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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
Potassium Olivoyl PCA is a vegetal softening lipo-amino acid as a fatty acid vehicle an emollient, and moisturizing agent, and a softening surfactant.