Hydrolyzed Soy Protein is a naturally occurring ingredient derived from soybeans composed mainly of amino acids, peptides and proteins and are used in cosmetic formulations for their conditioning and moisturizing properties.

Industrial Production Process

• Preparation of reagents. The main reagents include soybeans and water. The enzymes or acids required for hydrolysis are prepared according to the technique used.
• Extraction of soy proteins. The soybeans are washed, dehulled, and ground. The resulting soybean flour is then mixed with water and treated to extract the proteins.
• Hydrolysis. The extracted soy proteins undergo enzymatic or acidic hydrolysis. If enzymatic hydrolysis is used, specific enzymes are added to break down the proteins into smaller peptides and amino acids. If acidic hydrolysis is used, an acid such as hydrochloric acid is added to achieve the same result.
• Neutralization. In the case of acidic hydrolysis, the mixture is neutralized with a base, such as sodium hydroxide, to bring the pH to a safe level.
• Filtration and removal of impurities. The hydrolyzed mixture is filtered to remove impurities and insoluble residues.
• Concentration. The filtered solution is concentrated to remove excess water and increase the concentration of the hydrolyzed proteins.
• Stabilization. The hydrolyzed proteins are stabilized to ensure their stability during transportation and storage, preventing degradation.
• Quality control. The hydrolyzed proteins undergo rigorous quality testing to ensure they meet standards for purity, efficacy, and safety. These tests include chemical analysis, spectroscopy, and microbiological testing.

What it is used for and where

Hydrolyzed Soy Protein is extracted from the soybean and then subjected to a hydrolysis process to make it more readily absorbable by the skin and hair. This ingredient is valued for its ability to improve the texture and elasticity of both skin and hair, providing essential nutrients that help to strengthen and protect. It is commonly used in a variety of products including shampoos, conditioners, skin treatments, and anti-aging products. Hydrolyzed soy protein helps to retain moisture, increase softness, and contributes to reducing breakage and thinning of hair.

Cosmetics - 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.
• Humectant. Hygroscopic compound used to minimise water loss in the skin and to prevent it from drying out by facilitating faster and greater absorption of water into the stratum corneum of the epidermis.  The epidermis is the most superficial of the three layers that make up human skin (epidermis, dermis and hypodermis) and is the layer that maintains hydration in all three layers. In turn, the epidermis is composed of five layers: horny, the most superficial, granular, spinous, shiny, and basal. Humectants have the ability to retain the water they attract from the air in the stratum corneum and have the function of moisturising the skin. They are best used before emollients, which are oil-based.
• 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    68607-88-5

EC number        271-770-5

Cosmetic Applications

Moisturization. Hydrolyzed Soy Protein helps keep skin and hair hydrated by binding moisture and increasing their water retention capacity.

Repairing Effect. Improves the structure of damaged hair, helping to repair and strengthen hair fibers from physical and chemical stress.

Anti-Aging Benefits for Skin. Stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, contributing to improved skin elasticity and reducing the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles.

Protection. Forms a protective film on skin and hair, shielding them from harmful environmental factors such as pollutants and UV rays.

Versatile Applications. It is used in a wide range of products, including shampoos, conditioners, hair masks, lotions, creams, and serums.

Other Applications

Food Industry. Hydrolyzed Soy Protein is used as a food additive to improve the texture and nutrition of various foods.

Pet Care Products. Employed in pet shampoos and conditioners to enhance the health and shine of pet fur.

Nutritional Supplements. Used in supplements to leverage its protein benefits and support in maintaining muscle mass.