Silk, a fibrous protein from silkworm cocoons, used as a conditioning and smoothing ingredient.
What it is
Serica is, according to CosIng, silk, the fibrous protein obtained from the cocoons of the silkworm. It consists mainly of the protein fibroin. CosIng lists it as a hair-conditioning, humectant, skin-conditioning and smoothing 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 INCI name does not show the physical form, for example whether it is used as a fine powder.
Functions
- Hair conditioning
- Enhancing the appearance and feel of hair. Leaving the hair easy to comb, supple, soft and shiny and/or imparting volume, lightness, gloss, texture, etc.
- Humectant
- Retaining and/or preserving the moisture in a product during use.
- Skin conditioning
- Maintaining the skin in good condition.
- Smoothing
- Seeking to achieve an even skin surface by decreasing roughness or irregularities.
EU regulation
This ingredient is not listed in the annexes of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 in the CosIng data.