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Cysteine

What Cysteine is & what it does

Cysteine is a sulfur-containing amino acid that occurs naturally in many proteins, including keratin in skin and hair. In cosmetic formulas it acts as a conditioning agent and can support antioxidant chemistry through its reactive thiol group. It is water-soluble and is commonly found in both skin and hair care products.

What does Cysteine do in skincare?

Cysteine is a sulfur-containing amino acid that works as a conditioning agent in cosmetic formulas. Its reactive thiol group can also support antioxidant chemistry within a product. It is found in both skin and hair care formulations.

Is Cysteine vegan?

Cysteine can be derived from both animal and plant or synthetic sources, so whether a specific product is vegan depends on the origin of the ingredient. Many modern cosmetic suppliers offer fermentation-derived or synthetic cysteine. Checking with the brand is the most reliable way to confirm the source.

Is Cysteine natural or synthetic?

Cysteine is a naturally occurring amino acid found in many proteins, including keratin. The cysteine used in cosmetics may be obtained from natural sources or produced through fermentation or synthesis. All forms share the same basic amino-acid structure.

Sunscreens with Cysteine

We rate 8 sunscreens that contain it:

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