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As key compounds found naturally in humans, animals, and plants, amino acids are extremely hydrophilic, consisting of both amino and carboxyl groups. These groups absorb and store water quickly, leaving skin and surfaces permanently hydrated. Amino acids are gentle and non-irritating as compared to other moisturizers and are biocompatible and environmentally friendly. This makes them useful for all skin types, including sensitive skins and baby products. The common amino acid-based moisturizing ingredients like glycine, serine, and glutamic acid moisturize the skin and also control the skin barrier function, cell regeneration and promote the overall health of your skin.
Moisturizing additives in cosmetics are compounds designed to maintain the skin's moisture balance. They help the skin retain water through various mechanisms, achieving hydration and protection. These compounds, especially effective under low-humidity conditions, are collectively referred to as moisturizers or humectants and sometimes as emollients. They play a critical role in cosmetics, particularly in moisturizing skincare products. In addition to their primary hydrating function, moisturizers in cosmetics may also provide antibacterial and fragrance-retaining benefits. Typically used in concentrations of 4-8%, the amount should ideally not exceed 10%. Different types of moisturizers can be selected based on the skin's needs: lightweight, water-based moisturizers are suitable for oily skin, while drier skin may benefit from creams with higher oil content. Regular use of moisturizers can effectively improve skin hydration, enhance skin softness, elasticity, and radiance, while also helping to relieve discomfort caused by dryness.
Fig. 1. Moisturizer for skin.
The main function of moisturizers is to maintain the skin's moisture balance by providing and locking in moisture. The skin is easily affected by external factors in daily life, such as cold weather, dry air, or UV radiation, leading to moisture loss, which can cause dryness, roughness, peeling, and even trigger sensitivity issues. Moisturizers help by forming a protective barrier that reduces water evaporation, keeping the skin soft and smooth. The working principle of moisturizers relies on moisturizing ingredients such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and amino acids. These ingredients attract and retain moisture in the skin, while also enhancing the skin barrier's strength to prevent external irritants from penetrating. Generally, moisturizers achieve their effects through three primary mechanisms:
Three common types of moisturizers in skincare products include small-molecule moisturizers, macromolecular moisturizers, and advanced high-efficiency moisturizers. Each of these types has unique characteristics and applications, providing essential hydration and protection to the skin while helping to maintain its moisture balance and healthy condition. Small-molecule moisturizers, due to their low molecular weight, have strong penetration capabilities, allowing them to quickly enter the intercellular spaces of the stratum corneum and deliver instant hydration to the skin. They work by absorbing moisture from the environment, but in conditions of low relative humidity, they may draw water from the skin itself, potentially leading to increased dryness. Common small-molecule moisturizers include polyols, amino acid-based moisturizers, vitamin-based moisturizers, lactic acid, and sodium lactate. Generally, these moisturizers are cost-effective and widely used.
| Type | Characteristics |
| Polyol-based Moisturizers | A class of low-volatility, high-boiling moisturizers with strong hygroscopic properties, essential raw materials for moisturizers. Common polyol-based moisturizers include glycerol (propylene glycol), propylene glycol, butylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, xylitol, polypropylene glycol, sorbitol, etc. |
| Lactic Acid & Sodium Lactate-based Moisturizers | Lactic acid is a widely occurring organic acid in nature and is the final product of anaerobic metabolism in organisms, safe and non-toxic. Lactic acid and its salts are key components of NMF, accounting for 12% of its content. Lactic acid has a notable plasticizing and softening effect on proteins, making the skin soft, swollen, and elastic. It is an excellent acidulant in skincare products and promotes moisture absorption. |
| Vitamin-based Moisturizers | Vitamin-based moisturizers are divided into fat-soluble and water-soluble categories. Fat-soluble vitamins include Vitamin A, D, E, and K, while water-soluble vitamins include Vitamin C and B vitamins. The main vitamin-based moisturizing ingredients in cosmetics are provitamin B5 and serine. |
| Polysaccharide-based Moisturizers | Polysaccharides in the skin are mucopolysaccharides formed by the condensation of amino sugars, uronic acids, acetic acid, and sulfuric acid. Polysaccharides generally have moisturizing, anti-aging, skin fiber proliferation-promoting, and skin tone-enhancing effects. Common polysaccharides used in cosmetics include hyaluronic acid, chitosan, trehalose, cottonseed sugar, maltotetraose, and pullulan. |
| Silk Protein-based Moisturizers | A natural high-molecular protein extracted from silk, silk protein is not only good for moisturizing and repairing but is also valued for its unique biocompatibility and rich nutritional value. For example, silk protein in cosmetics has excellent thermal stability, sunscreen, moisturizing, and nourishing functions, with good compatibility for large-scale incorporation. |
| Amino Acid-based Moisturizers | Amino acids are the basic building blocks of proteins, playing important physiological roles in the human body. Amino acid-based moisturizers contain ingredients similar to the skin's natural moisturizing factors, effectively retaining skin moisture and improving skin hydration. Common amino acid-based moisturizers include betaine, sodium PCA, sodium lactate, and sodium polyglutamate. |
Amino acid moisturizers are chemical substances primarily composed of amino acids or their derivatives, known for their exceptional moisturizing capabilities. As effective zwitterionic moisturizers, some amino acid-based moisturizers naturally occur in goji berries and seaweed. Their efficacy is comparable to hyaluronic acid, making them safe for use in cosmetics and cleansing products. Amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, feature a unique chemical structure that includes hydrophilic amino (-NH₂) and carboxyl (-COOH) groups, giving them significant advantages in the field of hydration. Amino acid moisturizers achieve their effects by absorbing moisture, retaining water, and improving skin barrier function. Their natural origin and low irritancy make them widely applicable in skincare, cosmetics, and other personal care products. Amino acid moisturizers are typically derived from natural sources, such as plant protein hydrolysis, or synthesized chemically, such as artificial amino acid derivatives. They are recognized for their safety and eco-friendly properties. Common examples include glycine, serine, glutamic acid, and their salts or derivatives. These compounds not only provide excellent moisturizing effects but also enhance overall skin health by regulating pH, increasing elasticity, and strengthening the skin barrier.
