HYDROLYZED WHEAT PROTEIN
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein is made by breaking down the proteins in wheat germ through acid, alkaline, or enzymatic hydrolysis. It is not an intact protein: the resulting material consists mainly of amino acids, peptides, and smaller protein fragments, and may also contain small amounts of carbohydrates and lipids naturally associated with the plant raw material.
HYDROLYZED WHEAT PROTEIN: what it is
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein is made by breaking down the proteins in wheat germ through acid, alkaline, or enzymatic hydrolysis. It is not an intact protein: the resulting material consists mainly of amino acids, peptides, and smaller protein fragments, and may also contain small amounts of carbohydrates and lipids naturally associated with the plant raw material.
The germ is the part of a grain from which a new plant begins to grow. Common wheat, Triticum aestivum, belongs to the grass family; however, the name on a label identifies a hydrolysate from wheat germ, not a whole-grain extract or wheat flour. Hydrolysis is what distinguishes this ingredient from non-hydrolyzed wheat protein.
HYDROLYZED WHEAT PROTEIN: what it does in cosmetics
In hair products, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein can contribute to hair that is easier to comb, softer, and more supple, which are practical effects expected from a conditioning agent. Its antistatic role is intended to reduce electrical charge at the surface, which is associated with flyaway hair. In skin products, it is used as a conditioning ingredient to help maintain a pleasant look and feel.
These uses describe how the ingredient can behave within a cosmetic formula; they do not mean that it treats acne, dark spots, wounds, or disease. The published safety assessment for hydrolyzed wheat proteins examined clinical and laboratory data, rather than the effectiveness of a particular cream or shampoo. Its presence alone therefore does not determine the result a person will notice on skin or hair.
HYDROLYZED WHEAT PROTEIN: conditions and care
In the European Union, peptides in Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein used in cosmetics must average no more than 3.5 kDa.
Restrictions and conditions of use
Products containing this ingredient
See which products include it and the name used in each composition.
