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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Sepicalm™ S is a lipo-aminoacid-based complex enriched minerals and vectorized essential amino acids for all-around protection against stress, a genuine feeling of well-being, and skin comfort.
Silk Amino Acids is a mixture obtained from pure silk fibers by hydrolysis to their free amino acids under carefully controlled conditions. The principal amino acids in this ingredient are glycine, alanine, and serine.
Sodium PCA is contained abundantly in the skin and plays the role of a "natural moisturizing factor" (NMF) ingredient. It is extremely hygroscopic and imparts a pleasant moist feeling to skin and hair.
Voluform™ (Palmitoyl Isoleucine) is a lipo-amino acid, an active ingredient that acts on every layer of the skin, providing volume, firming, and detoxifying dermal tissues.