What Is ε-Polylysine?
Epsilon-Polylysine is a type of molecule made up of many lysine amino acids joined together. It can be used in cosmetics to make hair and skin feel softer and smoother, as well as to help mix together different types of ingredients. Another name for it is 2-amino-n-methylheptanamide.
What is the purpose of ε-Polylysine in personal care products?
It is used for its hair conditioning
, skin conditioning (assorted), and surfactant emulsifying characteristics.
ε-Polylysine improves the look and feel of hair, helps restore dry or damaged skin, and helps mix liquids that don't usually mix.
What Are Hair Conditioning Ingredients?
ε-Polylysine has hair conditioning characteristics.
Hair conditioning ingredients are used in cosmetic products to enhance the appearance and feel of hair. They leave your hair easy to comb, flexible, soft, and shiny while imparting volume, lightness, gloss, and texture.
One of the critical functions of hair conditioning ingredients is to smooth the surface of the hair strands. This makes the hair easier to comb or brush, reducing the risk of breakage and split ends. Conditioning ingredients also help to seal the hair cuticle, which helps to reduce frizz and enhance shine.
Types of Hair Conditioning Ingredients
Different conditioning ingredients work in different ways to achieve these results. For example, some ingredients, like silicones, natural oils, and fatty alcohols, help to create a protective film around each hair strand, which locks in moisture and prevents dryness.
Other ingredients, like proteins and amino acids, penetrate the hair shaft to strengthen and repair damaged hair. These ingredients work by filling in the gaps in the hair's structure, smoothing the surface, and increasing elasticity.
Hair conditioning products also often contain ingredients that provide volume and texture, such as polymers and thickeners. These ingredients can help give hair a fuller, thicker appearance, making it more manageable and easier to style.
What Are Skin Conditioning (assorted) Ingredients?
ε-Polylysine has skin conditioning (assorted) characteristics.
Skin conditioning ingredients are specifically designed to help reduce flakiness and restore suppleness to dry or damaged skin. They work by improving the skin's natural barrier function and helping to retain moisture, which can lead to a more youthful and healthy-looking complexion.
What Are Surfactant Emulsifying Ingredients?
ε-Polylysine has surfactant emulsifying characteristics.
Surfactant emulsifying ingredients helps mix two liquids that do not usually mix well by reducing the surface tension of the ingredients. The emulsification process involves suspending or dispersing one liquid in a second liquid, such as oil in water or vice versa. However, these two liquids have different properties that cause them to repel each other and not mix. This is where surfactants come in, as they can reduce the liquids' surface tension and allow them to mix.
Surfactants have two ends: a hydrophilic (water-loving) head and a hydrophobic (water-repelling) tail. When added to two liquids that do not mix well, the hydrophilic head attaches to the water-based liquid, while the hydrophobic tail attaches to the oil-based liquid. This creates a stable mixture of the two liquids and allows for a smooth and even distribution of ingredients in the cosmetic product.
Safety
Remember, always read and follow the instructions provided on product labels carefully. If you have any questions or concerns about using a product containing various ingredients, consult with your doctor or healthcare provider before use.