This invention relates to certain complexes of ascorbic acid and its derivatives with certain natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ketones for topical or oral application; said complexes having general chemical formula (I), its isomers, and salts thereof, including their optically active or racemic forms. This invention also relates to a method of treatment of skin condition, including dark skin, age spots, acne, inflammation, loss of cellular antioxidants, collagen loss with aging, loss of skin pliability, loss of skin suppleness, skin wrinkles, oxidation, damage from radiation, malfunction of matrix metalloproteases, malfunction of tyrosinases, damage from free radicals, photo-damage, nutritional deficiency, and combinations thereof;