Amino Acids
INCI: alanine
Reviewed by Emma · Last updated 18 Aug 2026
Also known as: alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, cystine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine, valine
Fundamental constituents of all proteins found in the body In skin care products, amino acids act as water-binding agents
EWG Safety Score
What Is Amino Acids?
Amino acids are the fundamental constituents of all proteins found in the body, such as: alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, cystine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine and valine. Some of these amino acids can be synthesized by the body; others (known as essential amino acids) must be obtained from protein in the diet.
In skin care products, amino acids act as water-binding agents, and some have antioxidant properties. Amino acids can be combined with other ingredients that have skin-restorative ability to work in unison to fight signs of ageing.
Note: Research has shown amino acids for skin work best when several of them are combined. For this reason, we rate the amino acids as a group more highly than some individual amino acids. Although some individual amino acids have distinctive benefits compared to others, you would be selling your skin short if you only focused on one particular amino acid.
Clinical Evidence & References
Published Research
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Role of amino acids in skin health and care Nutrients, 2011
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Amino acid-based cosmetics for skin improvement Molecules, 2019
Frequently Asked Questions
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