Type of ingredient
Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory
Commonly found in
Serums, creams, gels
What are the benefits of Alpha Lipoic Acid?
Alpha lipoic acid has been shown in studies to have good skin penetration. Believed to be a coenzyme in metabolic pathways, it has been shown to protect the skin from oxidative damage, ultimately reducing photodamage in the skin and decreasing skin roughness.
What is Alpha Lipoic Acid?
Alpha lipoic acid, the reduced form of dihydrolipoate, is a free-radical scavenger of multiple oxygen and nitrogen species. As such, it modulates inflammatory responses through its ability to penetrate the skin and exist in other organic compounds, such as certain cosmetic products.
Is Alpha Lipoic Acid safe for all skin types and tones?
Alpha lipoic acid is likely safe for all skin types and tones based on available data. It should be used by patients with photodamage for its antioxidant effects. However, patients with sensitization to cosmetic products or other contact allergies may need to be cautious of this product.
Contraindications:
There is minimal data on contraindications for the topical application of alpha lipoic acid, though there is some data on adverse effects in oral supplementation. Although rare, there are reports of contact dermatitis reactions to alpha lipoic acid.
Sources:
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. Br J Dermatol. 2003;149(4):841-849. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2133.2003.05597.x
de Bengy AF, Decorps J, Martin LS, et al. Alpha-Lipoic Acid Supplementation Restores Early Age-Related Sensory and Endothelial Dysfunction in the Skin. Biomedicines. 2022;10(11):2887. Published 2022 Nov 10. doi:10.3390/biomedicines10112887
Gatti M, Ippoliti I, Poluzzi E, et al. Assessment of adverse reactions to α-lipoic acid containing dietary supplements through spontaneous reporting systems. Clin Nutr. 2021;40(3):1176-1185. doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2020.07.028
Leysen J, Aerts O. Further evidence of thioctic acid (α-lipoic acid) being a strong cosmetic sensitizer. Contact Dermatitis. 2016;74(3):182-184. doi:10.1111/cod.12472
Author
Nishad Sathe, MD
Nishad Sathe is a PGY-3 Internal Medicine/Dermatology resident at the University of Minnesota
