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Amino Acids

Suitable Skin Types

Highlights of Amino Acids

  • Attracts and retains moisture
  • Builds collagen which improves firmness and skin elasticity
  • Fortifies skin barrier
  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Well tolerated by all skin types, including sensitive skin

Discover more about Amino Acids

Products Containing Amino Acids

Showing 1–12 of 56 results

What are Amino Acids?

Amino acids are organic compounds that serve as the building blocks of proteins. They are essential for various biological processes in living organisms.1

For optimal function, the body requires 20 different amino acids.2 We can categorise them into two groups: essential and non-essential. The term “non-essential” doesn’t imply these amino acids are unimportant. Instead, it signifies that our bodies can synthesise them on their own. Therefore, it’s not essential to obtain them solely through food or supplements.

Essential amino acids – histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan and valine. Best sources are from animal proteins including seafood, beef, poultry, eggs and dairy. Vegan sources include soy, beans and nuts.

Non-essential amino acids – alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, proline, serine and tyrosine.

What can Amino Acids do for your skin?

  • Hydration – acting as humectants, amino acids attract and retain moisture, keeping skin feeling supple.3 When combined with other hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, they provide an even greater moisture boost, leaving skin feeling soft and well-hydrated.
  • Skin repair, renewal and building collagen – amino acids can stimulate skin cell turnover, promoting a fresher, more youthful appearance.2 Certain amino acids, like proline, lysine, and glycine, contribute to collagen synthesis, which helps maintain skin firmness and elasticity.4 So next time you scan ingredient lists, keep an eye out for these beneficial amino acids.
  • Antioxidants – amino acids such as histidine and glutamine have antioxidant properties that help fight off free radicals and protect the skin against oxidative damage.1
  • Skin Soothing: amino acids such as serine and glycine, possess anti-inflammatory properties. This can help calm redness and irritation, making them beneficial for individuals with sensitive skin.

How do you use Amino Acids?

 

Similar to peptides, amino acids function best when delivered through leave-on products like serums, moisturisers, toners, eye creams, and leave-on masks. This allows for deeper penetration and enhanced absorption into the skin, maximising their effectiveness.

While amino acids offer various benefits on their own, they can truly shine when combined with other supportive ingredients. These include ingredients such as ceramides, fatty acids, peptides and hyaluronic acid.

Within the world of amino acids, some stand out for their unique properties. Look out for super star amino acids like arginine, lysine, proline, histidine, glycine, and leucine. As with any new skincare product, a patch test is highly recommended before using amino acids on a larger area. This helps identify any potential allergies.

Amazing skincare containing amino acids include Bonajour’s Eggplant Daily BHA Water Cream, a soothing and highly moisturising cream for troubled skin. A plumping boost with Mary & May’s Collagen Peptide Vital Mask, and watch your lashes grow and strengthen with Benton’s Honest Eyelash Serum.

Can you use Amino Acids when you are pregnant?

While topical application of amino acids are generally considered safe, pregnant and breastfeeding individuals may want to exercise caution before incorporating it into their skincare routine. Amino acids are often formulated with other active ingredients such as retinol and salicylic acids which should be avoided during pregnancy. We strongly advise consulting your healthcare provider before introducing products containing amino acids into your skincare routine.

SOURCES

1 Stefan Bröer, Angelika Bröer; Amino acid homeostasis and signalling in mammalian cells and organisms. Biochem J 15 June 2017; 474 (12): 1935–1963. doi: Link

2 Xu, N., Chen, G., & Liu, H. (2017). Antioxidative Categorization of Twenty Amino Acids Based on Experimental Evaluation. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 22(12), 2066. Link

3 Diaz I, Namkoong J, Wu JQ, Giancola G. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2022 Jul;21(7):3046-3052. Amino acid complex (AAComplex) benefits in cosmetic products: In vitro and in vivo clinical studies. Link

4 Karna, E., Szoka, L., Huynh, T.Y.L. et al. Cell. Mol. Life Sci. 77, 1911–1918 (2020). Proline-dependent regulation of collagen metabolism. Link

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