On top of having anti-inflammatory properties, lipoic acid is also an antioxidant where it was found to regenerate other damaging antioxidants earning its name as the universal antioxidant. This naturally occurring enzyme can be found in both plants and animals as a bi-product of photosynthetic activity and in foods such as spinach, however only in tiny quantities.
Where does it come from?
Lipoic acid is vital specially in neutralizing the damage caused by free radicals from chemical by-products as this can interfere with our body’s function. Since our body naturally produces a small amount of it, supplementing this will give you an optimal level where your body can function well. There is a synthetic version of this enzymatic antioxidant called alpha-lipoic-acid that is now very popular with skincare products.
Unlike previous products containing only vitamins c and e which acts as skin enhancers, consumers today favor skincare products with lipoic acid because it is four hundred times more soluble in water and in fats. This means that it can penetrate both the skin’s outer surface and the inner membrane which is considered as the enzyme’s most important characteristic.
Benefits
Using skincare products with lipoic acid has several benefits. Aging and inflammation of the skin can be prevented as if facilitates energy production in the skin which in turn rejuvenates other antioxidants. Energy production will depend from person to person but the general principle is that the higher the energy level produced, the more youthful the skin is.
It prevents free radicals from entering the plasma membrane of the polyunsaturated fats that could lead to the formation of oxidized fats called lipid peroxides which causes damage to your DNA. Since it is soluble in fat and can easily penetrate your skin, free radicals is suppressed from reacting with the polyunsaturated fats which is responsible for making your skin young looking.
Lipoic acid exfoliates your skin as it naturally removes dead skin giving you a smooth and gentle skin. The natural peeling of the skin will reduce skin lines and wrinkles in your face. It also regulates the production of oil glands giving your skin the right amount of oil as too much skin oil can clog your skin pores. Not only that it prevents pore clogging, it also minimizes the size of your skin pore which creates a firm and more enhanced skin color.
Side Effects
Although the benefits of lipoic acid are more favorable, there are some minor side effects that you should note. If you happen to use a skincare product with a 5% or greater concentration of lipoic acid, this will create a burning or stinging sensation which can cause mild rashes on your skin. If you are using the tablet form, the recommended dosage for lipoic acid is 300 milligrams per day.
If you want to apply it topically on your skin, you can choose various lotions and creams(eczema picks reviews) available in the market in the form of face finishing moisturizer, antioxidant body moisturizer or a rejuvenating day cream. Most of these products are combined with vitamin C, vitamin E and neurochemicals that gives you a soft yet firm skin. But before you choose the right product, we recommend consulting your doctor before buying one.
