Aspartic Acid

A humectant moisturizing amino acid that is a part of the skin's Natural Moisturizing Factor. It helps to retain water on the skin’s surface and is slightly acidic, thereby helping to balance the pH of a skincare product.
Moisturizing
Other functions
Origin
Aspartic Acid

Overview

Aspartic acid is a non-essential amino acid. Amino acids are the building blocks of all proteins in our body.

In skincare, aspartic acid (or its ionized form, aspartate) is used as a humectant moisturizing ingredient due to its ability to retain water.

Aspartic acid, as the name suggests, is mildly acidic, which makes it useful as a pH adjuster towards slightly acidic pH, similar to the pH of the skin. The proper pH also protects the product from degradation and oxidation.

Science

1
Oshimura, E., & Sakamoto, K. (2017). Amino Acids, Peptides, and Proteins. Cosmetic Science and Technology, 285–303.