A skin-care ingredient called adenosine triphosphate, or ATP, is being dubbed “an energy drink for the skin,” but, it’s still largely under the radar. Here’s what to know, and how it can kick-start your routine.
Featured Experts
- Yannis Alexandrides, MD, a board-certified plastic surgeon based in London, and founder of 111SKIN
- Krupa Koestline, a cosmetic chemist and founder of KKT Innovation Labs
- Nerida Joy, a celebrity aesthetician and skin-care expert
What Is ATP?
“Adenosine triphosphate is a molecule found in all living cells. It is often referred to as the ‘energy currency’ of the cell,” explains cosmetic chemist Krupa Koestline. “It plays a vital role in various biological processes, including cellular metabolism and energy transfer.” Celebrity aesthetician Nerida Joy adds that ATP is the most abundant energy molecule in the human body. “It’s the powerhouse of our cells for transportation of healthy energy to vital organs, such as the brain and heart.” Not only is the ingredient being used in skin care, but it can also be found in health and fitness supplements.
How It Works In Skin Care
In the context of skin care, ATP is used to enhance skin vitality and promote cellular functions. It’s especially great for dull, tired skin. Predominantly sourced from yeast, which is abundant in B vitamins, ATP gives healthy energy to our cells, Joy says. “B vitamins provide the most energy in cell metabolism. A healthy ATP molecule is able to fully rebuild within 10 minutes, which allows tremendous support to our cells’ mitochondria.”
London plastic surgeon and founder of 111SKIN, Yannis Alexandrides, MD says that when ATP is applied to the skin, it can be absorbed by the skin cells. “Once inside the cells, ATP undergoes a process called hydrolysis, where it is broken down into adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and inorganic phosphate,” he explains. “This breakdown releases energy that can be utilized by the cells to fuel essential metabolic processes, such as protein synthesis, cell repair and collagen production.” This translates to overall skin rejuvenation, including fewer lines and wrinkles, and a healthier, more youthful look.
Who It’s Best For
Our experts agree that all skin types will benefit from using ATP. But, it’s important to note that no skin-care formula contains only ATP on its own (not right now anyway). There may be another active in the mix that poses an issue for certain skin types, so check the label before experimenting with something new. “The quality of ingredients and their synergy is what can make a delivery system effective and safe,” says Joy. Dr. Yannis echoes this, adding that “individuals with extremely sensitive or reactive skin should exercise caution when using ATP-based products.”
The Scientific Evidence Behind It
Based on scientific, peer-reviewed journals, Koestline says ATP has proven to be beneficial for the skin. “It has shown to stimulate keratinocyte differentiation and activation of protein and cell-signaling pathways. This links ATP to increasing cellular energy, even with topical application,” she explains. “ATP has also shown to increase skin permeability, therefore allowing lower molecular weight actives to penetrate the stratum corneum better. And lastly, it has shown to increase cell viability, proliferation and migration, which suggests an important role in skin rejuvenation.” Dr. Yannis adds, “As more research and evidence supporting the benefits of ATP in skin care accumulate, we can expect to see its increased usage and recognition in the future.”
5 Skin-Care Products to Try
Like many other skin-care ingredients, including vitamin C, ATP is unstable and can easily degrade when it is exposed to light and air, says Koestline. Keep this in mind when storing and using your products to maintain maximum efficacy. These are five effective formulas infused with ATP that help energize a daily skin-care regimen for big-time benefits.
