Alpha lipoic acid is useful in medicine, but in cosmetology? 

Why is alpha lipoic acid so beneficial?

Every object consists of atoms and molecules, including humans. In our body there are particles called “free radicals” - molecules that have free space for electrodes. They find a pair for them from their neighbors, injuring them and turning them into free radicals.

Aging, and especially premature aging, is the result of the activity of defective molecules. In search of a mate, they oxidize all layers of the epidermis, which leads to its withering. Antioxidants are substances designed to regulate the number of molecules and atoms with unpaired electrodes in the human body.

Alpha lipoic acid is the most unique antioxidant among its fellows. In cosmetology it is also known as “thioctic acid”. It has a number of advantages:

1. Alpha lipoic acid particles are the smallest among antioxidants.
2. Fat and water are acceptable mediums for dissolution. Most antioxidants enter into a chemical process only with fatty components.
3. Lipoic acid has the ability to self-regenerate, and also serves as a stimulator for the functioning of vitamins A and E, coenzyme Q10, and glutathione.
4. Acid can neutralize both nitrogen and oxygen radicals.
5. Stimulates the work of mitochondria - the organs of cells responsible for energy production.

Similar properties of alpha lipoic acid provide the following healing properties for the skin:

• saturates and regenerates every skin cell;
• forces cells to work actively, as a result, more collagen - longer youth;
• helps the absorption of vitamins and microelements;
• normalizes skin metabolic processes;
• increases the protective functions of the skin;
• normalizes the functioning of the sebaceous glands;
• tightens pores;
• improves blood and lymph circulation;
• has an anti-inflammatory effect;
• improves energy production, which is especially important for aging and aging skin.

Alpha lipoic acid is produced in small quantities by the human body. This advantage makes it easily digestible.

Reviews about the effectiveness of this drug

Oksana, 32 years old: “I tried to lose weight with a strict diet, I used Turboslim and dietary supplements from the company Evalar, but I didn’t even lose a kilogram. Now I regularly go to the gym. A friend advised me to take a dietary supplement that contains lipoic (thioctic) acid. I lost 6 kilos in a month.”

Anna, 42 years old: “I decided to lose weight, they advised ALC. I went to see a doctor, he prescribed the dosage of the drug. I take ALA, try to eat right (I don’t eat any fatty or fried foods), and go swimming. I lost 2 kg in a month.”

Lyudmila, 36 years old: “I take lipoic (thioctic) acid (from Solgar) in tablets and go in for sports. ALA helps get rid of fat deposits, the tablet is quickly absorbed into the body (15 minutes). But to obtain the desired result, you need to combine its use with physical activity. I got a good result, and in one course of taking the drug (a month) I lost 5.5 kg.”

All the subtleties of using ALA in cosmetology

Various types of acids are widely used in cosmetology. The first group performs the function of exfoliation. A chemical burn to the skin leads to severe peeling and renewal of the skin. The second one improves metabolism in skin cells, which helps improve its appearance, rejuvenation, smooth out wrinkles, and increase tone.

Lipoic acid belongs to the second group of acids. It is widely used in masks, exfoliants, scrubs, tonics, and sprays. ALA based cream is an excellent product for daily care. The acid is suitable for women of any age and with any skin type. This antioxidant has protective properties against UV radiation, and therefore is included in skin care products in the summer.

Due to the size of the molecules and their gentle effect on cells, cosmetics with ALA can be used for the area around the eyes. The ability of this antioxidant to normalize sebum production has made it an important component of cosmetics for problem skin.

Recommendations for using an antioxidant at home

Alpha lipoic acid is a rather capricious component that must be handled very carefully. There are 3 rules for its use in cosmetology:

1. Cosmetics containing ALA should be stored in a cool, dark place.
2. 50 degrees is the maximum heating temperature for the antioxidant.
3. Do not use in pure undiluted form, only as part of cosmetic products.

Basic rules for preparing facial cosmetics based on thioctic acid:

1. When preparing tonics and lotions for the face, first dissolve the acid in alcohol. The antioxidant is capable of reacting with water, but it is extremely difficult to do it correctly at home. Alcohol tonics and lotions are only suitable for ladies with oily and combination skin.
2. In order to dissolve ALA in the fat base, the oil must be heated to 40 degrees.
3. The concentration of ALA in the finished product should be up to 2% of the total mass.
4. When preparing face cream, first mix lipoic acid with the fatty component (oils).
5. Thioctic acid, of course, can be added to the finished face cream, but it must be used a maximum of 1 month in advance. Afterwards, there is a high probability that the alpha-lipoic acid molecules will simply disintegrate and the useful cream will turn into a pacifier. It is best to do all cosmetic products immediately before use, then we can say for sure that lipoic acid will have a beneficial effect on the skin of the face.
6. When adding an antioxidant to a ready-made (purchased) cream, the concentration should not exceed 1 mg per 50 mg.

Contraindications and side effects

Contraindications to the use of lipoic (thioctic) acid:

• children under 6 years of age (safety of use has not been proven);
• allergic reaction to the drug and its components;
• hypersensitivity to thioctic (lipoic) acid;
• pregnancy;
• breastfeeding period.

Possible side effects:

• pinpoint hemorrhages;
• platelet dysfunction;
• increased intracranial pressure;
• a sharp decrease in blood sugar levels;
• double vision;
• convulsions;
• nausea, feeling of heaviness in the abdomen;
• allergic reactions;
• heartburn.

