Silk protein is a fibrous protein formed by converting silk from the cocoon of the silkworm. Since its discovery for beauty, it has been used in countless beauty products. Historically, silk cocoons are popular in Asian body care product as a result of their rejuvenating properties. They are widely used as an exfoliant, where their anti-aging properties work to smooth out wrinkles and scars. Silk cocoon provide gentle exfoliation and can improve damage caused by harmful environmental elements.

More recently, in advanced medicine, wound dressings made of silk cocoon are used to reduce infections from certain bacteria and promote healing.

COMPONENTS OF SILK PROTEIN

Silk protein contains a variety of amino acids similar to the human skin and have good permeability. They have excellent moisturizing properties and are skin-friendly irrespective of skin type. There are two prominent proteins in silk with supposed benefits: Sericin and Fibroin.  Sericin forms a layer of protection over the skin and help promote hydration, fibroin help repair skin cells and balance moisture levels.

SERICIN

Sericin is a protein that enables strands of silk to be held together in a cocoon. It’s the outer coating of silk protein. Its use and application is found in the field of medicine where it is useful in helping to coagulate, heal wounds, and to reduce the risk of infection. Studies and controlled experiments show that the topical use of a creams containing sericin results in faster healing, and reduction of wound and inflammation. Sericin is also common in hair products like shampoo, conditioners and dye treatments due to its ability to reduce hair breakage and damage.

FIBROIN

Fibroin is the inner shaft of silk protein. It is the structural center of silk, contributing to its rigid structure and tensile strength. It is seen as a valuable material in skincare and hair care formulations. Fibroin is reputed to be an excellent non-toxic water-binding and absorbing protein.

Fibroin helps in calming inflamed skin by increasing cell metabolism and boosting blood circulation. This reduction of inflammation can help to promote an evenly toned skin with less fine lines and improve skin elasticity.

Numerous skin care products use fibroin because it has a high percentage of glycine and alanine. The combination of glycine and alanine gives silk the remarkable ability to improve skin elasticity, speed up wound healing and condition the skin.  Alanine is commonly found in formulations, where it provides excellent skin conditioning. Facial masks popularly contain alanine as an ingredient due to its ability to penetrate the skin epidermal cells, they help to fill up lines giving the skin a smoother appearance.

SILK PROTEIN ON THE HAIR

Hydrolyzed silk protein can be highly beneficial to the hair, it works by coating the cuticles of hair strands in a protective cocoon. This helps to trap in moisture and protects the bonds in our hair so that they are stronger and smoother.

Another function of silk protein for hair is its ability to induce the production of keratin. Keratin is the main and primary protein in the hair. This protein is what gives hair strength and lustre. When hair is regularly exposed to heat and harsh chemicals, keratin breaks down and the hair become weak and prone to breakage or even falling off.

Silk protein can help to salvage this situation by forcing a recovery process for the hair or preventing its breakdown all together. When the protein of the hair diminishes and the hair gets weak, adding proteins helps to keep the keratin balance up and provide a protective structure around the hair. Hydrolyzed silk protein improves shine, elasticity, prevents breakage and help to retain moisture for longer. Other proteins that work to strengthen hair include Oat protein, Rice protein and wheat protein.

SILK PROTEIN ON THE SKIN

Hydrolyzed silk protein has very high moisturizing property,  this is as a result its porous structure. It easily diffuses water molecules and retains it within its structure, it can also absorb up to 50 times the weight of water.

Silk protein fibrous structure is similar to that of collagen fibers of the skin and works in a similar manner. It can help to increase the elasticity of skin and speed up skin metabolism, this can prevent the onset of wrinkles and improve skin smoothness.

Finally, silk protein has shown to effectively inhibit the formation of tyrosinase which is a component responsible for melanin production, this helps to reduce skin darkening.

So, if you looking to create products for hair lacking moisture, lustre and tensile strength, or a moisturizing skin care product with a great skin feel then shop hydrolyzed silk protein here.