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Under The Microscope: Silk Amino Acids

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In the world of cosmetics, companies use all sorts of buzzwords in an attempt to sell their products. Ads throw around words like “natural” and “organic”, and this also extends to what I like to call buzz-ingredients. Many shampoos and soaps advertise how they include fancy additions, such as botanical extracts, essential oils and silk amino acids. 

That last one sounds ideal: silky smooth, protein building blocks that make your hair gloss like something out of a magazine. Although most of us don’t fully understand the specifics or mechanism of operation, we know it’s going to provide us with the smoothness we crave. The words “silk amino acids” bring up visuals of silky-smooth hair and – somehow – that’s exactly what you get! I’m a big fan of giving my hair the TLC it deserves, which is why the idea of using silk amino acids for hair grabbed my attention.

Silk itself has long been touted as the “princess of fibers”. This is due to its paradoxical strength and delicacy. Because the name seems to indicate the valuable contributions from this ingredient, I never sought to learn what they actually were or how they benefited my hair and skin. For a substance that gives hair superior nourishment, it seems to be deserving of some explanation.

Let’s take a look at the science behind how this addition makes your hair so beautiful. But before we dive in, I think we should cover the basics first. What exactly is your hair structure, and where do silk amino acids come into the picture?

What Is Hair Structure? Hair Structure Explained

womans hair flip

Woman with healthy hair.

The outermost layer of your hair is called the cuticle. This layer of the hair is the part that works the hardest to protect the inner structure and prevent short- and long-term damage. The middle layer is known as the cortex and it really makes up most of what we associate with our hair: the color, texture, and strength. The innermost layer is called the medulla, and is commonly only present in extremely thick hair.

Oftentimes, when your hair becomes damaged, the damage is really only done to the cuticle of the hair. When you use heat tools, harmful chemicals, and different kinds of stressors on the hair, it weakens the cuticle which then allows for more severe damage to permeate the rest of the hair strand.

If the outer layer is weak, the whole structure is compromised. It might sound a little dramatic, but the better you know your hair, the better armed you are to take care of it properly. Looking after your hair isn’t just about making sure that it looks good, but also about ensuring that it’s actually living its healthiest life. True, some of that comes simply from looking at it externally and noticing various issues, but knowing the structure of the hair strand is the first part of understanding your hair’s needs.

Your hair grows from the roots, which is why scalp health is so important to overall hair health. The roots are located at the bottom of the hair strand. The strand is made up of cells of protein. The protein is keratin and is also a major protein in your nails. The fact that your hair is made up of protein means that it’s essential to get adequate amounts of this nutrient in your diet. Better yet, what if you could apply it directly to your hair to help fortify your hair structure? That’s where the use of specific haircare ingredients comes into play. Enter: Silk Amino Acids.

The Science Behind Silk Amino Acids

The name comes from more than just the lovely hair texture that results from use. Silk amino acids are the proteins that bind together the silk fibers from silkworms. To better understand what silk amino acids are and how they can help your self-care routine, let’s take a look at their composition. L-Alanine (34.36%) makes up most of the substance which is a nonessential amino acid, meaning that it can be naturally produced by the body. The rest is made up of Glycine, which contributes heavily to protein development and higher sleep quality. It also contains L-Serine which has a variety of physiological benefits, including facilitating metabolism and acting as the precursor to amino acids (including Glycine).

As if that weren’t enough, silk amino acids also contain small amounts of L-Valine, L-Threonine and additional amino acids which are all necessary for our bodily functions. The bottom line is that silkworms sure know a thing or two about human health!

These amino acids all work together to build a protein called Sericin. Depending on the specific amino acid sequence, the type of Sericin will change. Sericin is particularly beneficial to the skin in a protective sense, as well as being good at increasing moisture. So, now that you know what silk amino acids are, we can address the question of how and why they work.

Why Do Silk Amino Acids Work?

Dry hair can be a pain, so try Kerastase Bain Force Architecte Shampoo for proper dry hair treatment!

Hair treatment.

Silk amino acids are susceptible to the action of proteolytic enzymes. Technical terms aside, it’s basically like the protein you might find in an almond snack. These proteins have beneficial properties, including the ability to hold onto moisture and cling to the skin. Being rich in nutrients allows the silk amino acids to rejuvenate and hydrate both hair and skin. Moreover, silk amino acids in cosmetics bring therapeutic benefits. In fact, the ability to retain moisture in the long term makes this ingredient a very valuable staple of hair products. Dry hair, for example, is often a result of your hair’s inability to hold onto moisture. So, instead of coating your hair in synthetic moisturizers, silk amino acids address the root of the problem by facilitating natural moisture retention.

