Polylysine ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is primarily used as an antimicrobial preservative booster and cationic conditioning polymer. It can help control microbial growth while also improving the feel of hair or skin formulas.
What does Polylysine do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is primarily used as an antimicrobial preservative booster and cationic conditioning polymer. It can help control microbial growth while also improving the feel of hair or skin formulas.
Is Polylysine clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, it is generally well accepted because it is amino-acid-derived, non-fragrance, and not a common allergen. Like many cationic materials, it can be sensitizing or irritating for some users at higher levels, so concentration and formula context matter.
Is Polylysine sustainable?
This material is commonly fermentation-derived from renewable carbohydrate feedstocks and is expected to biodegrade through peptide bond breakdown. It has a better sustainability profile than persistent synthetic polymers, with the main variables being fermentation inputs, energy use, and supplier controls.
Is Polylysine COSMOS-approved?
It is generally compatible with COSMOS-natural when fermentation-derived and made with compliant processing aids, though brand-level approval depends on supplier documentation. Its Green Chemistry profile is strong because it can come from renewable feedstock, functions at low levels, and does not rely on persistent petrochemical polymer chemistry.
How does Polylysine work chemically?
The molecule is a positively charged peptide polymer built from repeated basic amino-acid units, which helps it bind to negatively charged microbial membranes and keratin surfaces. Typical use levels are often around 0.01% to 0.2%, and it is most useful in water-containing formulas where pH, salt level, and compatibility with anionic ingredients are checked during preservation testing.
Last updated 2026-05-14