FSS Plant Keratin
Preserved with Leucidal Liquid
Take a glance at your skin. Now, take a look at your hair. Based on outward appearances, they are as different as night and day. Anyone would be surprised to know that a major component of your skin, your hair and even your fingernails is the same material: keratin.
Keratin is a structural protein that does not soften in hot or cold water and is not susceptible to proteolysis. However, keratinaceous substances are somewhat vulnerable; repeated exposure of skin and hair to soaps, chemicals, hard water and harsh weather conditions can cause dryness which can lead to other deleterious effects such as roughness and flaking of the skin as well as dullness and breakage of the hair.
The highly proteinaceous nature of both the skin and the hair allows for extensive protein use in a wide variety of cosmetic applications. Because of their poor water solubility, most proteins are unsuitable for use in cosmetics. In order to be incorporated into cosmetic applications, proteins must undergo hydrolysis- the process by which protein is cleaved in small peptide chains called hydrolysates or cleaved further into amino acid molecules. Traditionally, almost all proteins utilized in cosmetic products were derived from animal sources because of their availability and high functionality as a moisturizers, conditioners and film formers. Recently, consumer concerns regarding the use of animal proteins has led to user-friendly plant-based alternatives from sustainable sources such as wheat, corn and soybeans. Hydrolyzed proteins play an important and functional role in keeping our skin and hair moisturized and healthy.
In the skin, Hydrolyzed proteins are among a group of key nutrients that are often referred to as the natural moisturizing factor (NMF). These compounds are responsible for maintaining moisture content and suppleness of the skin by attracting and retaining water to keep the outer layer of the stratum corneum hydrated. Hydrolyzed proteins derived from plants such as corn, wheat and soybeans are substantive to both skin and hair. When applied to the skin, these proteins penetrate the outer layers of the stratum corneum to provide hydrating benefits while forming a film that minimizes trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL). Hydrolyzed proteins have also been shown to reduce irritation caused by surfactants typically used in shampoos and cleansers. In hair care, hydrolyzed proteins are able to penetrate the outermost layer called the cuticle. In doing so, these proteins offer protective benefits by helping to repair split ends and cuticle damage, increasing strength and elasticity and limiting the adverse effects of chemical processing.
FSS Plant Keratin PF features hydrolyzed proteins derived from wheat, corn and soybeans, which combined can enhance moisturization and conditioning properties of a wide variety of skin care and hair care applications, in addition to, providing film forming and anti-irritant benefits to leave skin and hair hydrated and healthy
