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 ophthalmic composition which comprises a combination oflipoic acid and taurine.
