Can Taurine Slow Down Skin Ageing? Here’s What Derms Have to Say

If you haven’t heard of taurine in skincare yet, mark our words; you will soon. More on what it is (and what it can do) in a bit, but in short, it’s an ingredient found naturally in our bodies and used both topically and orally.

The claims behind it are impressive: from its ability to prevent moisture loss to its anti-inflammatory properties, it’s a theoretical anti-ageing home run. So, are these benefits legitimate? Should you use taurine in skincare, and if so, how? We turned to Robin Gmyrek, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, to answer these questions and more.

Taurine is an amino acid, and as a prompt, amino acids are the building blocks of protein. It is naturally found in our bodies, but we also get it through food, Dr Gmirek points out, with animal proteins as the primary sources.

Taurine is also found in our skin. Specifically, “taurine is primarily found in the epidermis, where it is involved in controlling the skin’s moisture content,” Dr Gmyrek explains.

As for how important it is for hydration, “taurine can help with rehydration and reduce water loss. It can also act as an antioxidant and have anti-inflammatory effects,” Dr Gmyrek says. All of these things are a massive boon for ageing skin. Which naturally becomes drier with age and is also more susceptible to inflammation and free radical damage.

It’s also worth noting that our natural levels of decline as we age, he points out. Seems like a no-brainer to add this to your anti-ageing skincare lineup, right? Kind of, but there’s a big caveat. “There are very few studies looking at topical taurine,” he cautions. It has been shown in vitro to help increase hydration and the production of ceramides and hyaluronic acid—two other essential ingredients for healthy, youthful skin.

But there’s still not enough data to back it up, unlike other, more proven anti-ageing topics like retinoids or glycolic acid. (Aside from the anti-ageing benefits, there’s also some evidence—and discussions on Reddit—that topical taurine can help with acne.)

We’re talking about topical taurine, but it’s worth mentioning that oral taurine can also benefit the skin. For example. Dr Gmyrek notes that it has been shown to reduce UV-induced wrinkle formation—although that study was conducted in mice, not humans.

(And while it’s not directly intended for skincare, she notes you’re also likely to find in many pre-workout and energy supplements, given that it can slow muscle fatigue.)

Okay, so should you consider using taurine? In short, it won’t hurt. According to Dr Gmyrek. This ingredient has no known side effects, even when taken orally, and no ingredients are known to mix poorly.

Your best bet: Look for it in formulas combined with other more effective ingredients proven to work. Dr Gmyrek urges that it will likely work especially synergistically when combined with a humectant ingredient like glycerin. Given its ability to help prevent moisture loss.