Ingredients Antioxidant Alpha-Lipoic Acid
106Lp
Tier · Moderate evidence
Antioxidant · Anti-aging

Alpha-Lipoic Acid

INCI: Thioctic Acid · Also called: ALA, Thioctic Acid

A "universal antioxidant" that protects both the oily and watery parts of your skin. It's unique because it can recycle your Vitamin C and E, making them last longer. It also prevents "sugar-sag" (glycation) and reduces fine lines.

For your skin

A "universal antioxidant" that protects both the oily and watery parts of your skin. It's unique because it can recycle your Vitamin C and E, making them last longer. It also prevents "sugar-sag" (glycation) and reduces fine lines.

Want the science? Keep reading ↓

Mechanism of action

Potent universal antioxidant (both lipid- and water-soluble) that recycles other antioxidants like Vitamin C and E. It inhibits the activation of NF-kB, reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines, and prevents the glycation of collagen fibers (AGEs) that causes skin stiffness and yellowing.

Why we tier this moderate

1 cited paper across 1 country. The mechanism is well-described and there's at least one controlled trial in the literature, but we tier this Moderate rather than Strong to stay honest about how many specific papers we cite directly.

1
United States

Cited research

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Beitner H, Randomized, placebo-controlled, double blind study on the clinical efficacy of a cream containing 5% alpha-lipoic acid related to photoageing of facial skin, British Journal of Dermatology 2003;149(4):841-9

2003Positive — efficacyPMID:14616378View source ↗

Sources: PubMed · KCI · J-Stage · CNKI · Wanfang · SFD · MFDS · Cochrane · SCCS · CIR. Every entry points to a specific document. See methodology for what each outcome label means.