Keep an eye out for this new anti-aging it ingredient.

So, are those benefits legit?

Should you use taurine in your skincare routine, and, if so, how?

group of pills on blue

Photo:Mensent Photography/Getty Images

We tapped Robyn Gmyrek, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City to answer those questionsand more.

Robyn Gmyrek, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City.

She specializes in cosmetic and general dermatology.

What is taurine?

Taurine is an amino acid, and, quick reminder, amino acids are the building blocks of protein.

Theres taurine found in our skin, too.

What can taurine do for the skin?

To the point of it being important for moisture, Taurine can help with rehydration and decrease water loss.

It can also act as an antioxidant and is anti-inflammatory, says Dr. Gmyrek.

Plus, its also worth noting that our natural taurine levels decrease with age, she notes.

Sounds like its a no-brainer to add to your anti-aging skincare line-up, right?

Kind of, but theres one big caveat.

There are very limited studies looking at topical taurine, she cautions.

(Anti-aging benefits aside, theres also some dataand Reddit threadsclaiming that topical taurine can help with acne.)

Oral taurine is a thing, too.

How to use taurine in your skin care routine

Okay, so should you consider using taurine?

In short, it cant hurt.

Your best bet: Look for it in formulas where its combined with other, more proven effective ingredients.