Hydrolyzed Keratin Not rated New ingredients Hydration Hydrolyzed Keratin at a glance Skin-, hair-, and nail-conditioning ingredient Considered highly biocompatible Derived from hair, wool, horns, or feathers Contains several amino acids Ruled safe as used in cosmetics Hydrolyzed Keratin description Hydrolyzed keratin is a skin, hair, and nail conditioning ingredient used in a variety of cosmetics. It is a derivative of the protein keratin created by the process of hydrolysis, where an ingredient is transformed, usually by an enzyme or acid. Keratin is the primary protein in skin and hair. Like keratin itself, hydrolyzed keratin is considered a highly biocompatible ingredient and is derived from biological waste products such as hair, wool, horns, or feathers, making it a non-vegan ingredient. Hydrolyzed keratin contains a high number of amino acids and is considered a very good ingredient for softening and strengthening hair, skin, and nails. Hydrolyzed keratin can come in either liquid or powder form and has a white (in powder form) or clear color (when in liquid form). It has been ruled safe as used in cosmetics, where its maximum rate of usage is 5% in hair styling products.