Abstract: The present invention relates to a combination of lipoic acid and taurine for use as an osmoprotective agent for the prevention and treatment of ailments of the skin and of the mucous membranes associated with osmotic imbalance. It also relates to a method for preventing and treating ailments of the skin and of the mucous membranes associated with osmotic imbalance, in which an appropriate amount of a combination of lipoic acid and taurine is applied to the skin or the mucous membranes of a patient who is in need thereof. The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical or cosmetic composition suitable for topical application or an oph-thalmic composition which comprises a combination oflipoic acid and taurine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ophthalmic composition in the form of an oil-in-water emulsion comprising a mucomimetic polymer and lipoic acid as emulsion stabilizer. It also relates to a process for stabilizing emulsions with lipoic acid and to the use of this acid for stabilizing the oil-in-water emulsions comprising a mucomimetic polymer.