What so special about alpha lipoic acid?
It’s an interesting story. Allow me to tell to you.
Once upon a time, cosmetics were cosmetics. Cold creams, makeup, etc. But one enterprising doctor discovered the usefulness of science as an advertising tool and, perhaps, a useful nutritional ingredient to sneak into makeup (“sneak” because the FDA doesn’t like that certain “cosmetics” can change skin physiology). And, voila, with the addition of alpha-lipoic acid to skincare products, cosmeceuticals were born,
It’s a useful story. Having found that alpha-lipoic acid was easy to introduce in skincare products, the flood of science into the skincare industry was open. Some additions were helpful, others not so much.
What can I tell you about alpha-lipoic acid? It is a good active but not essential: it’s not a vitamin, and as an antioxidant, it’s not that special or unique. I would say that the main reason was it’s “famous” it’s because it was one of the first chemicals with a biological function to make it into skincare products.
From my glossary
Natural chemical, energy production.
Synonyms: R-α-Lipoic acid (alpha lipoic acid); Thioctic acid; 6,8-Dithiooctanoic acid
Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) is good and essential for cell function, but not essential in the nutritional sense because our bodies make it. Older skin may be “starved” of this very important antioxidant and cofactor.
Lipoic acid, a naturally occurring dithiol complex, is the prosthetic (i.e. non-proteic) group of several enzymes, including the transacetylase part of the enzyme complex that catalyzes the decarboxylation of pyruvate so that the remaining 2-carbon group can enter the Krebs cycle. Aside from its fundamental role in enzyme function, in vitro and in vivo studies suggest that ALA also acts as a powerful micronutrient with diverse pharmacological and antioxidant properties. ALA is quickly trapped (“sequestered”) by cellular membranes, so it does not get far. If you want to protect yourself more effectively, try our lipophilic antioxidant mix containing lipoic acid, astaxanthin, vitamin E, tocotrienol, and tetrahydrocurcuminoids.
Where in Skin Actives will you find alpha-lipoic acid?
Skin Brightening cream and many more.
Claims on this page have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent any disease.