Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein

Hydrolyzed vegetable protein is a skin conditioning, water-binding ingredient used in formulas to help promote balanced hydration. Like its name implies, it’s vegetable derived (potatoes, corn, soy, legume, peas, etc.) and made up of skin-friendly amino acids, proteins and peptides.

To create this ingredient, vegetable proteins must undergo hydrolysis via acid or enzyme which breaks them down into smaller “pieces.” The result? Made-for-skin (or food- these ingredients are also used in the food industry) vegetable-derived amino acids and peptides that improve hydration and help smooth the look of skin through moisture-related plumpness.

Hydrolyzed vegetable protein isn’t the same thing as vegetable collagen. Vegetable collagen is a colloquial term used by ingredient suppliers to refer to blends of plant-derived, collagen-like ingredients. The ingredients that make up vegetable collagen blends vary from brand-to-brand. Hydrolyzed vegetable protein is a verified INCI name and ingredient.

The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel reviewed hydrolyzed vegetable protein and deemed it as safe for use in cosmetics at current concentration levels (0.0%-0.0025%).

Hydrolyzed vegetable protein is also used in hair care where it can help hydrate, strengthen and provide anti-static benefits.