One of the two polymers that form a strand of natural silk. It acts as a humectant moisturizer in skincare, and as an anti-static in hair care.
Moisturizing
Humectant
Moisturizing (Humectant)
Humectants are moisturizing ingredients that draw moisture to the skin, either from deeper layers or from the environment (when it's humid).
Humectant
Moisturizing (Humectant)
Humectants are moisturizing ingredients that draw moisture to the skin, either from deeper layers or from the environment (when it's humid).
Other functions
Antistatic
Antistatic
Antistatic – reduces electric charge buildup.
Antistatic
Antistatic
Antistatic – reduces electric charge buildup.
Origin
Animal
Animal
Ingredients derived from animals (including birds, fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and insects) or produced by animals (e.g. dairy- and egg-derived ingredients, bee products, silk, pearls, etc.)
Animal
Animal
Ingredients derived from animals (including birds, fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and insects) or produced by animals (e.g. dairy- and egg-derived ingredients, bee products, silk, pearls, etc.)
Sericin is one of two polymers that form a strand of natural silk. Sericin covers the surface of the silk strand while the main part (around 70%) is formed by a different protein called fibroin. Sericin can be removed from the raw silk by a process called degumming.
The main application of sericin is in hair care, where it acts as an antistatic ingredient. In skincare, its benefits are only minor – it has the ability to retain water and act as a humectant moisturizer, although not as well as other proteins (hydrolyzed fibroin for example).
To read more about silk proteins, click here: Hydrolyzed Silk.
Science
1
Su Jin Eom, et al. Silk peptide production from whole silkworm cocoon using ultrasound and enzymatic treatment and its suppression of solar ultraviolet-induced skin inflammation. Ultrasonics Sonochemistry, Volume 61, 2020, 104803.
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Humectant
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