Ascorbic acid is an organic acid whereas sodium ascorbate is a mineral salt of ascorbic acid. Sodium ascorbate is milder than ascorbic acid as it is buffered and has less acidity. ... Sodium ascorbate has an ester function whereas ascorbic acid does not have an ester function in it.
Pure Vitamin C is known as L-Ascorbic Acid. The “L” in front of Ascorbic is a reference to how the molecule itself rotates to light and refers to its source. L-Ascorbic Acid comes from natural sources such as oranges.
Vitamin C supplement is actually not necessary unless gastrointestinal problem, like mal-absorption, is present. Also, the multivitamin and minerals most people take once daily already contain 60 mg – 90 mg of ascorbic acid, which meets our daily need. Megadose of any vitamin is unsafe.