Quinoa Extract

Quinoa Extract at a glance

This Quinoa Extract is a natural seed extract from Switzerland. Its INCI is Water, Glycerin, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract. It is an amber liquid with a neutral odor, water-soluble and used at 1 to 5% of the finished product. The supplier recommends it mainly for restoring skin hydration, and also lists antioxidant and soothing properties that make it useful in sun and after sun care.

Quinoa, the Andean seed

Quinoa has been grown in the high Andes of South America for thousands of years. It is often called a grain, but botanically it is a pseudo cereal, a seed of a plant related to spinach and beets. The same richness makes the seed interesting for skin care: an extract that brings amino acids, sugars and fatty acids together in one natural ingredient.

What is inside

Amino acids

The supplier highlights the amino acid content, especially threonine. The extract also contains isoleucine, tryptophan, valine and leucine. Amino acids are part of the skin's natural moisturizing factor, the mix of small molecules that holds water in the upper layer of the skin.

Carbohydrates and fatty acids

Seed carbohydrates bind water and give a smooth feel. The fatty acids support the lipid side of the skin surface. Together with the amino acids they make a balanced moisturizing complex.

What it does

The high amino acid content helps rehydrate the upper layer of the skin and even the cuticle of the hair. The extract supports the skin's own metabolism and helps it look smoother and more supple. Its antioxidant activity helps limit oxidative stress, which is why the supplier recommends it in after-sun care and after sun products. It also has a soothing effect, and the amino acid profile supports the skin's own collagen and elastin.

How to formulate

Add the extract to the water phase or at cool-down, below 40 °C. It is water-soluble and has a neutral odor, so it fits fragrance free products. The amber color gives a light tint in clear gels. Keep the finished product at about pH 5 to 6. For a complete hydration product, combine it with sodium PCA and trehalose. More plant extracts are in the botanical extracts section.

Dosing

Daily creams and lotions use 1 to 3%. Intensive serums, masks and after sun gels use 3 to 5%. Hair care leave-in products can use 1 to 2%.

Product ideas

The supplier lists creams, serums, balms and after-sun care. Popular concepts are hydrating day creams, moisture serums, after sun gels, soothing balms, sun lotions, leave-in hair conditioners for dry hair and superfood themed lines.

Sample recipe: after sun soothing gel, 100 g

Distilled water 84.70 g, Quinoa Extract 5.00 g, glycerin 3.00 g, propanediol 2.00 g, panthenol 2.00 g, carbomer 0.50 g, sodium hydroxide solution 0.80 g, bisabolol 0.20 g, preservative 1.00 g, fragrance 0.20 g, allantoin 0.60 g. Disperse the carbomer in the water, add glycerin, propanediol and allantoin, neutralize with the sodium hydroxide solution, add the quinoa extract, panthenol, bisabolol premixed in propanediol, the preservative and fragrance, and check the pH at about 6.

Superfood lines

Quinoa is one of the best known superfoods, which makes it a strong label ingredient for natural lines. A quinoa face cream, a quinoa hair mask and a quinoa body lotion can share one story about nourishment from a complete protein seed.

Hair care

The supplier notes that the amino acids help rehydrate the hair cuticle. In conditioners and leave-in sprays at 1 to 2%, the extract helps dry, sun stressed hair feel softer and look smoother.

Safety notes

Avoid contact with the eyes and do not exceed the recommended dose.

Storage

Store in a cool, dark place in a tightly closed container. A certificate of analysis comes with every lot.