Undecylenoyl Glycine is a derivative of glycine, an amino acid, modified with undecylenic acid. This compound is valued in cosmetics and personal care products for its multifunctional properties, including antimicrobial activity, skin conditioning, and its ability to help stabilize emulsions. Undecylenoyl Glycine is particularly effective in formulations aimed at acne-prone skin due to its soothing and balancing properties.
Chemical Composition and Structure
The chemical composition of Undecylenoyl Glycine includes:
- Glycine: The simplest amino acid, with the formula C2H5NO2.
- Undecylenic Acid: A fatty acid with a long hydrocarbon chain (C11H20O2), known for its antifungal and antibacterial properties.
Structurally, Undecylenoyl Glycine features a glycine backbone with a undecylenoyl group attached, which enhances its lipophilicity and bioactivity in cosmetic formulations.
Physical Properties
Appearance: Typically a white to pale yellow solid or powder.
Solubility: Soluble in water and alcohol; may have limited solubility in oils.
pH: Generally neutral to slightly acidic, depending on the formulation.
Odor: Mild or characteristic of the components.
Stability: Stable under normal storage conditions; should be protected from extreme temperatures.
Production Process
Synthesis: Undecylenoyl Glycine is synthesized through the esterification of undecylenic acid with glycine under controlled conditions, resulting in the formation of the compound.
Purification: The product is purified to remove unreacted materials and impurities, ensuring high quality.
Formulation: Purified Undecylenoyl Glycine is incorporated into various cosmetic and personal care products.
Applications
Medical: Occasionally used in topical formulations for its antimicrobial properties.
Cosmetics: Commonly found in acne treatments, cleansers, and lotions for its skin-conditioning and soothing effects.
INCI Functions:
Hair conditioning agent.. A large number of ingredients with specific purposes can co-exist in a hair shampoo: cleansers, conditioners, thickeners, mattifying agents, sequestering agents, fragrances, preservatives, special additives. However, the indispensable ingredients are the cleansers and conditioners as they are necessary and sufficient for hair cleansing and manageability. The others act as commercial and non-essential auxiliaries such as: appearance, fragrance, colouring, etc. Hair conditioning agents have the task of increasing shine, manageability and volume, and reducing static electricity, especially after treatments such as colouring, ironing, waving, drying and brushing. They are, in practice, dispersing agents that may contain cationic surfactants, thickeners, emollients, polymers. The typology of hair conditioners includes: intensive conditioners, instant conditioners, thickening conditioners, drying conditioners.
Surfactant. Cleansing agent. Cosmetic products used to cleanse the skin utilise the surface-active action that produces a lowering of the surface tension of the stratum corneum, facilitating the removal of dirt and impurities.
Environmental and Safety Considerations
Undecylenoyl Glycine is generally regarded as safe for use in cosmetics when applied according to recommended guidelines. It is well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive skin. Responsible sourcing and formulation practices are essential to ensure that the ingredient is free from harmful contaminants and produced sustainably.
Undecylenoyl glycine 
