Quinoa Proteins

Quinoa Proteins at a glance

Quinoa Proteins is a plant protein hydrolysate made from the seeds of quinoa, Chenopodium quinoa, the Andean grain that has become a symbol of healthy food. The INCI is Hydrolyzed Quinoa. The liquid is amber and low in viscosity, dissolves in water and comes from Germany. The supplier recommends 0.5 to 5% in skin care and 1 to 10% in hair care. It is a vegan protein with a strong, modern story.

Why quinoa

Quinoa seeds contain a protein that is unusually complete, with a balanced set of essential amino acids. When the protein is hydrolyzed, it breaks into peptides and amino acids that dissolve in water and form a light, flexible film. On the hair, this film coats the cuticle. On the skin, it gives a smooth, cushioned feel. Consumers already know quinoa as a superfood, so the name on a label is easy to understand and attractive.

What it does for hair

The supplier puts hair first. Quinoa Proteins gives hair smoothness and silkiness, forms a protective film that shields the fiber from environmental stress and holds the hair's natural moisture. Hair looks shinier, feels softer and is easier to comb. Colored and heat styled hair benefits most, because its cuticle is more open.

What it does for skin

On the skin, the protein gives an unusually soft, velvety feel and supports comfort. The supplier also mentions a lifting effect: as the film dries it gives a light tightening sensation, so skin feels smoother and looks firmer right after application. It suits creams, serums, cleansers, toners and appearance-focused cosmetic and moisturizing products.

How to formulate

Add the liquid to the water phase of a cold process product, or to an emulsion at cool-down below 40 °C. Keep the finished product at about pH 4.5 to 6. Use 1 to 3% in shampoos, 3 to 10% in conditioners, masks and leave-in sprays, and 0.5 to 5% in skin care. In high anionic surfactant systems, test on a small batch first. For a vegan hair line it combines well with VegeKeratin, which adds small amino acids, and with panthenol for moisture. More hair and skin actives are listed in the cosmetic actives section.

Product ideas

Smoothing shampoos, conditioners, hair masks, leave-in sprays, heat protection sprays, curl creams, firming face serums, velvety day creams, gentle cleansers and toners are the main uses.

Sample recipe: quinoa smoothing leave-in spray, 100 g

Distilled water 87.80 g, Quinoa Proteins 5.00 g, vegetable glycerin 2.00 g, panthenol 1.00 g, behentrimonium chloride 1.50 g, solubilizer 0.50 g, fragrance 0.20 g, preservative 1.00 g, citric acid solution 1.00 g. Warm the water with behentrimonium chloride until clear, cool to 40 °C, add glycerin, panthenol and the quinoa protein, premix fragrance with the solubilizer and add it with the preservative, and adjust to about pH 4.5 to 5.

Labeling and claims

On the ingredient list it appears as Hydrolyzed Quinoa. Claims for hair should speak of smoother, silkier and shinier hair and of moisture held in the fiber. Claims for skin should speak of a soft, velvety feel and a smoother, firmer look right after application.

Plant protein for modern hair care

Plant proteins have become the standard in vegan and natural hair lines, and quinoa stands out among them because of its balanced amino acid profile and its well known name. A brand can pair quinoa with other superfood ingredients such as oat or rice for a clear, food inspired story, or keep it as the single hero ingredient in a smoothing range.

Storage

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