The hydrochloride of cysteamine, a thiol listed as a reducing and hair waving or straightening ingredient.
What it is
Cysteamine HCl is mercaptamine hydrochloride, the hydrochloride salt of cysteamine (2-aminoethanethiol), a small organic compound with a thiol group. CosIng lists it as an antioxidant, reducing and hair waving or straightening ingredient.
Where it is used
Appears on the ingredient lists of a small number of products.
Limits of interpretation
The INCI list shows which ingredients are present, not how much of each. Above 1%, ingredients are listed in descending order of weight; below 1% the order is free.
The label does not show the concentration used.
Functions
- Antioxidant
- Inhibiting reactions promoted by oxygen, thus avoiding oxidation and rancidity.
- Hair waving or straightening
- Modifying the chemical structure of the hair, allowing it to be set in the style required (permanent waves or hair straightening).
- Reducing
- Changing the chemical nature of another ingredient by adding hydrogen (or removing oxygen).
EU regulation
This ingredient is not listed in the annexes of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 in the CosIng data.