Keratin is a protein naturally present in the human body, but also in animals. This protein rich in cystine has many benefits including hair, nails and skin health. Keratin is an ingredient found in both cosmetics and nutraceuticals.
Discover in this article the benefits of keratin as well as the most virtuous sources for a sustainable keratin!
Keratin: the protein that structures skin, nails and hair
Keratin is a protein that forms the skin, hair and nails. It is also present in animals (feathers in birds, …). It is synthesized by keratinocytes.
Keratinocytes, a component of the skin
Keratin is rich in cystine, an amino acid with many health benefits for our phaneres. Cystine is an association of two cysteins, each containing one sulfur atom. During its formation, disulfide bridges are created between the sulfur atoms. These chemical bonds strengthen the strength of the keratin fibers between them. To learn more about L-cystine, read our article!
| 💡 Did you know that there are two main types of keratin? Hard keratin, found in nails and hair, contains between 14 and 18% of L-cystine. Soft keratin is a constituent of the epidermis and contains between 2 and 4 % L-cystine [1]. |
Keratin is an essential protein for healthy skin, hair and nails.
How to benefit from the benefits of hydrolyzed keratin?
Skin and hair are constantly subjected to external aggressions such as UV exposure, chemicals or pollution. Endogenous factors such as genetics and diet also impact the health of our phaneres. But then how to take care of it? Formulas containing hydrolyzed keratin can provide a solution! It is possible to benefit from its benefits in several ways: through cosmetics or through nutraceuticals.
Cosmetic care based on hydrolysate of keratin
Hydrolyzed keratin is a key ingredient in cosmetics that supports healthy skin and hair.
Keratin hydrolysates are found in cosmetics, both in hair masks, which bring strength, shine and resistance to the hair against external aggressions, but also in facial care to maintain the resistance and hydration of the skin.
Hydrolyzed keratin fits perfectly into the concept of In & Out, which is based on the complementarity of a cosmetic care and a dietary supplement.
To learn more about this nutricosmetic concept, discover our article!
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Hydrolysate of keratin in food supplements
Nutraceuticals that aim to improve the health of the skin may contain hydrolyzed keratin. It promotes the growth and vitality of hair, nails and supports healthy skin.
To meet these nutraceutical challenges, BCF Life Sciences offers a sustainable hydrolyzed keratin from feathers. Among our clinically proven performance ingredient complexes, Kera-Diet® improves the condition of the skin by providing shine, volume, density, growth and vitality. It stimulates the endogenous production of glutathione, a powerful antioxidant, by keratinocytes.
Keratin, vitamins and minerals for the health of the skin
To increase the benefits of hydrolyzed keratin on the skin, it is possible to combine it with minerals and vitamins that have complementary benefits.
- Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps protect cells from oxidative stress. Permitted claims as defined by EFSA are:
- “Vitamin C helps protect proteins and lipids from oxidative damage.”
- “Vitamin C contributes to the formation of collagen”, a protein found in the dermis of the skin. Collagen is used to maintain skin firmness and elasticity. [2]
- Vitamin B6
Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6) plays a role in the synthesis of cysteine, component of cystine, with multiple benefits for our phaners. According to claims authorised by EFSA, “vitamin B6 contributes to the maintenance of normal hair”, “normal skin” and “normal nails” [3].
- Zinc
This mineral “contributes to the normal synthesis of proteins” such as keratin, but also “helps maintain normal skin”, “normal hair” and “normal nails”, according to EFSA claims [4].
Find out how BCF Life Sciences selects its keratin in a circular economy model!
Feathers: a sustainable, high-quality source of keratin
For almost 40 years, BCF Life Sciences has chosen to offer nutraceutical and cosmetic players hydrolyzed keratin and high-quality amino acids. Indeed, BCF Life Sciences offers a keratin hydrolysate containing amino acids following rigorous traceability, The quality of the processes and finished products is also important. Our various clinical studies testify to the performance of our active ingredients, including our hydrolyzed keratin on the health and beauty of skin, hair and nails.
Production site of BCF Life Sciences based in Morbihan
To sum up, keratin is a constituent protein of the skin, nails and hair, also present in animals (in feathers,…). Its benefits for skin health can be exploited by products containing keratin. These products include cosmetics such as hair masks or skin care, but also food supplements. By combining keratin with certain minerals and vitamins, the health benefits of our phaneres can be complementary.
SOURCES :
[1] Mitsui T. New cosmetic Science. Part 1: Cosmetics and hair and nails. Elsevier Science, 1997
[2] EFSA. Vitamin C related health claims, 2009
[3] EFSA. Vitamin B6 related health claims, 2010
[4] EFSA. Zinc related health claims, 2010
