Skin care compositions comprising O-substituted ascorbic acid derivatives in combination with gluconolactone (I) A composition comprising: an O-substituted ascorbic acid or derivative thereof； and gluconolactone or derivative thereof, wherein the composition comprises an aqueous phase present at up to 95 wt% or up to 90 wt% of the composition is provided. Preferably the O-substituted ascorbic acid derivative is represented by formula (I) wherein R1 and R2 are independently H, C1-20alkyl, C3-20cycloalkyl, C1-20alkoxy, C2-20acyl, C6-20aryl, C1-20heterocyclic aromatic, C1-20heterocyclic non-aromatic or C3-20cycloalkenyl, in particular the O-substituted ascorbic acid derivative is 3-ethyl ascorbic acid. The composition may be in the form of an oil-in-water composition comprising 30 to 85 wt% of an aqueous phase, and 15 to 70 wt% of an oil phase. Preferably the composition is a water-in-silicone oil emulsion wherein the silicone oil is preferably a silicone elastomer. The composition is preferably used in a method of improving skin care wherein improving skin care includes improving (i) skin exfoliation, or moisturisation, or (ii) decreasing or preventing at least one of the following, forming wrinkles or fine lines, skin sagging, or hyperpigmentation, or (iii) increasing skin firmness or skin laxity.
