcium ascorbate form, improving delivery quality over plain ascorbic acid. The supporting acerola, rose hips, rutin, and bioflavonoids remain modest, but the formula is clearly quantified.</p>
79 Performance

Buffered Vitamin C 500 mg

Bluebonnet
<p>Calcium ascorbate keeps the same vitamin C amount in a buffered form and adds 250 mg of citrus bioflavonoids. It omits acerola, rose hips, and hesperidin, while its 10 mg rutin amount only matches the original.</p>
85 Budget

Buffered Vitamin C 500 mg

Solaray
<p>No eligible non-target candidate has a lower serving cost, and this is one of the closest budget options. It keeps 500 mg of vitamin C while raising acerola, rose hips, lemon bioflavonoids, rutin, and hesperidin well above the original's token amounts, though magnesium oxide is a basic form.</p>
80 Budget

Supreme C Complex

Swanson Premium Brand
<p>The original is still cheaper, but this low-cost option keeps the same vitamin C amount and raises citrus bioflavonoids from a token addition to 500 mg. It does not retain acerola, rose hips, or hesperidin as separate ingredients.</p>
82 Budget

Buffered C-1000 Complex

NOW
<p>The serving costs more because the original is already the least costly eligible choice. It doubles the vitamin C amount in calcium ascorbate form and supplies much larger citrus bioflavonoid, acerola, and rutin amounts.</p>
82 Value

Buffered C-1000 Complex

NOW
<p>Twice the vitamin C in calcium ascorbate form plus 250 mg of citrus bioflavonoids provides much more active material at a still-low recurring cost. Acerola and rutin are also larger than in the original, while rose hips and hesperidin are not separately listed.</p>
80 Value

Natural Cran-Raspberry Flavor Chewable Vitamin C 500 mg

Solgar
<p>A chewable format combines calcium ascorbate, ascorbic acid, and sodium ascorbate while keeping a low recurring cost. Acerola and rose hips remain small and the repeated 500 mg form entries make the true total unclear, so convenience is the main value gain.</p>
85 Value

Buffered Vitamin C Chewable 500 mg Natural Orange Flavor

Solaray
<p>Calcium ascorbate supplies the same vitamin C amount in a chewable form with somewhat larger acerola, rose hips, and citrus bioflavonoids. It costs more than the original and omits rutin and hesperidin, but the buffered form and convenience partly justify the difference.</p>
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Sources

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

  1. 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
  2. Serum vitamin C and spinal pain: a nationwide study.
    Dionne CE; Laurin D; Desrosiers T; Abdous B; Le Sage N; Frenette J; Mondor M; Pelletier S · Pain · 2017
    Cross-sectional study4,742 participantsGeneral Health forVitamin C
  3. 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
  4. Immunocompetence and oxidant defense during ascorbate depletion of healthy men.
    Jacob RA; Kelley DS; Pianalto FS; Swendseid ME; Henning SM; Zhang JZ; Ames BN; Fraga CG; Peters JH · The American journal of clinical nutrition · 1992
    Clinical trial8 participantsImmunity forVitamin C
  5. 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
  6. Association between hemoglobin A1c, Vitamin C, and microbiome in diabetic foot ulcers and intact skin: A cross-sectional study.
    Tong KPS; Green SJ; Ortiz J; Wu SC · Health science reports · 2024
    Cross-sectional study42 participantsSkin Health forVitamin C
  7. The effects of rutin flavonoid supplement on glycemic status, lipid profile, atherogenic index of plasma, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), some serum inflammatory, and oxidative stress factors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
    Bazyar H; Moradi L; Zaman F; Zare Javid A · Phytotherapy research : PTR · 2023
    Randomized trial50 participantsAnti-Inflammatory Support forRutin
  8. Rutin ameliorates inflammation and improves metabolic function: A comprehensive analysis of scientific literature.
    Muvhulawa N; Dludla PV; Ziqubu K; Mthembu SXH; Mthiyane F; Nkambule BB; Mazibuko-Mbeje SE · Pharmacological research · 2022
    Systematic reviewAnti-Inflammatory Support forRutin
  9. Rutin-loaded chitosan microspheres: Characterization and evaluation of the anti-inflammatory activity.
    Cosco D; Failla P; Costa N; Pullano S; Fiorillo A; Mollace V; Fresta M; Paolino D · Carbohydrate polymers · 2018
    OtherAnti-Inflammatory Support forRutin
  10. Oral enzyme combination therapy reduces systemic inflammation, urinary CTXII and pain in knee osteoarthritis: a proof-of-mechanism, randomised, crossover, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
    Henrotin Y; Pap T; Lieten S; Badot V; Dubuc JE; Urbin-Choffray D; von Eynatten M; Johansen OE; Rau S; Brabants K · RMD open · 2025
    Randomized trial45 participantsAnti-Inflammatory Support forRutin
  11. The Impact of the Combination of Proteolytic Enzyme and Rutin on the Post-operative Management of Inflammation: A Randomized, Controlled, Double-Blind, Comparative Clinical Trial
    Rathi PC, Rathi CL, Risbud SP, Ganu GP · Cureus · 2024
    Randomized trial65 participantsAnti-Inflammatory Support forRutin
  12. 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
  13. 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
  14. 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
  15. 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
  16. 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
  17. 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
  18. 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
  19. 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
  20. 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
  21. 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
  22. 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
  23. 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
  24. 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
  25. 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
  26. 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
  27. 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
  28. 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
  29. 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
  30. 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
  31. Nutritional modulation of cataract.
    Weikel KA; Garber C; Baburins A; Taylor A · Nutrition reviews · 2014
    Narrative reviewVision Support forVitamin C
  32. 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
  33. 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