Origins of synthetic vitamin C

The history of Redoxon is closely connected with one of the most important developments in vitamin chemistry.

In 1933, Polish-Swiss chemist Tadeusz Reichstein developed a practical method for synthesizing vitamin C (ascorbic acid). Roche became involved in the development and commercialization of synthetic vitamin C, helping turn it from a laboratory discovery into a product that could be manufactured on a large scale. Roche’s own historical account identifies Reichstein’s work as a major milestone in its early vitamin business.

The following year, 1934, Redoxon was introduced commercially. The brand therefore became associated with the early mass commercialization of synthetic vitamin C. Redoxon itself describes 1934 as the year it pioneered the world’s first vitamin-C supplement. 1

This history is particularly significant because vitamin C had previously been obtained primarily from natural food sources. The ability to manufacture ascorbic acid synthetically made vitamin C considerably more practical to produce and distribute at scale.

Reichstein and the Nobel Prize

Reichstein’s work subsequently became part of the scientific foundation for modern vitamin C production. He was awarded the 1950 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, jointly with Edward Calvin Kendall and Philip Showalter Hench, although the Nobel Prize recognized his work concerning the chemistry of the adrenal cortex and related hormones rather than Redoxon’s commercial development itself.

Thus, it is more accurate to say that Reichstein developed the synthetic route that enabled large-scale vitamin C production rather than that he personally “invented Redoxon.”

For much of its history, Redoxon was associated with Roche.

In 2004, Roche agreed to sell its global Consumer Health business to Bayer. The transaction was largely completed by the beginning of 2005. Bayer’s acquisition included several well-known consumer-health brands, including Redoxon, Berocca, Bepanthen, Rennie and Supradyn.

Bayer officially describes the January 2005 acquisition as an important step that made it one of the world’s leading suppliers of non-prescription medicines.

Consequently, Redoxon’s corporate lineage can broadly be summarized as:

Reichstein’s vitamin C research → Roche commercialization → Bayer acquisition → modern Redoxon

Historically, Redoxon was principally a vitamin C brand. Its modern portfolio, however, is broader.

The central idea behind the brand is that vitamins and minerals provide nutrients that support normal physiological functions, particularly the immune system.

Bayer currently describes Redoxon as part of its nutritional portfolio, with products containing vitamin C and combinations of vitamin C, vitamin D and zinc. 2

In Malaysia, for example, the official Redoxon portfolio includes:

• Vitamin C

• Vitamin C + Zinc

• Vitamin C + Vitamin D + Zinc

• Vitamin C + Calcium + Vitamin D + Vitamin B6

• Children’s vitamin C and combination products

The exact products and formulations differ between countries. 3

1. Vitamin C

Vitamin C remains the core of Redoxon’s identity.

A typical Redoxon vitamin-C product contains ascorbic acid and is intended to supplement dietary vitamin C. Some products are available as effervescent tablets that dissolve in water.

For example, one Redoxon 1000 mg effervescent formulation provides 1,000 mg of vitamin C per tablet. The manufacturer states that vitamin C contributes to normal immune-system function and acts as an antioxidant. 4

2. Vitamin C + Zinc

Redoxon also offers products combining vitamin C with zinc.

The rationale is that both nutrients are involved in normal immune-system function, although they perform different biological roles.

One Malaysian Redoxon Double Action formulation, for example, contains:

• Vitamin C — 500 mg

• Zinc — 5 mg

The manufacturer recommends following the dosage instructions on the individual product and not exceeding the recommended intake.

3. Vitamin C + Vitamin D + Zinc

One of Redoxon’s more prominent modern formulations combines three micronutrients:

Vitamin C + Vitamin D + Zinc

In Malaysia, the Redoxon Triple Action effervescent formulation contains:

• Vitamin C — 1,000 mg

• Vitamin D — 400 IU

• Zinc — 10 mg

The product is positioned around supporting normal immune-system function.

4. Vitamin C + Calcium + Vitamin D + B6

Redoxon’s portfolio also extends beyond its traditional immunity positioning.

Its C + Calcium + D + B6 formulation contains:

• Vitamin C — 1,000 mg

• Vitamin D — 300 IU

• Vitamin B6 — 15 mg

• Calcium — 250 mg

This illustrates how the brand has expanded from being essentially a vitamin-C brand into a broader vitamin-and-mineral supplement platform.

5. Children’s products

Redoxon also has products aimed at children, with formulations and age recommendations depending on the country.

In Malaysia, the portfolio includes Redoxon Kids Vitamin C and Redoxon Double Action Kids Chewable, among others.

In some markets, children’s products are marketed under the Redoxitos name.

Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is an essential water-soluble vitamin.

The human body cannot produce enough vitamin C on its own, so it must be obtained from food or supplementation.

Vitamin C has several recognized physiological roles, including contributing to:

• normal immune-system function;

• protection of cells from oxidative stress;

• normal collagen formation;

• normal functioning of the nervous system;

• normal energy-yielding metabolism;

• reduction of tiredness and fatigue under applicable nutritional-claim frameworks.