Common amino acid moisturizing ingredients like alanine, arginine, asparagine, glutamine, glycine, histidine, serine, and glutamic acid offer powerful hydration and improve skin barrier function. Compared to other moisturizers, amino acids are celebrated for their gentleness and biocompatibility, making them suitable for sensitive skin and baby care products. Additionally, amino acids are environmentally friendly and multifunctional, supporting hydration while promoting cellular repair and tissue regeneration. These qualities make them a key component in high-end moisturizing formulations.
| Name | CAS | Catalog | Price |
| L-Arginine hydrochloride | 1119-34-2 | BAT-008148 | Inquiry |
| L-Homoarginine hydrochloride | 1483-01-8 | BAT-008111 | Inquiry |
| DL-Serine | 302-84-1 | BAT-008098 | Inquiry |
| β-Alanine | 107-95-9 | BAT-008150 | Inquiry |
| D-Glutamic acid | 6893-26-1 | BAT-008125 | Inquiry |
| L-Alanine | 56-41-7 | BAT-014294 | Inquiry |
Amino acid moisturizers, known for their natural origin, safety, and versatility, find extensive applications across multiple fields. From skincare and hair care products to food, medicine, and industrial applications, these moisturizers demonstrate significant market potential and scientific value. As consumer demand for eco-friendly and high-performance products grows, amino acid moisturizers are poised for a promising future, driving innovation and improvements across diverse industries.
Amino acid moisturizers play a pivotal role in skincare products, widely used in moisturizers, lotions, cleansers, serums, and masks. These molecules penetrate deeply into the skin's surface to absorb and retain moisture from the environment, enhancing the skin's hydration levels. For instance, serine, with its excellent hygroscopic properties, is commonly included in premium moisturizers to alleviate dryness, roughness, and flaking. Additionally, amino acids help balance the skin's pH and strengthen its barrier function, making them particularly suitable for sensitive skin. Products like repair masks containing glutamic acid not only hydrate deeply but also soothe discomfort caused by environmental stress or UV damage, making them core ingredients in soothing and restorative formulations.
In hair care, amino acid moisturizers deliver hydration while repairing damaged hair. Products like conditioners and hair masks often incorporate amino acids such as glutamic acid or cysteine, which replenish moisture in hair fibers, improving flexibility and shine. Amino acids also promote keratin synthesis, strengthening hair structure and reducing breakage and split ends. For hair weakened by coloring, perming, or environmental factors, amino acid moisturizers work synergistically with other active ingredients to provide long-lasting protection, restoring health and luster to both hair and scalp.
The gentle nature and effective moisturizing properties of amino acid moisturizers make them highly valuable in medical applications, particularly in treating dry skin conditions. Medicinal ointments containing glycine or arginine effectively relieve dryness and itching associated with eczema and psoriasis while supporting skin barrier recovery. Additionally, amino acid moisturizers are used in wound care products. For example, burn and chronic wound patients benefit from amino acid-infused moisturizing dressings that maintain a moist wound environment, prevent premature scab formation, and promote tissue regeneration. Thanks to their biocompatibility and anti-inflammatory properties, amino acid components hold great promise in medicinal skincare applications.
In the food and health supplement industries, amino acid moisturizers are used to improve food texture and water retention. In baked goods, amino acid derivatives such as glycine help maintain softness and extend shelf life. In functional beverages, amino acid moisturizers combined with electrolytes enhance hydration and provide additional nutritional support, catering to post-exercise rehydration needs. Furthermore, amino acid-based nutritional supplements are highly valued for their moisturizing properties and skin health benefits, especially in the beauty and anti-aging market, where they serve as key components.
Amino acid moisturizers, appreciated for their mildness and biodegradability, are extensively utilized in personal care products. In hand soaps and body washes, they provide deep hydration while cleansing, preventing the tightness or dryness often caused by traditional surfactants. This makes them ideal for sensitive skin and baby products. In household cleaning, detergents containing amino acids are gentle yet effective, ensuring thorough cleaning without irritating the skin. Additionally, in industrial applications, amino acid moisturizers are used as additives in coatings and lubricants to enhance material performance and prolong lifespan.
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