Written by
Louise W Lu, PhD, MPH, BMLS
Reviewed by
Alexandra V Goldberg, Registered Dietitian
Over the past few years—through COVID and every flu season—vitamin C has become a household staple. But here’s the catch: even if you take it daily, the results may not match your expectations. The real issue isn’t how much you take—it’s how much your body actually absorbs.
“It’s not what you eat, it’s what you digest and absorb.”
Regular vitamin C is fragile in the gut. Stomach acid and digestive enzymes can break it down before it ever reaches your bloodstream. The outcome? Poor absorption—and when you push the dose higher, stomach discomfort is common.
By contrast, Liposomal Vitamin C is smarter. It wraps vitamin C inside tiny “fat bubbles” called liposomes—think of it as putting vitamin C into a protective car. That helps it pass safely through the digestive tract, enter your bloodstream more efficiently, and stay gentler on your stomach.
Why it matters (and what this guide will do):
- Why it’s popular: Better real-world absorption, kinder on digestion.
- Are all liposomal C’s the same? Not at all. Particle size, layers (uni/bilayer), dosage form (liquid vs powder), and formulation choices all affect performance and value.
- Our goal: Compare the leading liposomal vitamin C options in Australia & New Zealand with plain-English criteria—so you can pick the one that truly works for you.
So with so many liposomal vitamin C products on shelves across Australia and New Zealand, which one is actually worth buying? Let’s break them down—clearly, simply, and with the details that matter.
Mainstream Liposomal Vitamin C Comparison in the ANZ Market
Before looking at the table, keep these 3 key points in mind — they determine whether liposomal Vitamin C is truly “reliable or not”:
-
Vitamin C Form (Ascorbic acid vs Sodium ascorbate)
• Ascorbic acid: The purest form of Vitamin C, highly active and effective; however, high doses may irritate the stomach. Once made into a liposome, discomfort is usually reduced.
• Sodium ascorbate: Gentler and more stomach-friendly, but contains sodium, so it provides about 11% less effective Vitamin C per gram.
Here, “activity” refers to the portion your body can actually utilize. Liposomal formulas usually recommend ascorbic acid. -
Liposomal Technology (Particle Size & Number of Layers)
• Smaller particles are easier to absorb.
• Different layers: Single-layer works like a “light car,” fast absorption; double-layer works like an “armored vehicle,” more stable and long-lasting, but slightly slower absorption.
• The more advanced the process, the more uniform the particles, and the more stable the effect. -
Clinical Data Availability
Marketing is easy, but evidence is rare. Always prioritize products with human clinical trials or plasma Vitamin C improvement data — they are more reliable.
- Next step: The table below gives you a clear glance at the differences among mainstream ANZ market products. Want the quick verdict? Click here to jump ↓
👉 Swipe left or right to see more parameters
| Brand / Product |
Vitamin C Form |
Liposomal Technology |
Particle Size (nm) |
Layers | Dosage Form & Stability |
Technology Highlights |
Clinical / Scientific Data |
Vitamin C per Serving (mg) |
Recommended Use |
LOLU™ Sup Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ascorbic acid – highly active, better utilized by the body | Liposovit®-C powder liposome | Below 300 | Double-layer (long-term stability, non-perishable) | Powder; shelf-stable; No preservatives; No odor |
Advanced patented process; Clean-label; Spray-dried powder; No cold chain |
~30% higher bioavailability vs peers; Plasma Vitamin C 85% at 4h, still ~70% at 10.5h; 2.5× longer plasma maintenance |
500 | [Sensitive stomach] [Clean-label] [Long-term supplementation] Suitable for daily Vitamin C intake, those seeking gentle, stable, preservative-free products. Single sachet dose too high for pregnant women/children. |
8.3 |
|
Sodium ascorbate – gentle, stomach-friendly, but lower activity | LIPOSHELL® patented liposome tech | ≈170 nm (±15%) | Double-layer, more stable | Liquid sachets; Refrigerate after opening; Easily oxidized; Sour taste |
Uniform particles, advanced process; Easy for daily use & travel |
Claimed absorption ~80%; Some data but inconsistent methodology; No head-to-head clinical |
≈889 mg (from 1000 mg sodium ascorbate) | [Travel-friendly] [Stomach-sensitive] [Requires refrigeration] [Best for short-term use] |
7.8 |
|
Ascorbic acid – highly active, better utilized by the body | LivOn Labs patented liposome | 3rd-party test: 200–400 | Double-layer phospholipid spheres | Old tech, liquid, easily oxidized; Water base supports microbes, spoilage, bad taste; Refrigerate after opening |
High phospholipid content; Convenient sachets |
Relies on brand claims & reputation; No head-to-head clinical |
1000 | [Long-term users] [Single sachet, direct drink] [Requires refrigeration] [High PC content supports liver & membranes] [For brand-loyal users & accustomed taste] |
7.6 |
|