Ultimately, silk amino acids benefit your hair because their water-binding capacity regulates moisture content. This results in a tightening, anti-wrinkle effect. Last but not least, because of their low molecular weight, the amino acids easily penetrate deep into the hair cuticle and layers of skin. They add a protective barrier that stays there even after washing, which helps to maintain long-lasting moisture.

Where To Find Silk Amino Acids

Silk Worm Feeding On Mulberry Leaves

Now that you know some of the science behind silk amino acids, you must be eager to lather them all over your locks. The good news is that they aren’t too tough to find. Because these amino acids retain moisture really well, many cosmetics companies choose to add them to shampoo and conditioners, as well as other hair care products. On your next drugstore run, check the ingredients label for that silky addition to get the shine you want. The bottle doesn’t lie… the silk amino acids really do leave your hair feeling silky smooth.

Our own Silk18 here at Maple Holistics uses silk amino acids to provide you with that dreamy smoothness. Silk amino acids have an extremely small particle size, and this means that they’re able to penetrate deep into the hair cortex. This manages to strengthen and fortify the hair from within. Your hair will thank you for providing it with the hydration, protein, and nourishment it needs. Silk amino acids work to create a protective, moisturized layer on hair and skin. As a result, these ingredients are also ideal for lubricants and body lotions. When you hear someone exclaim “silky smooth!” about their hair or body, there’s a good chance they’ve been using a cosmetic with silk amino acids in the ingredients list.

Benefits Of Silk Amino Acids

There are many products and treatments that can help enhance the overall look and feel of your hair and skin. Silk amino acids are one of the most popular proteins for moisturizing and nourishing hair and skin. They are an excellent source of hydration on their own, due to their water-absorption qualities. Silk amino acids can be used topically in their liquid form or they can be bought in powdered form. This, therefore, makes silk amino acids ideal for DIY beauty and wellness projects! The options are limitless but you can add them to creams, lotions and different cosmetics. 

These natural amino acids are an excellent supplement to hydrate your hair and skin, making them feel beautiful and silky smooth. The amino acids are so small that they are very easily able to be absorbed by your hair and skin. Therefore, their main benefit is in strengthening your hair and skin, while also promoting its moisturization and improving your overall appearance!

Silk Amino Acids For Hair

Woman With Silky Hair

Silk amino acids are super beneficial for our hair. In particular, the silk proteins bind to the keratin in our hair. This not only repairs damaged and dry locks, but also seals in moisture making out hair feel stronger and look shinier. When used on our hair, the proteins found in silk amino acids create a chemical reaction with the keratin. This allows it to bind more effectively onto our strands and strengthens the individual locks to help repair damaged and brittle hair. 

Likewise, this bond between the amino acids and keratin forms a protective layer over your hair. It individually creates a protective coating over each strand. This adds luster to your tresses, making them feel smoother and improving the appearance of your hair. It is for this reason that silk amino acids are a fixture in many hairsprays, shampoos and conditioners. The benefits to your hair are immense, and it’s a very easy product to add to your everyday hair care routine.

This extra hydration silk amino acids add to your tresses make your hair a lot more manageable and less prone to breakage. Thus, if you want to grow your hair out, the amino acids not only help you grow long and healthy hair by leading to length retention, but they soften your hair and lessen the frizz. This protective barrier also means that you will have luscious-looking and beautiful hair that you can flaunt every single day. Silk amino acids are a natural material, which provides your hair with the nutrients it needs to thrive. 

Silk Amino Acids For Skin

Woman with a flower crown

Woman With Perfect Skin

While this blog post is mainly about silk amino acids for hair, I feel that we should talk about the skin benefits too. Similar to how the silk amino acids work on your hair, they do the same thing for your skin. When applied to the skin, the amino acids are readily absorbed and create a protective layer.  This occurs because the amino acids bind with the keratin that’s also present in your skin cells. Thus, it works by adding hydration to your skin while also retaining your natural moisture at the same time. 

Besides keeping your skin moisturized, silk amino acids are also great at protecting your skin from ultraviolet rays. Their nutrient-dense compounds help to protect your skin from the sun’s potentially harmful light. Simultaneously, using silk amino acids really helps to reduce signs of aging and wrinkles, due to their antioxidant qualities. The proteins in the silk assist your skin in maintaining its elasticity, refreshing your skin tone, and lessening fine lines. It does this by hydrating your skin tissue due to its low molecular weight. Thus, it can penetrate the upper layers of your dermis and cuticles, leaving them dewy and moisturized.

