Hydrolyzed Keratin Protein Liquid | Cosmetic Ingredient

Description

Hydrolyzed Keratin Protein Liquid (HK) is a water-soluble protein ingredient made by breaking keratin down into tiny, hair-friendly fragments. It helps strengthen strands, smooth the cuticle, boost shine and hold in moisture, making it a good fit for shampoos, conditioners, hair masks, leave-in treatments and skincare creams.

Keratin is the natural protein that hair, skin and nails are made of. In its raw form it is too big to dissolve in water or to cling to hair. Hydrolysis breaks it into much smaller pieces. This gives you a clear-to-pale liquid that mixes easily into water-based products and can bond to the hair surface.

This ingredient is in liquid form, so there is no powder to dissolve and no lumps to deal with. You measure it out and add it to your formula.

Product details

Key features

• Water-soluble and easy to mix into water-based formulas
• Ready-to-use liquid, with no pre-dissolving needed
• Suited to rinse-off and leave-on haircare products
• Works well in DIY, small-batch and professional formulations
• Can also be used in skincare products such as creams and lotions

Applications: Common uses

• Shampoos and conditioners
• Hair masks and deep conditioning treatments
• Leave-in conditioners and hair sprays
• Heat-protectant products
• Scalp serums and treatments
• Products for damaged, chemically treated, dry or brittle hair
• Skincare creams, lotions and toners (as a film-forming, conditioning ingredient)

Benefits

• Strengthens the look and feel of hair: protein fragments fill in gaps along the hair surface, so strands feel firmer and are less likely to snap.
• Helps reduce breakage: reinforced hair copes better with brushing, styling and heat.
• Smooths the cuticle: hair looks sleeker, feels softer and tangles less.
• Adds shine: a smoother surface reflects more light.
• Helps hold moisture: the thin protein film on the hair helps it keep water in.
• Gives body: hair can feel thicker and fuller, especially when it is fine or limp.

What Is Keratin & Keratin Protein?

Keratin is the protein that hair is made of. In its natural form the pieces are too big to dissolve in water or to stick to hair. Hydrolysis breaks it into very small fragments, so you get a water-soluble liquid you can add straight into a formula.

What it does: The small protein fragments settle into weak spots along the hair surface. This is why it is used to make hair feel stronger, smoother and shinier, and to reduce breakage. It also helps hair hold on to moisture and gives fine hair a bit more body.

It is a good fit if you are making:
– Shampoos, conditioners and hair masks
– Leave-in conditioners and heat-protectant products
– Products for dry, damaged, brittle or chemically treated hair
– Scalp serums or skincare creams (it also works as a conditioning ingredient there)

It may not be the right fit if:
– Your product must be vegan, because keratin is animal-derived.
– Your target customers have protein-sensitive hair, which can feel stiff or straw-like when it gets too much protein. If that is your audience, use a low amount and balance it with moisturising ingredients like oils, butters and humectants.
– Your formula is oil-only or anhydrous, because it is water-based and needs a water phase.

How to use hydrolyzed keratin liquid

1. Weigh the liquid on a scale. Do not rely on spoon measures for accurate formulas.
2. For rinse-off products, add it to the water phase or during the cool-down phase.
3. For creams and lotions, add it during cool-down, below 40°C, after the heated phases.
4. Stir well until it is fully mixed in.
5. Check the pH of your finished product and adjust if needed.

Suggested usage rate

1% to 5% of the total formula. Start at the lower end and increase if you want a stronger effect. Too much protein can leave some hair types feeling stiff or dry, so test your batch before scaling up. Add it during the cool-down phase (below 40°C), and test a small batch before scaling up.

Who it suits

• Formulators and small-batch haircare brands
• DIY makers who want to add protein to their products
• Salons and stylists making custom treatments
• Anyone looking to improve dry, damaged or chemically treated hair

Good to know

• Hair that is already protein-sensitive may feel stiff or straw-like with too much protein. Balance it with moisturising ingredients such as humectants, oils and butters.
• It is not suitable for vegans or vegetarians, because keratin comes from animal sources.
• Always patch test your finished product before use.
• For cosmetic use only. Not for consumption.

Storage

Keep the bottle tightly closed, in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat. Use clean tools every time you scoop or pour. Once opened, use it within the shelf life stated on the label.

Frequently asked questions

What is hydrolyzed keratin used for?
It is used to make hair look and feel stronger, smoother and shinier. Formulators add it to shampoos, conditioners, masks and leave-in products.

How much should I use in my formula?
Between 1% and 5% of the total formula. Start low and test.

Is it water-soluble?
Yes. It mixes into the water phase of your formula and does not need to be dissolved first.

When do I add it to my formula?
Add it during the cool-down phase, below 40°C, so that heat does not affect it.

Can I use it on all hair types?
Most hair types benefit, especially damaged, dry, brittle or chemically treated hair. If your hair is very fine or protein-sensitive, use a lower amount and balance it with moisturising ingredients.

Can I use it in skincare as well as haircare?
Yes. It can be used in creams, lotions and toners for its conditioning and film-forming properties.

Is it vegan?
No. Keratin is an animal-derived protein.

Do you ship across Nigeria and internationally?
Yes, we ship nationwide and internationally. Shipping is paid by the customer.