Keratin
AKA “Hair Protein”
Skin Conditioning
Tap what applies — every card instantly flags it for you. Stays on your device, syncs if you're signed in.
Ingredient Facts
Keratin
AKA: Hair Protein
Skin Conditioning · Hair Conditioning · EWG: 2
Synthetic
Skin Conditioner
Hair Care
Clean
Keratins. Natural, fibrous proteins occurring in vertebrates. They contain all of the common amino acids and are characterized by high cystine content
CAS #
68238-35-7
Form
Powder
State
Solid
See origin →
Functions
Hair Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Locks in moisture
Traditional Use
The structural protein from animal sources (wool, hair, nails) has been used in traditional medicine for centuries; modern extraction and stabilization of keratin for cosmetics began in the early 20th century and was popularized in the 1980s-1990s for hair conditioning treatments.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
Rough Texture
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
Citrus sudachi Peel Extract Suppresses Cell Proliferation and Promotes the Differentiation of Keratinocytes through Inhibition of the EGFR-ERK Signali
Abe S, Ueno M, Nishitani M, Akamatsu T, Sato T et al.
Biomolecules, 2020
Keratin 6A promotes skin inflammation through JAK1-STAT3 ...
Mengting Chen, Yaling Wang, Mei Wang, San Xu, Zixin Tan, Yisheng Cai + 4 more
Journal of biomedical science, 2025
Keratin 6A promotes skin inflammation through JAK1-STAT3 ...
Mengting Chen, Yaling Wang, Mei Wang, San Xu, Zixin Tan, Yisheng Cai + 4 more
Journal of biomedical science, 2025
Keratin 6A promotes skin inflammation through JAK1-STAT3 ...
Mengting Chen, Yaling Wang, Mei Wang, San Xu, Zixin Tan, Yisheng Cai + 4 more
Journal of biomedical science, 2025
Anti-Allergic and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Undecane on Mast Cells and Keratinocytes.
Choi D, Kang W, Park T
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 2020
Safety Assessment of Keratin and Keratin-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Interleukin-1 production after treatment with non-ionic surfactants in a murine keratinocytes cell line.
Corsini E, Marinovich M, Marabini L, Chiesara E, Galli CL
Toxicology in vitro : an international journal published in association with BIBRA, 1994
Capryloyl Keratin Amino Acids
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Hydrolyzed Keratin
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Hydrolyzed Oxidized Keratin
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Hydrolyzed Sulfonated Keratin
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Keratin
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Keratin Amino Acids
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Oxidized Keratin
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Palmitoyl Keratin Amino Acids
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Sodium/TEA-Lauroyl Keratin Amino Acids
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Sulfonated Keratin
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
TEA-Lauroyl Keratin Amino Acids
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of 1,2-decanediol and willow bark extract in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated keratinocytes.
Di Caprio R, Monfrecola G, Balato A, Balato N, Gasparri F et al.
Giornale italiano di dermatologia e venereologia : organo ufficiale, Societa italiana di dermatologia e sifilografia, 2019
Hair Keratin Amino Acids
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Hydrolyzed Hair Keratin
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Hydrolyzed Keratin
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Keratin
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Keratin Amino Acids
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Oxidized Keratin
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
A Potential Role of Keratinocyte-Derived Bilirubin in Human Skin Yellowness and Its Amelioration by Sucrose Laurate/Dilaurate.
Fang B, Card PD, Chen J, Li L, Laughlin T et al.
International journal of molecular sciences, 2022
A Potential Role of Keratinocyte-Derived Bilirubin in Human Skin Yellowness and Its Amelioration by Sucrose Laurate/Dilaurate.
Fang B, Card PD, Chen J, Li L, Laughlin T et al.
International journal of molecular sciences, 2022
Degradation of keratin and collagen containing wastes by newly isolated thermoactinomycetes or by alkaline hydrolysis.
Gousterova A, Braikova D, Goshev I, Christov P, Tishinov K et al.
Letters in applied microbiology, 2005
Keratin
Health Canada
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Suppression of Fas-mediated apoptosis of keratinocyte cells by chikusetsusaponins isolated from the roots of Panax japonicus.
Hosono-Nishiyama K, Matsumoto T, Kiyohara H, Nishizawa A, Atsumi T et al.
Planta medica, 2006
Effect of Chimpi, dried citrus peel, on aquaporin-3 expression in HaCaT human epidermal keratinocytes.
Ikarashi N, Kaneko M, Wakana D, Shinozaki Y, Tabata K et al.
Molecular biology reports, 2022
1,2,4-trihydroxybenzene induces stress granule formation and causes DNA damage in human keratinocytes.
Jung DM, Kwon E, Choi S, Kim KK
Toxicology in vitro : an international journal published in association with BIBRA, 2023
Sodium dl-α-tocopheryl-6-O-phosphate inhibits PGE₂ production in keratinocytes induced by UVB, IL-1β and peroxidants.
Kato E, Sasaki Y, Takahashi N
Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry, 2011
Antioxidant effects of phenolic compounds in through the distillation of Lonicera japonica & Chenpi extract and anti-inflammation on skin keratinocyte
Kim HH, Jeong SH, Park MY, Bhosale PB, Abusaliya A et al.
