What Is Oleuropein?
Oleuropein is a substance found in olives that has several benefits. When used in cosmetics, it can help protect the skin by acting as an antioxidant and also improve the condition of hair by making it smoother, more manageable, and fixing the style. It has a bitter flavor and is solid in form. In terms of health benefits, oleuropein can help dilate coronary vessels which can be helpful for people with heart problems. Additionally, it may lower blood pressure in people who have abnormally low levels.
What is the purpose of Oleuropein in personal care products?
It is used for its antioxidant
, hair conditioning, hair-fixing, and hair-waving and straightening characteristics.
Oleuropein prevents oxidation, improves the look and feel of hair, helps hold your hair in place, and straightens or waves your hair.
What Are Antioxidant Ingredients?
Oleuropein has antioxidant characteristics.
Antioxidants neutralize harmful molecules caused by pollution, UV radiation, and stress that can damage skin cells. Antioxidants can help reduce inflammation and redness. Antioxidant ingredients are also used in skincare products to keep skin healthy and youthful, extend the shelf life of food and beverages, and prevent the breakdown of active ingredients in medications.
Types of Antioxidants Ingredients
Here are some of the most common types of antioxidants ingredients in cosmetics and other products:
Vitamins: Certain vitamins, such as vitamins C, E, and A (retinol), are known for their antioxidant properties.
Botanical extracts: Many plants contain natural antioxidants that can be extracted and used in cosmetics. Examples include green tea, grape seed, pomegranate, and chamomile.
Peptides: Certain peptides, such as glutathione, can have antioxidant properties and may be used in cosmetics.
Carotenoids: Carotenoids are pigments found in plants that have antioxidant properties. Some examples include lycopene, beta-carotene, and astaxanthin.
What Are Hair Conditioning Ingredients?
Oleuropein 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 Hair-Fixing Ingredients?
Oleuropein has hair-fixing characteristics.
Hair-fixing ingredients refer to any ingredient in a hair product that helps to hold your hair in place and can include ingredients like polymers, resins, or natural substances like beeswax or shea butter.
These ingredients form a sort of "net" around your hair strands. This net helps to hold your hair in place, preventing it from moving around or losing its shape. Depending on the specific ingredient used, this net might be more or less flexible, affecting how your hair feels and moves after applying the product.
Types of Hair-Fixing Ingredients
Here are some of the most common types of hair-fixing ingredients:
Polymers: These synthetic compounds form a film around each hair strand, providing a firm hold and making your hair less prone to frizzing.
Resins: These are plant-derived ingredients that help to provide a flexible hold, allowing your hair to move more naturally.
Natural gums: Natural gums, such as xanthan gum and guar gum, are derived from plants and are used as thickeners and stabilizers in hair care products. They can also provide hold to the hair.
Silicones: Silicones are synthetic ingredients that are used to coat the hair shaft and provide shine and smoothness to the hair. They can also provide some hold.
Waxes: Waxes, such as candelilla wax and beeswax, are natural ingredients that provide hold and structure to the hair. They are often used in hair styling products such as pomades and waxes.
Proteins: Proteins, such as keratin and collagen, are natural ingredients that can help to strengthen and repair hair. They can also provide some hold to the hair.
Oils: Oils, such as coconut and argan oil, are natural ingredients that can provide moisture and shine to the hair. They can also help to control frizz and flyaways.
What Are Hair-Waving and Straightening Ingredients?
Oleuropein has hair-waving and straightening characteristics.
Hair-waving and straightening ingredients change the texture of your hair and work by modifying the chemical structure of the hair, allowing it to be set in the style required.
Hair-waving products contain a chemical that breaks down the bonds that hold the hair in its current shape. Once these bonds are broken, the hair can be set in a new shape using rollers or other styling tools. Once the hair has been set, a neutralizing agent is applied, which reforms the broken bonds and sets the hair in its new shape.
On the other hand, hair straightening products break down the protein bonds in the hair and then re-form them in a straight pattern. This process usually involves a straightening iron or other heat sources to help set the hair in the desired shape. The results of hair straightening products can last up to several months, depending on how well the hair is cared for after the treatment.
The chemical ingredients in these products can vary, but many contain ammonium thioglycolate, which is used to break down the bonds in the hair for waving. For straightening, sodium hydroxide or guanidine hydroxide is often used to break down the protein bonds in the hair.
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.