Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein is a protein derived from wheat (Triticum aestivum) that has undergone hydrolysis, breaking it down into smaller amino acids and peptides. Known for its hydrating, strengthening, and nourishing properties, this ingredient helps improve hair elasticity and maintain skin hydration and softness. Primarily used in hair and skincare products, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein is ideal for formulations targeting damaged hair or dry skin.

Chemical Composition and Structure

This protein consists of amino acids and peptides obtained from the breakdown of wheat proteins. Hydrolysis reduces the protein’s molecular size, enhancing its ability to penetrate hair and skin, thereby improving moisture retention. Bioactive amino acids such as glutamine and proline help reinforce hair structure, improve hair resilience, and support skin regeneration.

Physical Properties

It is typically available as a clear or slightly yellowish liquid, water-soluble, and easily incorporated into shampoos, conditioners, moisturizers, and lotions. Its lightweight texture enables even distribution and provides hydrating and strengthening effects without weighing down hair or skin.

Production Process

Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein is produced through the hydrolysis of wheat proteins via enzymatic or chemical processes, breaking down the proteins into smaller components like amino acids and peptides. This process enhances the stability and efficacy of the ingredient, making it suitable for use in cosmetic products.

Applications

• Medical: Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein is studied for its hydrating and regenerative properties, with potential applications in treatments for sensitive and dehydrated skin.

• Cosmetics: Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein is used in hair care products to improve elasticity and strength, aiding in the repair of damaged hair. In skincare, it helps retain moisture and enhance softness, making it ideal for shampoos, conditioners, lotions, and creams.

INCI Functions:

Antistatic agent. Static electricity build-up has a direct influence on products and causes electrostatic adsorption. The antistatic ingredient reduces static build-up and surface resistivity on the surface of the skin and hair.

Hair conditioning agent. A significant number of ingredients with specific and targeted purposes may co-exist in hair shampoo formulations: cleansers, conditioners, thickeners, matting agents, sequestering agents, fragrances, preservatives, special additives. However, the indispensable ingredients are the cleansers and conditioners as they are necessary and sufficient for hair cleansing and manageability. The others act as commercial and non-essential auxiliaries such as: appearance, fragrance, colouring, etc. Hair conditioning agents have the task of increasing shine, manageability and volume, and reducing static electricity, especially after treatments such as colouring, ironing, waving, drying and brushing. They are, in practice, dispersants that may contain cationic surfactants, thickeners, emollients, polymers. The typology of hair conditioning agents includes: intensive conditioners, instant conditioners, thickening conditioners, drying conditioners. They can perform their task generally accompanied by other different ingredients.

Skin conditioning agent. It is the mainstay of topical skin treatment as it has the function of restoring, increasing or improving skin tolerance to external factors, including melanocyte tolerance. The most important function of the conditioning agent is to prevent skin dehydration, but the subject is rather complex and involves emollients and humectants that can be added in the formulation.

CAS     94350-06-8   222400-28-4   70084-87-6   100209- 50-5

EC number    305-225-0  309-358-5

Cosmetic safety

Restricted cosmetic ingredient as III/307 a Relevant Item in the Annexes of the European Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009.      Protein hydrolyzates, wheat germ. Substance obtained by acidic, alkaline, or enzymatic hydrolysis of wheat germ composed primarily of amino acids, peptides, and proteins. It may contain impurities consisting chiefly of carbohydrates and lipids along with smaller quantities of miscellaneous organic substances of biological origin.

References__________________________________________________________________________

Burnett C, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Hill RA, Klaassen CD, Liebler DC, Marks JG Jr, Shank RC, Slaga TJ, Snyder PW, Andersen FA, Heldreth B. Safety Assessment of Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein and Hydrolyzed Wheat Gluten as Used in Cosmetics. Int J Toxicol. 2018 May/Jun;37(1_suppl):55S-66S. doi: 10.1177/1091581818776013. 

Abstract. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel (Panel) reviewed the product use, formulation, and safety data on hydrolyzed wheat protein and hydrolyzed wheat gluten, which function as skin- and hair-conditioning agents. The Panel determined that data from clinical and laboratory studies were sufficient to demonstrate that these ingredients will not elicit type 1 immediate hypersensitivity reactions in sensitized individuals and will not induce sensitization when the polypeptide lengths of the hydrolysates do not exceed 30 amino acids. The Panel concluded that hydrolyzed wheat gluten and hydrolyzed wheat protein are safe for use in cosmetics when formulated to restrict peptides to an average molecular weight of 3,500 Da or less.

Christensen MJ, Stahl Skov P, Poulsen LK, Bindslev-Jensen C, Mortz CG. Clinical relevance of sensitization to hydrolyzed wheat protein in wheat-sensitized subjects. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2018 Feb;141(2):802-805.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2017.09.016. Epub 2017 Oct 13. PMID: 29031598.

Fukutomi Y, Taniguchi M, Nakamura H, Akiyama K. Epidemiological link between wheat allergy and exposure to hydrolyzed wheat protein in facial soap. Allergy. 2014 Oct;69(10):1405-11. doi: 10.1111/all.12481. Epub 2014 Aug 16. PMID: 25040662.