active
Lauroyl Lysine
A cosmetic ester used in talc-free powder cosmetics to provide silky texture and improve skin adhesion of powder components. A functional building block in clean colour cosmetics.
Benefits
- Silky, slippery skin feel in powder formulas
- Improves adhesion of pigments to skin surface
- Provides slip and blendability in powder compact cosmetics
- Acts as a dry emollient
- Amino acid-derived — accepted in clean formulation frameworks
Example uses
- Baked powder blushes
- Setting powders
- Eye shadow formulas
- Bronzing powders
- Pressed mineral powder foundations
Mechanism of action
Lauroyl lysine adsorbs onto pigment particle surfaces via its polar amino acid head group, while the lauroyl fatty acid tail points outward, creating a hydrophobic, low-friction surface coating. This surface modification reduces inter-particle friction, improving the flow and blendability of the powder formula.
Clinical evidence · High
Function as powder coating agent well-characterised. Safety confirmed by CIR and SCCS. No active dermatological mechanism.
Effective concentration range
1–3% in powder formulas
Formulation notes
Used in anhydrous powder cosmetics. Functions at low use levels (1–3%). Compatible with mineral pigments, iron oxides, and other powder components.
Watchouts
No established skin-active benefit — purely a texture modifier in powder cosmetics. Limited documentation of sensitisation.
Stacks with
Market positioning
Marketed as amino acid-derived silky texture agent. Accurate. The amino acid origin supports clean positioning without overstating skin benefit.
Comedogenicity
0 / 5
Sensitisation risk
Low
INCI & aliases
Lauroyl Lysine
N-lauroyl-L-lysine · lauric acid lysine amide
Clean beauty perception
Accepted in clean beauty due to amino acid-based origin (lysine + lauric acid). EWG rating 2.
Related ingredients
Graph relationships
Timeline