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The ingredient, explained

Thioctic Acid

A primary study examines this ingredient in the specified preparation and setting.

Antioxidant
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Ingredient guide

What it is and what it does

1‚2-Dithiolane-3-pentanoic acid, -+/---

About this ingredient: EU CosIng ingredient registry (via Open Beauty Facts taxonomy) ↗

Antioxidant
Limits oxidation, including deterioration of formulation ingredients. This label alone does not show a clinical antioxidant effect in skin.

Function definitions: European Commission ingredient function definitions (SCCNFP/0299/00, pages 16 to 20) ↗

Registry functions describe possible formulation roles, not results for a finished product. A dictionary entry is not an approval or a safety assessment.

A closer look

What the research shows

Human topical research

Split-face trial found greater improvement in photoaging measurements with 5% alpha-lipoic acid than identical cream without it.

What this does not tell us

Small study of women; both sides improved. Exact formulation and concentration limit transfer.

Sources for this summary. PubMed 14616378 ↗

Research review checked Oct 1, 2026

Bounded review of local candidates, exact-name indexed primary journal/PubMed safety and topical searches; not a systematic review.

Ingredient research is not proof that a product containing this ingredient works.

Read the 1 selected study

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Products containing this ingredient

All 10 products ↗

From the wider catalogue. Linked by the ingredient list, without an efficacy ranking.

Names and identifiers

Registry identity

1‚2-Dithiolane-3-pentanoic acid, -+/---

INCI name on ingredient lists
THIOCTIC ACID
CAS registry number
1077-28-7
EC number
214-071-2

Sources for this ingredient record