Amino Acids are the building blocks that form peptides and proteins and are naturally occurring in your body, including your hair and skin.

Essential Amino Acids are not naturally found in the body which makes it “essential” to obtain them from other sources like food, vitamins and topical formulas. Non-essential Amino Acids are just as important, but the body is able to make them on its own. Both essential and non-essential Amino Acids are found in hair and skincare products as they provide a wide range of specific benefits within different formulas.

There are a variety of Amino Acids used in hair care with a range of benefits. Depending on the formula, hair products with Amino Acids can help to:

• Strengthen hair to help resist breakage
• Help protect from environmental aggressors
• Help defend hair from damage caused by brushing or styling
• Boost volume, soften and smooth

Amino Acids support the skin barrier through a variety of integral functions. Different types of Amino Acids benefit skin by helping to:

• Build proteins to help support skin cells
• Boost hydration and maintain moisture levels in skin’s upper layers
• Control and regulate excess oil
• Stimulate communication between skin cells

Oily skin types may be tempted to skip the hydrating steps of a skincare routine, but maintaining moisture levels is actually a key factor in helping to control excess shine. When oily skin becomes dehydrated, or lacking in water, it may produce excess oil. Using skincare products with Amino Acids not only boosts hydration but can also help control excess shine. Some Amino Acids, like Micronized Amino Acid, are known to help regulate skin’s oil production and reduce the appearance of shine over time. As skin’s excess oil is reduced, enlarged pores also become less visible.

Micronized Amino Acid is a naturally occurring ingredient known to help reduce oil and sebum production in skin. As a smaller form of Amino Acid, this “micronized” ingredient also contributes to the unique and lightweight gel texture of Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream and even helps the formula absorb easily and readily into the skin.

Unlike other skincare ingredients that absorb excess oil from the skin, Micronized Amino Acid helps regulate skin’s oil production to address the underlying cause of excess shine. Over time, our formula with Micronized Amino Acid even helps decrease skin’s overall oil production. With less oil produced by the skin, skin appears shine-free and pores become less visible.