Hydrolysed Keratin

Hair is built mostly from keratin, a tough, fibrous protein. Bleaching, heat styling and daily brushing wear its outer layers down, and hair starts to feel rough and break more easily. Hydrolysed Keratin returns protein fragments of the same family to hair care products, which is why it is one of the most familiar ingredients on shampoo and mask labels.

What hydrolysis means

Native keratin is large and insoluble. Hydrolysis breaks it into smaller peptides and amino acids that dissolve or disperse in water. Smaller fragments are associated with a lighter feel, while larger fragments form more noticeable films on the hair surface. The exact INCI, protein content, source and molecular range are confirmed on the supplier CoA for each lot.

Product data

Liquid hair care ingredient. The supplier specification lists hair care as the main application. Use the CoA for the ingredient list and recommended level, and for any claims about protein content.

Product formats

Strengthening shampoo

A mild shampoo that leaves hair feeling stronger.

Conditioner and mask

Rinse-off care for damaged-feeling lengths.

Leave-in spray

A light spray used before heat styling.

Bond-focused routine

A shampoo, mask and leave-in trio for bleached or colored hair.

Formulating guidance

Add the ingredient to the water phase during cool-down and check pH, since protein solutions can buffer the formula. In shampoos, check viscosity and clarity after addition. Pair it with D-Panthenol for moisture and shine, with IO Conditioning Honey Derivative for conditioning and with Polyquaternium-10 in cleansing products. More hair actives are listed under actives.

Claims

Use cosmetic wording: stronger-feeling, smoother hair, less breakage when combing, easier styling. Support numbers with combing-force or breakage tests on tresses.

Source and labeling

Keratin is usually derived from animal sources such as wool or feathers. Check the source on the CoA and label accordingly. Brands that need a plant alternative can look for plant proteins with a similar function.

Odor

Protein hydrolysates can carry a characteristic odor. Test the fragrance level in the finished product and compare against a reference sample from each lot.

Testing

Run stability at room temperature and 40 °C, checking pH, viscosity, color and odor.

Packaging

Standard bottles for shampoos and conditioners, jars or tubes for masks, fine-mist sprays for leave-ins.

Original recipe: keratin appearance support mask, 100 g

Phase A: water 80.10 g, glycerin 2.00 g, hydroxyethylcellulose 0.30 g. Phase B: cetearyl alcohol 6.00 g, behentrimonium chloride 2.50 g, argan oil 1.50 g. Heat An and B to 75 °C, combine and cool. Phase C below 40 °C: Hydrolysed Keratin 4.00 g as an example level per CoA, panthenol 1.00 g, preservative 1.00 g, fragrance 0.60 g, lactic acid solution 1.00 g. Adjust pH to about 4.5.

Who the products are for

Keratin products speak to people with bleached, colored or heat-styled hair, to those growing their hair long and to anyone who feels their lengths have become dry and fragile. Salon brands often use keratin as a step in a care ritual after coloring, while retail brands put it in shampoo and mask duos for weekly use.

Combining proteins

Keratin can be combined with other hydrolysed proteins, such as wheat or silk, to cover a wider molecular range. Lighter fragments are associated with moisture and softness, heavier ones with surface film and body. Test combinations on bleached tresses and compare the feel when wet and dry, since too much protein can make fine hair feel stiff.

Using it in cleansing products

Proteins in shampoos can soften the feel of the surfactant system and add slip during rinsing. Add the keratin after the surfactants and thickener, then confirm that viscosity is still on target.

Storage

Keep it tightly closed in a cool place away from light.