* An antioxidant

* Also known as Alpha Lipoic Acid

* Please read TIA's post on What Is It: Alpha Lipoic Acid

Functions:

Thioctic Acid is an antioxidant used in cosmetics, personal care formulas, and anti-aging products because of its ability to scavenge free-radicals which lead to premature aging and wrinkling. According to dermaxime.com, Thioctic Acid is "readily transported through cellular membranes and helps to recycle other antioxidants - when vitamin E for instance quenches lipid peroxidation, and a vitamin E radical is formed, alpha lipoic acid will reduce it back to the active state of vitamin E. The same reaction occurs in the presence of the anti-oxidant, vitamin C." By containing free radicals, less oxidative damage is done, and aging can be prevented at the cellular level. Thioctic Acid is also thought to serve as an anti-inflammatory by preventing the activation of NFk-B and cytokines from forming.

Thioctic Acid is considered a ''non-vitamin" nutrient that is essential to life; it is both fat and water-soluble and therefore is easily absorbed and transported across cell membranes. It is also known to boost glutathione (a peptide) levels in cells (vitamins-supplements.org).

According to a study published in the British Journal of Dermatology, 33 middle-aged women were treated twice daily, using a 5% Alpha Lipoic Acid (Thiotic Acid) on half of their face, and a control cream on the other half. After 12 weeks, the study found that skin quality improved by about 50% in regards to smoothness and wrinkle reduction.

Thioctic Acid's properties were found in the 1970s when intravenous Thioctic Acid was given to 79 people with acute and severe liver damage at various medical centers across the United States and 75 recovered full liver function (Wikipedia).

Safety Measures/Side Effects:

Thioctic Acid is considered a low hazard ingredient by the Cosmetics Database, which only notes slight concerns regarding organ system toxicity. No other studies were found that reported negative side effects after using solutions containing this ingredient, when used as directed.

Recommended Products w/ Thioctic Acid:

Perricone MD Face Finishing Moisturizer, Juice Beauty Green Apple SPF 20 Antioxidant Body Moisturizer, Juice Organics Brightening Facial Serum, Dermaxime Rejuvenating Day Cream, PRESCRIBEDsolutions Brightening Boosters, Juice Beauty Antioxidant Serum