PHENYLALANINE
Phenylalanine, shown on ingredient lists as PHENYLALANINE, is an aromatic amino acid, a member of the molecular family that makes up proteins. The L form is incorporated into proteins, and phenylalanine is one of the essential amino acids in the human diet; that helps identify the ingredient, but it does not make it a plant extract or a ready-made protein applied to skin or hair.
PHENYLALANINE: what it is
Phenylalanine, shown on ingredient lists as PHENYLALANINE, is an aromatic amino acid, a member of the molecular family that makes up proteins. The L form is incorporated into proteins, and phenylalanine is one of the essential amino acids in the human diet; that helps identify the ingredient, but it does not make it a plant extract or a ready-made protein applied to skin or hair.
Phenylalanine has L and D forms, with the same basic composition but a different spatial arrangement. The L form is the one associated with proteins; it can be obtained commercially from proteins, whereas an ingredient list does not identify the raw material or manufacturing route used for a particular product.
PHENYLALANINE: what it does in cosmetics
In cosmetics, phenylalanine can take part in skin and hair conditioning. In everyday terms, conditioning means contributing to a surface being kept in good condition, with a more pleasant skin feel or hair that feels softer, more supple and easier to comb when the formula achieves that purpose.
It is also listed for perfuming, meaning a role connected with adjusting a product's scent. That does not mean phenylalanine by itself has a perfume: the L form is described as odourless. Its status as an essential dietary amino acid is about food, not evidence that a cosmetic containing phenylalanine treats pigmentation, skin disease, hair loss or any other condition.
Products containing this ingredient
See which products include it and the name used in each composition.
