Silk Powder, Silk Peptide, Silk Amino Acids; which one is best for your formulation? All of them contain 18 different amino acids, all come from the cocoon of the silk worm, and all have a chemical composition that is very close to that of human skin and hair making them a wonderful source of nourishment and maintenance.
The real difference is the size of the particles, which impacts water solubility and how deeply each one can penetrate the hair and skin. The more deeply it penetrates, the greater the therapeutic qualities but you’ll lose some of the much coveted look and feel it provides on the surface.
Silk Powder – This version has the largest grain size and can remain on the top of the skin to give it a smooth feel and appearance by entrapping oil and minimizing the visibility of pores without clogging them. The natural glossy property of silk is what imparts the glowing appearance to skin. Powder is best suited for natural make ups and body polishes to give a radiant glow. This type is not soluble in water in however.
Silk Peptide – This is the next size down from the powder and has better water solubility. Being a more refined product, its particle size allows it to penetrate the skin and hair thereby giving it a more therapeutic aspect to go along with appearance enhancements. The shine, elasticity, and smooth feel it provides to hair become apparent after it dries and turns into a protective crystalline film that is less sticky than collagen or keratin. Upon penetrating the skin, Silk Peptide helps to retain moisture and control the growth of melanin as well as still providing an attractive sheen.
Silk Amino Acid – has the smallest particle size and can penetrate very deeply into the hair cortex to strengthen and repair. Even when employed in low concentrations, the use of Silk Amino Acid can have a noticeable effect on the health and appearance of hair. It also has the best water solubility and still retains the full compliment of 18 amino acids. Its small size also means that it is absorbed deeply into the skin where its excellent moisture binding properties compare favorably to conventional humectants such as glycerin. Because of its ability to penetrate so deeply, this version is the best choice for applications where a therapeutic value is of highest importance.