Ascorbic acid – highly active | Liquid liposome (process undisclosed) | Undisclosed | Undisclosed | Liquid bottle; Refrigerate; Short shelf life after opening, spoilage, taste issues |
Includes Quercetin for anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immune support | Quercetin supported by some human studies; Product lacks independent clinical data |
1000 mg / 5 mL | [Allergy-prone / pollen season] [Immune regulation] [Antioxidant support] [Requires refrigeration] |
7.5 |
|
Ascorbic acid | NutraLife proprietary tablet liposome process | Undisclosed | Undisclosed | Tablet; shelf-stable; Easy to swallow; Less liposomal integrity than liquid/powder |
Immune complex: Vitamin C + Vitamin D + Zinc |
Clinical data mainly from single nutrients; No liposomal absorption comparison |
1200 mg / tablet | [Immune trio] [Convenient tablets] [For those disliking liquids/powders] [Shelf-stable] |
7.2 |
|
Ascorbic acid | GO Healthy proprietary capsule liposome process | Undisclosed | Undisclosed | Capsule; shelf-stable; Easy to swallow; Liposomal structure less visible vs liquid/powder |
Vegetarian capsule; NZ large brand, widely available |
No public clinical data; Positioned for daily immune support |
1000 mg / capsule | [Capsule convenience][Trusted brand] [Shelf-stable] [Daily immune support] |
7.0 |
|
Sodium ascorbate (buffered) | Quicksilver Delivery Systems® nano-liposome | 20–70 | Single-layer | Liquid bottle; refrigerate; Use quickly after opening |
Small particle size; some sublingual/oral absorption | 3rd-party data supports faster absorption; No head-to-head clinical |
1000 mg / 5 mL | [Fast absorption][Oral mucosa uptake] [Short-term boost][Higher budget] |
7.2 |
|
Sodium ascorbate (buffered) | Nano-liposomal tech (patent undisclosed) | Undisclosed | Undisclosed | Liquid bottle; Refrigerate; Consume quickly after opening |
Common in Australian clinical channels; Marketed for immunity & collagen |
No public head-to-head clinicals; Relies on practitioner recommendations |
1000 mg / 5 mL | [Practitioner-recommended][Immunity support][Collagen care] [Professional channel users] |
6.8 |
|
Mixed (Ascorbic acid + salts) | Generic liposomal process (not patented) | Undisclosed | Undisclosed | High-dose liquid sachets; Refrigerate; Consume quickly after opening |
Single dose 2000mg “mega-dose”; positioned for immune boost | No public clinicals; Relies on high-dose claims |
2000 mg / 15 mL | [High-dose][Short-term recovery] [Acute infection][High immune demand] |
6.5 |
|
Ascorbic acid | Generic liposomal process (non-patented) | ≈370 | Double-layer | Liquid bottle; refrigerate; Consume within 4–6 weeks after opening |
NZ local brand; Uses sunflower lecithin; Affordable |
No public clinicals; Positioned for basic supplementation |
1000 mg / 5 mL | [Basic supplementation][Price-sensitive] [Local brand preference][Gentle, stomach-friendly] |
6.8 |
Note: Particle size / layers / absorption rates are based on brand disclosures or third-party data; methods (DLS, NTA, TEM, etc.) differ, so horizontal comparisons are for reference only. “Undisclosed” means not released by the brand.
Want the quick verdict? Here are our Top 3 Picks
NYO3 Liposomal VC (Liposovit®-C) (Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐) — Click to Buy
- Why we recommend:
- Uses Liposovit®-C powder liposomal technology, shelf-stable at room temperature, no refrigeration required, avoiding spoilage issues common with liquid products.
- Supported by human clinical data: absorption is about 30% higher than regular Vitamin C, and plasma Vitamin C levels last longer (still 70%↑ after 10.5 hours).
- Clean-label, no preservatives, gentler on the stomach, suitable for long-term supplementation.
- Best for: People with sensitive stomachs, those seeking long-term stable health support, and individuals who value scientific data.
AFT Lipo-Sachets® VC (LIPOSHELL®) (Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐) — Click to Buy
- Why we recommend:
- Uses LIPOSHELL® patented technology, uniform particle size, double-layer structure for more stability, and gentler on the stomach.
- Individually packed sachets, convenient for travel and on-the-go use.
- Uses Sodium ascorbate, less gastric irritation.
- Drawbacks: Liquid form, must be refrigerated after opening, easily oxidized; effective Vitamin C content about 11% lower than ascorbic acid.
- Best for: Frequent travelers, acid-sensitive individuals, and those needing short-term immune support.
LivOn Lypo-Spheric®
- Why we recommend:
- The “classic brand” of liposomal Vitamin C, with many years of market reputation.
- Each sachet contains 1000mg Vitamin C, convenient for direct consumption.
- Contains Phosphatidylcholine (PC), providing additional support for the liver and cell membranes.
- Drawbacks: Older technology, liquid form requires refrigeration, easily oxidized; unusual taste not suitable for everyone.
- Best for: Long-time users, those accustomed to direct sachet use, and people who value brand reputation & PC synergy.
Authors:
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