Scientific reports, 2023
Antioxidant effects of phenolic compounds in through the distillation of Lonicera japonica & Chenpi extract and anti-inflammation on skin keratinocyte
Kim HH, Jeong SH, Park MY, Bhosale PB, Abusaliya A et al.
Scientific reports, 2023
Antioxidant effects of phenolic compounds in through the distillation of Lonicera japonica & Chenpi extract and anti-inflammation on skin keratinocyte
Kim HH, Jeong SH, Park MY, Bhosale PB, Abusaliya A et al.
Scientific reports, 2023
Antioxidant effects of phenolic compounds in through the distillation of Lonicera japonica & Chenpi extract and anti-inflammation on skin keratinocyte
Kim HH, Jeong SH, Park MY, Bhosale PB, Abusaliya A et al.
Scientific reports, 2023
Efficacy and Safety of Epidermidibacterium Keratini EPI-7 Derived Postbiotics in Skin Aging: A Prospective Clinical Study.
Kim J, Lee YI, Mun S, Jeong J, Lee DG et al.
International journal of molecular sciences, 2023
The influence of surfactants and hydrolyzed proteins on keratinocytes viability and elasticity.
Kobiela T, Lelen-Kaminska K, Stepulak M, Lekka M, Malejczyk M et al.
Skin research and technology : official journal of International Society for Bioengineering and the Skin (ISBS) [and] International Society for Digital Imaging of Skin (ISDIS) [and] International Society for Skin Imaging (ISSI), 2013
Macrocystis pyrifera Lipids Reduce Cytokine-Induced Pro-Inflammatory Signalling and Barrier Dysfunction in Human Keratinocyte Models.
Kok JML, Dowd GC, Cabral JD, Wise LM
International journal of molecular sciences, 2023
Macrocystis pyrifera Lipids Reduce Cytokine-Induced Pro-Inflammatory Signalling and Barrier Dysfunction in Human Keratinocyte Models.
Kok JML, Dowd GC, Cabral JD, Wise LM
International journal of molecular sciences, 2023
Keratin Biomaterials in Skin Wound Healing, an Old Player...
Marek Konop, Mateusz Rybka, Adrian Drapała
Pharmaceutics, 2021
Regulation of tight junction permeability by sodium caprate in human keratinocytes and reconstructed epidermis.
Kurasawa M, Kuroda S, Kida N, Murata M, Oba A et al.
Biochemical and biophysical research communications, 2009
Ecklonia cava Extract and Dieckol Attenuate Cellular Lipid Peroxidation in Keratinocytes Exposed to PM10.
Lee JW, Seok JK, Boo YC
Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2018
Keratin hydrolysis by dermatophytes.
Mercer DK, Stewart CS
Medical mycology, 2019
Keratinolytic protease from Pseudomonas aeruginosa for leather skin processing.
Moonnee YA, Foysal MJ, Hashem A, Miah MF
Journal, genetic engineering & biotechnology, 2021
In Situ Synthesis of Keratin and Melanin Chromophoric Submicron Particles.
Nowogrodski C, Damatov Y, Sapru S, Shoseyov O
ACS omega, 2023
In Situ Synthesis of Keratin and Melanin Chromophoric Submicron Particles.
Nowogrodski C, Damatov Y, Sapru S, Shoseyov O
ACS omega, 2023
Anti-Photoaging Effect of Phaseolus angularis L. Extract on UVB-Exposed HaCaT Keratinocytes and Possibilities as Cosmetic Materials.
Oh S, Zheng S, Fang M, Kim M, Bellere AD et al.
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 2023
Anti-senescence and anti-apoptotic effects of immature Citrus unshiu peel ethanol extract on ultraviolet B-irradiated skin keratinocytes.
Piao MJ, Kang KA, Fernando PDSM, Herath HMUL, Senavirathna HMMM et al.
Toxicological research, 2025
Unveiling the Ability of Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana L.) Bark Extract to Impair Keratinocyte Inflammatory Cascade Typical of Atopic Eczema.
Piazza S, Martinelli G, Magnavacca A, Fumagalli M, Pozzoli C et al.
International journal of molecular sciences, 2022
Phenolic-enriched maple syrup extract protects human keratinocytes against hydrogen peroxide and methylglyoxal induced cytotoxicity.
Sheng J, Liu C, Petrovas S, Wan Y, Chen HD et al.
Dermatologic therapy, 2020
Wool-derived keratin stimulates human keratinocyte migration and types IV and VII collagen expression.
Tang L, Sierra JO, Kelly R, Kirsner RS, Li J
Experimental dermatology, 2012
Brazilian keratin hair treatment: a review.
Courtney Weathersby, Amy McMichael
Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 2013
Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate Potentiates an Anti-Inflammaging System in Keratinocytes.
Yan X, Tsuji G, Hashimoto-Hachiya A, Furue M
Journal of clinical medicine, 2022
Chimyl Alcohol Suppresses PGE(2) Synthesis by Human Epidermal Keratinocytes through the Activation of PPAR-γ.
Yokota M, Yahagi S, Tokudome Y, Masaki H
Journal of oleo science, 2018
Protective Effects of Grapefruit Essential Oil against Staphylococcus Aureus-Induced Inflammation and Cell Damage in Human Epidermal Keratinocytes.
Zhang X, Xu H, Hua J, Zhu Z, Wang M
Chemistry & biodiversity, 2022
Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR