The skin is a very susceptible organ, which can hardly be refined. Nowadays, many people are worried about Lecithin in skin care products.
These studies claim that lactic acid, alpha-keto acids, polyphenols, and antioxidants improve skin complexion.
This post aims to confirm whether lecithin is suitable for your skincare.
What is Lecithin in Skin Care?
Lecithin’s primary function in skin care products is to improve the absorption of vitamins A and D through your skin.
According to Dr. Susan Swithers, a professor of biochemistry at Purdue University School of Medicine, said “Vitamin A is essential for normal cell growth, DNA synthesis, and repair, wound healing and growth differentiation.”
She adds that vitamin D also plays an essential role in maintaining healthy bones and teeth and overall cellular health.
Pros and Cons of Lecithin
Here are the pros and cons of lecithin:
Pros of Lecithin
– It is a natural and non-toxic moisturizer that works to keep your skin plump, soft, and well hydrated.
– It aids in protecting the skin from outside environmental pollutants by forming a protective film over the skin’s surface.
– It is an excellent anti-aging ingredient that helps to prevent wrinkles and fine lines from developing.
– It strengthens the cell walls, improves elasticity, and promotes healing.
– It helps exfoliate dead skin cells, improving turnover for a brighter complexion.
Cons of Lecithin
Ø It is not bioavailable.
Ø The product contains Omega 6 fatty acids and other nutrients that can lead to hormonal imbalance.
Ø Lecithin has an awful smell that can block the scent of other cosmetics you use on your skin or hair.
Ø It is ineffective for those with psoriasis and eczema problems as these individuals may have defective lipids in the skin barrier.
Why is Lecithin in My Skin Care?
Here are several reasons why you should not worry about lecithin in skin care:
· Lecithin is full of nutrients
· Lecithin reduces wrinkles
· Lecithin promotes a firm skin tone
· Lecithin nourishes the epidermis
· Lecithin can prevent acne
· Lecithin improves the health of the skin
What is Hydrogenated Lecithin?
Hydrogenated lecithin is a modified fat that consists of glycerol and soybean oil. Most hydrogenated lecithin is used as an emulsifier in food products.
It can also be used as a stabilizer in liquid and also used in skin care.
Why is Hydrogenated Lecithin Used?
Ever wondered why hydrogenated lecithin is used in skin care products? Here are several reasons why:
Hydrogenated Lecithin Has Emulsifying Properties
Hydrogenated lecithin is a fatty acid derivative emulsifying properties that helps form stable emulsions.
In addition, hydrogenated lecithin contains about 50% to 85% oleic acid, which acts as an emulsifier by forming an oil-in-water emulsion that reduces water evaporation from the skin.
At the same time, it helps maintain the skin’s moisture content.
Hydrogenated Lecithin Works as a Surfactant
Lecithin works as a surfactant. It reduces surface tension by bonding with water molecules, which allows the product to be absorbed into the skin more easily.
This property makes it useful for skin care products such as lotions or cleansers where water should not be present on its own (e.g., sunscreen ingredients).
Hydrogenated Lecithin is a Mild Antistatic Agent
Hydrogenated lecithin is a mild antistatic agent used in skincare products to prevent surface tension from causing the product to separate.
This is one of the main reasons why hydrogenated lecithin is added to creams and lotions; hydrogenated lecithin helps keep formulations stable so they won’t separate into liquids, which can cause them to lose their efficacy over time.
Hydrogenated Lecithin Has Antioxidant Activity
A hydrogenated lecithin is a form of fat that contains a hydrogen atom at the molecule’s center.
This form of fat has been shown to have antioxidant activity and has been used for decades in skincare products. Hydrogenated lecithin is often referred to as “hydro” or “lecithin” by consumers.
This form of fat is considered more effective than other types of fat because it can penetrate deeper into the skin, where it can work better than other forms of fat, such as natural oils or butter.
It Improves Texture and Consistency
Hydrogenated lecithin in skin care is a natural emulsifier used for decades. It helps to improve the texture and consistency of oils, kinds of butter, and other ingredients when applied to the skin.
It also makes products more durable, so they don’t easily wash off. That’s because it prevents water from penetrating the skin too far, which means your product will last longer before reapplying. You can find such products at reputable companies like National Lecithin.
It has Emollient Properties that make it ideal for Skin Care Products.
Emollients are the essential ingredients for skin care products because they help the skin retain moisture, which is what we need to keep our skin soft and smooth.
Emollients also have other benefits, such as improving elasticity, reducing irritation, and soothing dry skin. However, the primary function of an emollient is to moisturize the skin by lubricating it.
Hydrogenated lecithin is a common emollient ingredient used in skin care products because it has emollient properties, making it ideal for many types of skincare solutions.
It Helps to Stabilize Oil and Water Emulsions
Hydrogenated lecithin is an emulsifier that helps stabilize oil and water emulsions. Hydrogenation involves the addition of hydrogen to an unsaturated fatty acid, resulting in a saturated fatty acid.
The saturated fatty acids are not easily oxidized, which makes them useful as emulsifiers.
Lecithin is a so-called hydrophilic molecule with an open structure that allows it to dissolve freely in the water.
This property is essential for cosmetic applications because it allows ingredients to be dispersed into the water without being affected by the presence of other ingredients.
Is Hydrogenated Lecithin Safe?
Hydrogenated lecithin in skin care is safe. In addition, it is suitable for use since it acts as an emulsifier in makeup products.
However, when hydrogenated lecithin is heated or exposed to high temperatures, it will break down into formaldehyde and acrolein.
These are carcinogenic compounds that have been linked to lung and other cancers.
Hydrogenated lecithin care is also considered a potential allergen because it contains soy protein, which may provoke allergic reactions in some people.