Research has also suggested that silk amino acids are able to support the production of collagen. Collagen is the fibers that build up the structure and plumpness of skin, which in turn help you look youthful and healthy. The reason for this could be due to silk’s ability to effectively absorb and retain moisture. Specifically, the outermost layer of the skin benefits the most from these amino acids. Your skin requires water and moisture so that it can function at its optimum level. Thus, using these amino acids in your skincare results in improving your skin’s (and also your hair’s) water content, increasing elasticity and promoting the production of collagen.

What About The Silkworms?

A silkworm coming out of its cocoon

Silkworm cocoon for silk shampoo.

In general, it’s important to be aware of what you purchase and where you purchase it from. When you put honey in your tea, a population of bees worked hard to create that sweet heaven. Similarly, silk products bring incredible benefits, all as a result of the hard work of silkworms. Appreciate the work that went into creating this product – not just the labor carried out by humans! Because the production of silk products involves other species, it’s necessary to ensure that these products are cruelty-free. The generic producers boil the silkworms alive, take their cocoons, and extract the silk amino acids for human benefit.

Boiling them alive and stealing their little nest – it just doesn’t sit well with my moral code. Although I haven’t fully committed to the vegan way of life, I think that animal safety and the value of our environment cannot be understated. I have tremendous respect for vegans. This is why it’s important to note that not all silk ingredients are cultivated this way. There are cruelty-free methods, and it’s well worth the time to take an extra minute to check for these.

Rather than brutally killing the worms and stealing their little houses, ethical companies give the silkworms the time they need to leave the cocoons according to their natural life cycle. The animal life cycle is a beautiful thing to watch, and any company that respects this is the company for me. Once the silkworms have inched along to their next life endeavors, the ethically-conscious producers collect the cocoons left behind. 

Be good to your health and our world. Care for your hair without compromising your morals, by buying the silk you need from the companies that don’t stoop to inhumane levels. The fact of the matter is that this is actually a lot easier than you might think.

The Importance Of Avoiding Chemicals In Shampoo Explained

Woman reading the label of a shampoo bottle.

Chemicals in shampoos.

The awareness of the importance of avoiding harmful chemicals in our beauty products is becoming increasingly popular, and rightly so. Chemical-based shampoos have the potential to do more harm than good in the long run. What we put onto our skin is eventually absorbed into our bodies, at least to some degree. This means that all those potentially-harmful chemicals can do real harm to our bodies over the course of time.

The problem is that some of us don’t even know what we’re supposed to be looking out for. Becoming a conscious consumer means getting comfortable with reading ingredients labels. Ingredients to be particularly cautious of are sulfates, phthalates and parabens. 

It’s also important to know your own body to know what to avoid. Although it’s true that certain chemicals, in general, aren’t the best solution for your skin, natural methods are rarely a one-size-fits-all. That’s where holistic health comes in and steals the show. Understanding your body as one system allows you to make the best ingredient choices for your body – so you can look and feel your best!

Conclusion

If you struggle with dry skin or hair, silk amino acids could be your saving grace. The “princess of fibers” contains quality proteins to strengthen and moisturize your hair from the inside out. The best part is that there’s no need to go to the forest looking for these little cocoons. The silkworms’ little nests are more accessible than a chance discovery in a tree. There are so many cosmetics and shampoos on the market with this magical ingredient.

Although cruelty-free options are available, I think there’s something to be said for the fact that this is an ingredient that doesn’t (or might not) sit well with vegans. As a lover of animals and their environment, I hear the dilemma. There are other silk sources besides for silkworms, but these are the richest producers of the popular protein. It doesn’t necessarily validate their use, but if you’re vegan it’s good to know that you don’t have to miss out entirely.

Check out the best cruelty-free options to give your skin and hair the hydration and nourishment that they deserve. Treat yourself to a shampoo or lotion with silk amino acids, and bring a little extra smoothness into your life. But don’t forget to avoid those added harmful chemicals wherever possible.  Silk amino acids are the ingredient to look out for in the endeavor for silky-smooth, nourished locks. If you’re not sure where to start, our Silk18 Shampoo and Conditioner could be just the hair care set for you! Whichever way you look at it, your hair needs protein, and silk sounds like a pretty luxurious way to provide it, if you ask me. As long as it’s natural, you can sign me up!