Zea Mays (Corn) Starch

Zea mays starch is a white, very finely powdered starch extracted from corn. More commonly known as corn starch, it is a carbohydrate extracted from the endosperm of corn kernels.

This popular ingredient, found in many everyday products, has a wide range of uses in the culinary, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries due to its functional properties. In the context of skincare, Zea Mays (Corn) Starch has earned a spotlight for its various beneficial roles.

Corn starch, along with rice starch, is one of the more finely grained starches (in comparison, potato starch grains can be 5 to 10 times bigger) which makes it an important ingredient for powdered cosmetics such as powders, blushes, and bronzers.

Zea Mays (Corn) Starch is frequently used in skincare formulations for its multifaceted roles. It performs as an abrasive, absorbent, anticaking agent, and viscosity controller.

1. Abrasive: Zea Mays (Corn) Starch works as a gentle exfoliant, helping to remove dead skin cells and revealing healthier skin underneath.
    
2. Absorbent: It absorbs excess oil and sweat from the skin, creating a mattifying effect which makes it beneficial for people with oily skin types. Corn starch, similarly to other polysaccharides, has the ability to form a film on the skin’s surface and helps to create a matte finish after application.
    
3. Anticaking Agent: Corn starch works as an anti-caking ingredient, giving the powders just the right amount of the holds-together-but-falls-apart-under-a-brush quality.
    
4. Viscosity Controlling: In creams, lotions, and other semi-liquid cosmetics, corn starch serves as a thickening agent. It helps in achieving the desired texture and thickness in skincare products, making them more appealing and effective. 

The use of Zea Mays (Corn) Starch in skincare products is not merely functional, but it also offers numerous benefits for the skin:

1. Gentle Exfoliation: As an abrasive, corn starch helps gently remove dead skin cells, promoting skin renewal and resulting in a brighter, smoother complexion. Unlike other harsher exfoliants, it's gentle enough for sensitive skin.

2. Oil Control: Zea Mays (Corn) Starch acts as an absorbent, soaking up excess oil without stripping the skin of its natural moisture. This helps to maintain a balanced complexion and reduce the occurrence of breakouts in oily skin types.