Alanine is an amino acid permanently produced in the human body. It is included in beauty formulations as an effective skin humectant.
Amino acids
Amino acids are organic compounds produced from the amine and carboxylic acid functional group. The key elements of amino acids are carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen. There are about 500 amino acids that can be classified in six main ways -- The Aliphatic, Hydroxyl, Cyclic, Aromatic, Basic, and Acidic plus their amide. Further, other non-protein amino acids act as metabolic intermediates.
Amino acids have not only found their uses in human nutrition but also in the cosmetic industry. In human nutrition, amino acids are used to synthesize proteins and additional biomolecules thus they are vastly found in the human body. These compounds are the building blocks our organism uses to build its proteins, enzymes, and peptides.
Famous skin proteins collagen, elastin, and keratin are also made of amino acids. In addition, they are oxidized to urea and carbon dioxide to generate energy.
However, the function of amino acids is not limited to just being building material for dermal proteins. They are also involved in regulating a large number of processes associated with skin healing, moisture retention (NMFs), and protection from UV irradiation. Due to their comprehensive beneficial features, safety, and insensibility, amino acids are common ingredients in many beauty concoctions.
Aluminum salts owe their antiperspirant efficacy to their astringent, antiseptic, and antiperspirant powers but can be irritants.
Mild cleaning amino acid agent; cleans in a mild, gentle, skin-friendly way and leaves the skin feeling silky and pleasant.
Aminodermin CLR is a sulfurous amino acid concentrate, a water-soluble sebaceous modulator for skin and hair care applications. It improves the structural properties of greasy skin as well as damaged and greasy hair.
Apricot Kernel Amino Acids is an active fruit amino acid complex derived from the complete hydrolization of the protein found in the apricot (Prunus Armeniaca) kernel. It is an all-natural moisturizer with an exotic appeal. It is known under the trade name Hydroapricot AA.
Arginine is an amino acid found in red algae, buckwheat, and human skin. Arginine supports the regeneration of the skin's moisture-binding system and has a relaxing effect on the skin.
A amino acid derived from beets that increases hydration and offers skin protection. Improves mitochondrial activity and balances moisture, reduces skin irritation.
Capryloyl glycine is an amide of Glycine (amino acid) and Caprylic acid (a fatty acid that contains eight carbon atoms in the chain). It's a member of the N-acyl glycines family, normally occurring in human tissues, so it's a safe component for skin care formulations.
Carnitine Isomerized Linoleate is a conjugate of L-Carnitine with linoleic acid, a lipolytic, energizing, and anti-cellulite ingredient. This slimming agent delivers a notable reduction of body fat and the development of thin mass.
Amino acids have been widely used in cosmetics, primarily in hair care preparations, where they have been touted for their ability to restore “life” to thinning hair, helping to increase volume and fullness.
Creatine is an amino acid derivative (non-proteinogenic amino acid) found naturally in the skin. It acts as an energy reservoir essential for the energy supply and function of the cells, participating in ATP production, which is a universal fuel molecule.
Dihydroxyphenyl Benzimidazole Carboxylic Acid is a functional ingredient with anti-pollution, anti-oxidant, anti-aging, and sun filter booster activity. It can compensate for damaging factors involved in environmental pollution.
Disodium EDTA (Edetate disodium) is a sodium salt of a water-solvable amino acid that stabilizes emulsions and increases formulations' shelf-life, preventing reactions between ingredients. It is also a strong anionic chelating agent that binds metal ions (cations) like Calcium, Nickel, Chromium, Iron, and etc., from the outer layer of the skin.
Ectoin supports the moisture-binding capacity of the skin, has a moisturizing and anti-inflammatory effect and stabilises the cell structures by protecting cell membranes.
This substance, produced naturally in the body and evident as OCTN-1 transporter in dermal fibroblasts, is an extremely stable colorless and odorless antioxidant.
Glycine is a small-molecule nonessential amino acid. It's a proteinogenic amino acid, an important precursor of collagen which contains about 35% glycine in the chain.
HMA has been developed as a delivery system for hair with excellent substantivity and coacervation techniques.
Keratin Amino Acids are made by carefully hydrolyzing sheep's wool or deer hair down to a low molecular weight and consist of a mixture of free amino acids, dipeptides, tripeptides, and tetrapeptides.
Lactil® is a hydrating complex ingredient, a blend of the skin's natural moisturizing factors, vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants.
Lauroyl Lysine is a fine white powder, a perfect organic powder for makeup, hair, and skincare products. Its hydrophobic characteristic improves makeup water resistance and improves the flow and spread of the oil/powder mixture.
Lysine Aspartate is an amino acid complex, a product of condensation of natural L-lysine and L-aspartic acid, without preservative.
Lysine Carboxymethyl Cysteinate is a synthetic amino acid derivative obtained through the reaction of cystine with monochloroacetic acid, followed by salification with lysine.
Merging of various amino acids for a moisturizing base complex that further optimizes the moistening and deep penetration of moisture of the skin.
Alpha-MSH (melanocyte-stimulating hormone), is best known as a major factor in the regulation of pigmentation through its unique mechanism. Alpha-MSH is involved in the control of tyrosinase activity, melanin synthesis, and melanosome transfer.
Milk amino acids consist of highly soluble amino acids derived from milk proteins made by a combination of enzyme and acid hydrolysis. It contains all the essential amino acids and can be viewed as a balanced treatment for the skin and hair.
Octyldodecyl PCA is an ester octyl-dodecyl alcohol with L-Pyrrolidone Carboxylic Acid. Thanks to its bi-lipidic structure, it is very similar to natural skin ceramides and restructures the cutaneous barrier.
Palmitoyl glycine is a pearly delicate surfactant ingredient, a product of the condensation of palmitic acid with glycine amino acid. Derived from natural raw materials, it has unique characteristics:
PCA or Pyrrolidone Carboxylic Acid, naturally occurring in the skin, is an amino acid, a metabolite of Filaggrin. Pyrrolidone Carboxylic Acid is one of the most important NMFs (natural moisturizing factors) of the skin.
Potassium Olivoyl PCA is a vegetal softening lipo-amino acid as a fatty acid vehicle an emollient, and moisturizing agent, and a softening surfactant.