Redoxon therefore uses vitamin C as the scientific and historical foundation of its brand identity.

Importantly, Redoxon is a nutritional supplement rather than a substitute for a balanced diet, medical treatment or vaccination. Product claims and permitted health claims also vary between countries.

Redoxon’s positioning has evolved considerably over its history.

Historical positioning

The early Redoxon identity was strongly associated with:

Vitamin C

The brand’s principal differentiation was its connection with synthetic vitamin C and the scientific heritage of Roche.

Modern positioning

Today, Redoxon is positioned more broadly around:

Immunity + micronutrients + everyday health

Bayer describes the brand as helping consumers obtain important micronutrients and support immunity and everyday health.

The shift is important from a marketing perspective. Rather than competing solely as a vitamin-C tablet, Redoxon now operates across several supplement needs and formats.

One of Redoxon’s most recognizable characteristics is its effervescent tablet format.

The consumer places a tablet into water, where it dissolves to create a flavored drink.

This format differentiates Redoxon from conventional swallowed vitamin tablets and has become strongly associated with the brand in many markets.

However, Redoxon also sells:

• chewable tablets;

• children’s formulations;

• conventional vitamin products;

• combination vitamin/mineral products.

The available formats depend on the country.

Redoxon is marketed internationally, but its exact product portfolio varies significantly from market to market. For readers in Singapore, it is important to note that the local range differs from those found in neighbouring countries like Malaysia.

Singapore currently lists products such as Redoxon Immunoplus Bone, Immuno Triple Action Chewable and children’s products. 5

Products sold in Singapore carry local product-registration information, and consumers should follow the directions and warnings printed on the particular product rather than assuming that formulations are identical across countries.

Redoxon’s marketing is built around the biological functions of its constituent nutrients rather than the idea that the product directly “cures” infections.

For example:

Vitamin C
Supports normal immune function and acts as an antioxidant.

Vitamin D
Contributes to normal immune function and has important roles in bone and calcium metabolism.

Zinc
Is an essential mineral involved in numerous biological processes, including normal immune function.

The combination of these nutrients is therefore marketed as nutritional support for the body’s normal defenses.

This distinction matters: a vitamin supplement should not automatically be interpreted as a treatment or prevention for a specific disease.

Today, Redoxon is a Bayer brand.

Bayer is a major German life-sciences company whose activities include pharmaceuticals, consumer health and agricultural science.

Redoxon became part of Bayer’s portfolio through the 2005 acquisition of Roche Consumer Health. Bayer’s historical records explicitly identify Redoxon among the major brands obtained through the transaction.

So although Redoxon is now marketed by Bayer, its historical roots are in Roche’s vitamin business.

Redoxon is marketed internationally, but its exact product portfolio varies significantly from market to market.

For example, the Malaysian portfolio differs from the Singaporean portfolio. This localization is typical of global consumer-health brands because:

1. supplement regulations differ between countries;

2. permitted health claims differ;

3. nutritional requirements differ;

4. consumer preferences differ;

5. product registrations differ;

6. available ingredients and dosages may differ.

Therefore, there isn’t necessarily one universal “Redoxon product.”

A simplified timeline looks like this:

1933 — Tadeusz Reichstein develops a method for synthesizing vitamin C.

1934 — Redoxon is commercially introduced as a vitamin-C product.

20th century — Redoxon develops into an internationally recognized vitamin-C brand under Roche.

2004 — Roche announces the sale of its global Consumer Health business to Bayer.

2005 — Bayer completes the acquisition; Redoxon becomes part of Bayer’s Consumer Care portfolio.

2010s–2020s — The brand expands beyond basic vitamin C into combinations involving vitamin D, zinc, calcium, B6 and other nutrients.

2020s — Redoxon increasingly positions itself as an immunity and everyday-wellness brand, rather than simply a vitamin-C brand. Bayer says the brand now has more than 90 years of vitamin-C expertise.

Redoxon is historically important because it sits at the intersection of vitamin science, pharmaceutical manufacturing and consumer health.

Its importance isn’t simply that it is another vitamin-C supplement. Its history is connected to the transition from:

scientific discovery → synthetic vitamin production → mass-market supplementation

The commercialization of synthetic vitamin C made it possible to manufacture the nutrient at scale, and Redoxon became one of the commercial brands associated with that development.

That gives the brand a considerably longer scientific heritage than most contemporary dietary-supplement brands.

Redoxon is a Bayer-owned global consumer-health brand founded on the commercialization of synthetic vitamin C in 1934, which has evolved from a pioneering vitamin-C product into a broader range of vitamin and mineral supplements primarily positioned around immune support and everyday health.

1. Who We Are | Redoxon Singapore
2. Essential vitamins and minerals for immunity I Redoxon®
3. Redoxon® Vitamin C Effervescent Tablets Orange Flavor 1000mg | Redoxon
4. Redoxon® Double Action Adult Chewable | Redoxon®
5. #1 Vitamin Brand in Singapore | Redoxon®