What Is Sphinganine?

Learn about the hair conditioning and skin conditioning characteristics of Sphinganine and its usage in personal care products.

What Is Sphinganine? Brandon Jones / IngredientReviewer

Last Updated: October 2, 2024

Written by Brandon Jones

What Is Sphinganine?

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Sphinganine is a natural substance that can be used in cosmetics to make your hair and skin softer and smoother. It comes in a solid form and has many other names including dihydrosphingosine, d-erythro-sphinganine, and octadecasphinganine.

What is the purpose of Sphinganine in personal care products? It is used for its hair conditioning and skin conditioning characteristics. Sphinganine improves the look and feel of hair and moisturizes and strengthens skin.

Names and identifiers that we found for this substance include: Sphinganine, Dihydrosphingosine, Octadecasphinganine, erythro-Sphinganine, C18-Sphinganine, D-erythro-Dihydrosphingosine, Dihydro-C18-sphingosine, (2S,3R)-Sphinganine, D-erythro-2-Amino-1,3-octadecanediol, (2S,3R)-2-Aminooctadecane-1,3-diol, [R-(R,S)]-2-aminooctadecane-1,3-dio, and SPC 102860.

What Are Hair Conditioning Ingredients?

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Sphinganine 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 Ingredients?

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Sphinganine has skin conditioning characteristics.

Skin conditioning ingredients improve the texture, feel, and overall appearance of the skin, helping to avoid harmful effects from external factors. Skin conditioning ingredients moisturize the skin and strengthen its natural barrier function to help protect it from damage caused by harsh weather and sunlight. Some skin conditioning ingredients are anti-inflammatory and can help reduce redness and irritated skin.

Safety

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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.