Deoxycholic acid (conjugate base deoxycholate), also known as cholanoic acid and 3α,12α-dihydroxy-5β-cholan-24-oic acid, is a bile acid.Deoxycholic acid is one of the secondary bile acids, which are metabolic byproducts of intestinal bacteria. The two primary bile acids secreted by the liver are cholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid. Bacteria metabolize chenodeoxycholic acid into the secondary bile acid lithocholic acid, and they metabolize cholic acid into deoxycholic acid. There are additional secondary bile acids, such as ursodeoxycholic acid. Deoxycholic acid is soluble in alcohol and acetic acid. When pure, it comes in a white to off-white crystalline powder form.

Function:
(1) It is effective in disrupting and dissociating many types of protein interaction
(2) An emerging use of sodium deoxycholate acid is as a biological detergent to lyse cells and solubilise cellular and membrane components.
(3) It is used in the preparation and formulation of certain microbiological diagnostic media.
(4) Useful for elution or regeneration of certain kinds of affinity columns.
 
Advantages of Deoxycholic acid used in cosmetic products
1. Selective effect on adipose tissue cells
2. Local action in administration sites
3. Pronounced lifting effect after the double chin reduction
4. Low risk of intoxication and good tolerability
5. High effectiveness at any age from 18 to 70 years
6. Preservation of effect for a long time without touch up treatments.