---
title: "Randomized, placebo-controlled, double blind study on the…"
description: "A 5% alpha-lipoic acid cream significantly reduced skin roughness and improved other signs of photoageing on facial skin over 12 weeks."
url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s187.md"
canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s187.html"
html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s187.html"
type: "study"
study_key: "s187"
journal: "Br J Dermatol"
year: 2003
pmid: "14616378"
doi: "10.1046/j.1365-2133.2003.05597.x"
citations: 1
updated: 2026-09-02
author: "Gabriel Radu, DO"
author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765."
publisher: "Magellan Longevity"
content_format: "markdown"
---

# Randomized, placebo-controlled, double blind study on the clinical efficacy of a cream containing 5% alpha-lipoic acid related to photoageing of facial skin.

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## Citation

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Journal | Br J Dermatol |
| Year | 2003 |
| PMID | [14616378](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14616378/) |
| DOI | [10.1046/j.1365-2133.2003.05597.x](https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2133.2003.05597.x) |
| Study key | s187 |

## Takeaway

A 5% alpha-lipoic acid cream significantly reduced skin roughness and improved other signs of photoageing on facial skin over 12 weeks.

## The question

Does a cream containing 5% alpha-lipoic acid (LA) improve criteria associated with photoageing of facial skin compared to an identical cream without LA?

## Hypothesis

A cream containing 5% LA will show beneficial effects on photoageing skin.

## Methods

Thirty-three women, with a mean age of 54.4 years, participated in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study. For 12 weeks, half of each participant's face was treated twice daily with a 5% LA cream, and the other half with a control cream. Assessments included self-evaluation, clinical evaluation, photographic evaluation, and laser profilometry, with profilometry performed at the start and end of treatment.

## Results

All four assessment methods showed a statistically significant improvement on the LA-treated side of the face. Laser profilometry, the most objective method, showed an average decrease in skin roughness of 50.8% on the LA-treated side, compared to 40.7% on the placebo-treated side (P < 0.001).

## Conclusion

Treatment for 12 weeks with a cream containing 5% LA improves clinical characteristics related to photoageing of facial skin.

## Limitations

The abstract does not explicitly state limitations of the study.

## Verbatim from the abstract

> a cream containing alpha-lipoic acid improves clinical characteristics related to photoageing

## Decrease in Skin Roughness After 12 Weeks

| Measure | Decrease in Skin Roughness (%) |
| --- | --- |
| LA-treated side | 50.8 |
| Placebo-treated side | 40.7 |

*Laser profilometry showed a greater average decrease in skin roughness on the LA-treated side compared to the placebo-treated side.*

## Where this study is used on Magellan

This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions.

| Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Topical Alpha-Lipoic Acid Cream | Emerging evidence | [Topical Alpha-Lipoic Acid Cream](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/187.md) |

## Reference

1. **Randomized, placebo-controlled, double blind study on the clinical efficacy of a cream containing 5% alpha-lipoic acid related to photoageing of facial skin.**
   Br J Dermatol 2003 · [PMID 14616378](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14616378/) · [DOI 10.1046/j.1365-2133.2003.05597.x](https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2133.2003.05597.x)

   > a cream containing alpha-lipoic acid improves clinical characteristics related to photoageing

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## Related on Magellan Longevity

- [Topical Alpha-Lipoic Acid Cream](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/187.md) — product graded on this and related evidence
- [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html)
- [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md)

## Scope and disclosures

Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication.

Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases.

Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).