Zinc Glycinate

Zinc Glycinate at a glance

Zinc Glycinate is a zinc powder from India with the INCI Zinc Glycinate. It is also known as zinc bisglycinate and zinc amino acid chelate. It is a white crystalline or finely dispersed, water-soluble powder that gives a pH of about 6.5 to 8.0 in a 1% solution. In cosmetics it is used at 0.1 to 1%.

Zinc bound to an amino acid

Zinc is a trace element with a long tradition in care for oily skin, from zinc oxide pastes to modern zinc salts. Its effect depends a lot on the form. In zinc glycinate, the zinc ion is held by two molecules of glycine, the smallest amino acid. This structure is called a chelate. It makes the zinc gentle on the skin, stable in formulas and easy to dissolve in water. Glycine itself is one of the amino acids of the skin's natural moisturizing factor.

What it does

In cosmetics, zinc glycinate is used in formulas for oily and blemish prone skin. Zinc helps balance sebum and shine, supports a clean, matte and fresh look and helps oily, irritated looking skin feel calmer. It suits masks, toners, serums and scalp care, and the supplier lists products for teenagers and sensitive skin, where a gentle form of zinc is especially welcome. In deodorants and hygiene products, zinc supports a fresh, clean feel.

How to formulate

Dissolve the powder in the water phase. It dissolves easily and does not need heat. A 1% solution has a pH of about 6.5 to 8.0, so check and adjust the pH of the finished product to about 5 to 6 for face care. In emulsions, add it to the water phase before emulsifying or dissolve it in a little water and add it at cool-down. A balancing toner can combine it with niacinamide, and a scalp tonic can add panthenol. More oily skin actives are listed in the cosmetic actives section.

Dosing

Toners, cleansers and daily creams use 0.1 to 0.5%. Masks, balancing serums and scalp care use 0.5 to 1%.

Product ideas

Balancing toners, clarifying serums, clay masks for oily skin, mattifying day fluids, teen skin care, scalp toners for oily scalp, deodorant creams and roll-ons and clarifying, sebum balancing lines are the main concepts.

Sample recipe: zinc balancing toner, 100 g

Distilled water 89.00 g, Zinc Glycinate 0.50 g, niacinamide 3.00 g, glycerin 2.00 g, propanediol 3.00 g, panthenol 0.50 g, preservative 1.00 g, citric acid solution 1.00 g. Dissolve zinc glycinate and niacinamide in the water, add glycerin, propanediol and panthenol, then the preservative, and adjust to about pH 5.5 with the citric acid solution.

Teen skin care

Teenage skin is often oily and sensitive at the same time. The supplier lists products for teenagers among the uses. A simple routine with a gentle cleanser, a zinc toner and a light gel moisturizer fits young skin without harsh ingredients.

Scalp care

An oily scalp benefits from the same sebum balancing approach. A leave-on scalp tonic with 0.5 to 1% zinc glycinate helps the scalp feel clean and fresh for longer between washes.

Clay masks

Clay masks are a classic for oily skin. A kaolin or bentonite mask with 0.5 to 1% zinc glycinate absorbs excess oil while the zinc supports a balanced, matte look after rinsing.

Deodorants

The supplier lists deodorants and hygiene products. In deodorant creams and roll-ons, zinc glycinate adds a fresh, clean feel and fits zinc based natural deodorant concepts.

Safety notes

The supplier asks for a sensitivity test of the finished product before use.

Storage

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