Recipes for homemade cosmetic products for the face based on ALA

For oily and combination skin prone to redness and rashes

Mask. To prepare the mask we need: 1 ml of alpha-lipoic acid; 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon aloe juice, a couple drops of tea tree essential oil; 1 tablespoon honey. Mix lipoic acid with olive oil. Melt honey in a water bath, add essential oil, aloe juice, mix everything thoroughly and turn off. When the honey base has cooled to 37-40 degrees, add oil with lipoic acid. Such masks have an excellent healing and anti-inflammatory effect. Apply to skin for 15-20 minutes. Take a course of 10 masks every other day. Then repeat no more than 2 times a week.

Tonic. Mix 1 mg of lipoic acid with 1 tablespoon of medical alcohol. Prepare 100 milliliters of chamomile decoction, add 5 milliliters of aloe extract. Mix everything together. Store the tonic in the refrigerator for a maximum of 7 days. Wipe your skin with this product morning and evening, daily.

For dry skin

Mask. Mix alpha lipoic and ascorbic acid in a ratio of 1:9. Dissolve antioxidants in jojoba oil and mix thoroughly. Apply the finished mask to clean skin and leave for 15 minutes. You can use such masks once every three days.

Moisturizing anti-wrinkle serum . Mix 1 tablespoon of jojoba oil with the same amount of castor oil. Add 2 mg of lipoic acid and three drops of vitamin A and E to the oily base, let stand for 15 minutes. Then pour in 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Apply to skin for 10 minutes. These masks will moisturize, smooth out wrinkles, and help cope with age spots.

Cream. Take cosmetic Vaseline (30 grams) as a basis. Heat 10 grams of grape seed oil to 30 degrees, add 2 grams of ALA, 3 drops of liquid vitamin A and E. Mix all the ingredients together. Store the cream in the refrigerator. Apply to cleansed face and décolleté at night.

For normal skin

Mask . Mix 2 mg ALA with 1 tablespoon avocado oil, add 1 chicken yolk. Apply to skin for 15-20 minutes, then rinse with warm water.

Lotion . Mix 1 mg of alpha lipoic acid with 1 teaspoon of alcohol and 100 milliliters of rose water. Wipe your face no more than once a day, preferably in the evening.

Cream . Take baby cream (30 mg) as a base. Dissolve 2 mg of ALA in 10 mg of flaxseed oil, heated to 40 degrees. Mix the cream with the fat component. You can use the product daily, 1-2 times.

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Universal super-regenerating face mask

Mix 2 mg of alpha lipoic acid with 10 mg of panthenol, add 1 tablespoon of sea buckthorn oil. Apply to skin in the evening for 15 minutes. Masks will improve color, moisturize, heal wounds and cracks, and relieve inflammation.

Maxa for the skin around the eyes

Dissolve 1 mg of alpha-lipoic acid in sea buckthorn oil in a water bath. If it doesn't suit you, then use olive oil. Apply a thin layer to the skin around the eyes and leave for a maximum of 10 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with warm water.

Tips for use

1. "Tiogamma" can be used as an inexpensive facial serum.
2. First you need to cleanse your skin with micellar water and rinse your face thoroughly. The drug is removed with a syringe through a rubber stopper so as not to expose it to air again.
3. Apply the preparation to the skin using patting movements every day for a month. The liquid feels like slightly sticky water on the skin. After 2-3 days of use, feel the skin tightness, this is normal, the skin becomes toned and a kind of lifting is obtained. The face becomes fresh after the first use, and at the end of the course it becomes clear that the skin acquires a “porcelain” tint. Pores are reduced, wrinkles around the eyes and face become noticeably smaller.
4. At the end you can apply your cream that you use.

Contraindications to the use of lipoic acid

It is prohibited to use lipoic acid during pregnancy and lactation.

ALA is not prescribed to children, since there are no medical research results on the effect on their body.

It is worth considering that there is a possibility of hypersensitivity to alpha-lipoic acid, therefore all cosmetic products must first be tested on the wrist, and only then applied to the skin of the face.

It is necessary to use thioctic acid in moderation, therefore there is no need to exceed the stated doses and frequency of use of cosmetic products, in order to avoid chemical burns or other changes to the skin.

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Types of cosmetics and popular brands

Lipoic acid in cosmetics is designated as Alpha Lipoic Acid, Lipoic Acid, thioctic acid, Thioctic Acid, thioctacid, lipamide, vitamin N. Most products containing it are labeled “anti-age”, that is, they belong to anti-aging drugs:

• anti-aging creams, serum preparations and anti-wrinkle masks;
• Body Oil;
• moisturizing creams with antioxidant effect for daily use;
• creams for age spots;
• products for restoring the skin around the eyes;
• preparations to protect the skin from the sun, as well as to restore it after sunburn.

Alpha lipoic acid can be used in facial skin care by women of any age. It goes well with other components of cosmetics, so you can choose the best option for yourself - moisturizing, whitening, toning, nourishing, and so on.

The main brands in cosmetology offering products with ALA:

• Reviva Labs;
• Derma E;
• Arabia;
• Holy Land;
• Eldan Cosmetics;
• Aroma Naturals (for lovers of natural cosmetics).