ASPARTIC ACID

📋 Quick facts

Description: ASPARTIC ACID — amino acid, part of the skin natural moisturizing factor (NMF).

All Functions: amino acid, part of the skin natural moisturizing factor (NMF)

Quick Facts:

• Category: humectant

Proven Benefits At A Glance:

• Aspartic acid is a non-essential amino acid your body naturally makes
• A modified form called acetyl aspartic acid (A-A-A) has been studied in skincare
• Research shows A-A-A can penetrate into deeper skin layers when applied topically
• A-A-A may support skin firmness and collagen production according to clinical studies
• Aspartic acid serves roles in skin cell turnover and moisture retention

⚗️ Chemical Overview

Aspartic acid is an alpha-amino acid that consists of succinic acid bearing a single alpha-amino substituent. It has a role as a fundamental metabolite. It is a polar amino acid, an alpha-amino acid and a C4-dicarboxylic acid. It contains a carboxymethyl group. It is a conjugate acid of an aspartate and an aspartate(1-). DL-aspartic acid has been reported in Homo sapiens, Pisum sativum, and other organisms with data available. See also: L-Aspartic Acid (annotation moved to).

Source(s): PubChem, ChEBI, LOTUS – the natural products occurrence database, via PubChem

📊 Comedogenicity

🛡️ Safety rating

Safety tier is a starting heuristic from regulatory status and comedogenic rating, not a dermatological verdict — see our Terms for the full disclaimer. Research confidence reflects how many real cited studies back this ingredient, not the strength of their findings.

🌍 Regulatory Status

💧 Skin Type Compatibility

⚠️ Don’t Combine With

📚 Research & Evidence

🔬 The Science

Aspartic acid is a non-essential amino acid naturally synthesized in the body with health significance, including potential use as a biomarker for certain health conditions (Biosensors (Basel), 2023). In skincare research, a derivative form called acetyl aspartic acid (A-A-A) has received the most attention. #1: Skin penetration and delivery — Studies using both laboratory skin samples and human volunteers confirmed that A-A-A successfully penetrates topical formulations and reaches both the epidermis (outer layer) and dermis (deeper layer) after application (Int J Cosmet Sci, 2015). This deep penetration is important because it allows the ingredient to work on multiple skin layers.

#2: Support for skin structure proteins — In a 12-day clinical study on photodamaged skin in women over 55, topical application of 1% A-A-A significantly increased collagen IV (a structural protein) by 13% and fibrillin-1 by 6% compared to untreated skin (Int J Cosmet Sci, 2015). #3: Skin firmness — After 28 days of use, 1% A-A-A reduced a measured parameter of skin firmness (F4) by 15.8%, which was comparable to 0.1% retinol at 14.7% reduction; notably, A-A-A showed a significant effect versus untreated skin while retinol did not in this particular pilot study (Int J Cosmet Sci, 2015). #4: Cellular effects — Laboratory research found that A-A-A increased keratinocyte (skin cell) regeneration, inhibited expression of matrix metalloproteinase (an enzyme that breaks down skin structure), and reduced fibroblast stiffness markers (Int J Cosmet Sci, 2015).

#5: Natural skin processes — Aspartic acid enzymes (specifically skin aspartic acid protease) play a natural role in filaggrin processing during skin cell maturation, contributing to the skin’s natural moisturizing factor production (PLoS One, 2020). Important limitations: The robust skincare evidence exists only for acetyl aspartic acid, not plain aspartic acid. Most clinical studies involved small groups (16 women per study) and relatively short timeframes (12–28 days). The sources do not provide information on optimal concentrations, long-term safety, or how A-A-A compares to many other anti-aging ingredients.

📄 Related Research

Matched by search — not necessarily verified support for every statement above.

• Kuang R et al. (2024). Chiral electrochemiluminescence for simultaneous enantiomeric detection of aspartic acid and phenylalanine. Anal Methods.
• Alfaifi SY et al. (2023). Sensitive and Rapid Detection of Aspartic Acid with Co(3)O(4)-ZnO Nanorods Using Differential Pulse Voltammetry. Biosensors (Basel).
• Gillbro JM et al. (2015). In vivo topical application of acetyl aspartic acid increases fibrillin-1 and collagen IV deposition leading to a significant improvement of skin firmness. Int J Cosmet Sci.
• Donovan M et al. (2020). Filaggrin and filaggrin 2 processing are linked together through skin aspartic acid protease activation. PLoS One.
• Duracher L et al. (2015). In vitro and in vivo dermal absorption assessment of acetyl aspartic acid: a compartmental study. Int J Cosmet Sci.

🧴 Products Containing ASPARTIC ACID

• Dm Leichtkämm spray
• RETINOL RETINOL SKIN CREAM
• MyProtein Hair & body wash
• Bioélixire Odżywka do włosów zniszczonych
• Tío Nacho Tío Nacho Anti-Caida Engrosador
• Yves Rocher Masque minute éclat Calendula
• Pacifica Cosmic Hemp Balancing Face Wash
• NIOD Multi-Molecular Hyaluronic Complex (MMHC2)
• The Ordinary The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution (Solução tonificante de ácido glicólico 7%)
• ordinary suncream
• dr groot shampoo
• Power Stick for Her
• Paul Mitchell Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Shampoo
• collagen face mask
• OPLAPLEX Leave In – Numéro 5
• Sephora Beauty insider
• Olaplex No. 8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask
• FILORGA TIME-FILLER Crème Absolue Correction Rides
• Actiforce Fortifying care mask
• CeraVe Hydrating cream-to-foam cleanser
• Filorga Filorga Hydra Filler 50ML
• Garnier miel mask
• CeraVe Hyrdrating Cream To Foam Cleanser
• Davines Davines MOMO Moisturizing Shampoo
• Moroccan oil body lotion
• Sun Ozon Sunclean Sonnenmilch LSF 30
• Kruidvat Solait 50+ kids
• Atomy Atomy absolute BB no.23 spf 50
• Essano expertise 02 Volumising Conditioner
• Asianic Hair Conditioner
• Dessange Shampooing déjaunisseur Âge Sublime Blanc Chic
• averac caviar
• The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
• sirius groom shampoo
• LOLA COSMETICS LOLA VINTAGE GIRLS