Asiatic Acid

Best

Antioxidant

Asiatic Acid at a glance

  • Potent antioxidant found naturally in many plants, including Centella asiatica
  • Helps offset triggers of sun damage and aging skin
  • Delivers significant soothing properties
  • Works best when penetration-enhancing delivery systems are utilized to improve the permeability

Asiatic Acid description

Asiatic acid is a potent antioxidant that is found naturally in many plants, including _Centella asiatica_, _Actinidia arguta,_ _Maytenus procumbens,_ and _Psidium guajava_. It’s used in skin care to help inhibit triggers of sun damage and aging skin. More specifically, studies demonstrate asiatic acid’s potential for reducing glycative activity (one of the causes of aging skin). This ingredient works along various pathways of skin, which equates to multitasking benefits, including soothing. Certain researchers point out asiatic acid has low bioavailability due to poor solubility in solution. This limits its practical use in topical products. However, cosmetic chemists can work around this by utilizing penetration-enhancing delivery systems to improve the permeability and affinity for skin. A derivative of asiatic acid known as AAGS (asiatic acid and glucosamine) can also be used to deliver these benefits. Asiatic acid presents as a white powder in its raw material form. Recommend usage levels vary by supplier, typically ranging between 0.01-0.5%. In addition to its cosmetic benefits for skin, asiatic acid has been extensively studied for its medicinal uses and oral applications.

Asiatic Acid references

  • UL Prospector (supplier info), Accessed December 2022, ePublication
  • Pharmaceutics, November 2022, pages 1-18
  • Nutrients, June 2021, pages 1-16
  • Complementary and Alternative Therapies in Cosmetics and Dermatology, November 2021, ePublication
  • Photochemistry and Photobiology, January/February 2020, pages 124-138
  • Frontiers in Pharmacology, September 2018, ePublication
  • BioMedicine, August 2014, ePublication

Peer-reviewed, substantiated scientific research is used to assess ingredients in this dictionary. Regulations regarding constraints, permitted concentration levels and availability vary by country and region.

Ingredient ratings

Best

Proven and supported by independent studies. Outstanding active ingredient for most skin types or concerns.

Good

Necessary to improve a formula's texture, stability, or penetration.

Average

Generally non-irritating but may have aesthetic, stability, or other issues that limit its usefulness.

Bad

There is a likelihood of irritation. Risk increases when combined with other problematic ingredients.

Worst

May cause irritation, inflammation, dryness, etc. May offer benefit in some capability but overall, proven to do more harm than good.

unknown

We couldn't find this in our ingredient dictionary. We log all missing ingredients and make continuous updates.

Not rated

We have not yet rated this ingredient because we have not had a chance to review the research on it.