Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans are derived from glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) that have been broken down into smaller components through the process of hydrolysis. These bioactive molecules are essential for maintaining skin structure and function, offering numerous benefits for skin hydration, elasticity, and overall health. Hydrolyzed glycosaminoglycans are commonly used in cosmetic and personal care products to enhance skin hydration and promote a youthful appearance.
Chemical Composition and Structure
Hydrolyzed glycosaminoglycans consist of smaller fragments of naturally occurring GAGs, such as hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate, and heparan sulfate. The specific composition includes:
Disaccharides: The basic building blocks of GAGs that contribute to their hydrating properties.
Amino Sugars: Such as glucosamine and galactosamine, which are essential for skin repair and regeneration.
Physical Properties
Hydrolyzed glycosaminoglycans typically appear as a clear to slightly opaque liquid or fine powder. They are water-soluble, making them easy to incorporate into various cosmetic formulations.
Cosmetic and Personal Care Applications
Hydration: Hydrolyzed glycosaminoglycans are excellent at attracting and retaining moisture in the skin, helping to keep it hydrated and supple.
Anti-Aging: They promote skin elasticity and firmness, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Skin Conditioning: These molecules help improve skin texture and smoothness, making the skin look healthier and more radiant.
Healing: Hydrolyzed glycosaminoglycans support skin repair and regeneration, aiding in the healing of minor skin irritations and wounds.
Anti-Inflammatory: They have soothing properties that help reduce inflammation and calm irritated skin.
Enhanced Penetration: These molecules can improve the delivery and efficacy of other active ingredients in skincare formulations.
Environmental and Safety Considerations
Hydrolyzed glycosaminoglycans are generally considered safe for use in cosmetic and personal care products. They are well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive skin. Being derived from natural sources, they pose minimal risk to the environment when sourced and disposed of responsibly.
Cosmetics - INCI Functions
Hair conditioning agent. A significant number of ingredients with specific and targeted purposes may co-exist in hair shampoo formulations: cleansers, conditioners, thickeners, matting 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, dispersants that may contain cationic surfactants, thickeners, emollients, polymers. The typology of hair conditioning agents includes: intensive conditioners, instant conditioners, thickening conditioners, drying conditioners. They can perform their task generally accompanied by other different ingredients.
Synonyms:
CAS: 156715-51-4