Ingredients

Alpha-Lipoic Acid

Written by Reviewed by the SYNC editorial team Published Last reviewed Editorial standards

Alpha-Lipoic Acid — a naturally occurring compound that functions as an antioxidant and is soluble in both water and oil, allowing it to work across different environments in the skin. In skincare it is used to help combat oxidative stress and improve the appearance of texture and tone.

Key points

  • Its dual water- and oil-solubility lets it function throughout skin's varied environments, which is unusual among antioxidants.
  • It can help regenerate other antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, extending their activity.
  • It has been studied for improving the appearance of fine lines, roughness, and overall skin texture.
  • It can be potent, so lower concentrations and patch testing are advisable for sensitive skin to avoid a tingling or stinging sensation.

Frequently asked

What is alpha-lipoic acid used for in skincare?

It is used as an antioxidant to help reduce the visible effects of oxidative stress and improve the appearance of skin texture and tone.

Is alpha-lipoic acid safe to use daily?

Many people tolerate it well, but because it can be potent, start with lower concentrations and patch test, especially if your skin is sensitive.

Related topics

This is a foundational entry in the SYNC Skin Encyclopedia and is expanded over time. Educational information only — not medical advice.

Encyclopedia

Further reading

This entry was written and checked against the sources below. They are published by clinical and scientific bodies, they are listed most readable first, and each one opens in a new tab. They are background for the whole entry rather than footnotes to individual sentences.

  1. Herbs and Supplements: MedlinePlus MedlinePlus Clinical guidance medlineplus.gov
  2. Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidative Effects of Alpha Lipoic Acid PubMed Central Peer-reviewed, open access pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. Safety Evaluation of α-Lipoic Acid Supplementation PubMed Central Peer-reviewed, open access pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. Activity of alpha-lipoic acid in the protection against oxidative stress in skin PubMed Peer-reviewed (abstract) pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  5. Alpha-lipoic acid is ineffective as a topical antioxidant for photoprotection of skin PubMed Peer-reviewed (abstract) pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

SYNC does not publish medical advice. Nothing here replaces a consultation with a doctor or a pharmacist about your own skin.