What Is Undecylenoyl Collagen Amino Acids?
Undecylenoyl Collagen Amino Acids is a specialty ingredient made by linking small pieces of collagen, known as collagen amino acids, to undecylenic acid, a fatty acid obtained from castor oil. This coupling gives the collagen fragments a light oil-like tail that helps them mix with both water and oil. First explored in the 1990s as formulators searched for gentle surfactants sourced from natural materials, the ingredient soon found a place in personal care products that needed mild cleansing with added skin affinity.
Production starts with hydrolyzed collagen, which is collagen broken down into its individual amino acids. These amino acids are then reacted with 10-undecenoic acid through a straightforward condensation process, creating a stable derivative that keeps the skin-friendly nature of collagen while gaining the surface-active traits of a fatty acid. The final powder or liquid is easy to disperse and carries a slight, pleasant scent.
You will spot Undecylenoyl Collagen Amino Acids in face and body washes, micellar waters, scalp-soothing shampoos, sheet masks, anti-aging creams and leave-on treatments that promise a soft touch after rinsing. It is especially popular in formulas marketed as clean beauty or sulfate-free because it offers cleansing without harshness.
Undecylenoyl Collagen Amino Acids’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
This multi-tasking ingredient improves both the feel and performance of many everyday products
- Antistatic: Helps reduce static buildup on hair or skin so strands lie smoothly and fabrics glide over the skin without cling
- Cleansing: Acts as a mild surfactant that lifts away dirt, oil and leftover makeup while leaving a soft conditioned afterfeel
Who Can Use Undecylenoyl Collagen Amino Acids
This ingredient is considered gentle enough for most skin types including dry, normal, combination and oily skin. Its mild cleansing nature and light conditioning feel make it well tolerated by sensitive skin too, though very reactive or compromised skin should still approach new formulas carefully. Because the collagen portion is naturally moisturizing it can be a welcome addition for mature or dehydrated skin that needs extra softness.
Undecylenoyl Collagen Amino Acids is sourced from animal collagen, most often fish or bovine, so it is not suitable for vegans or strict vegetarians. Anyone following a plant based lifestyle will want to choose an alternative surfactant or a product labeled as vegan certified.
No specific warnings are attached to pregnancy or breastfeeding, and current cosmetic safety assessments list it as safe at the concentrations used in rinse off and leave on products. Still this is not medical advice and expectant or nursing mothers should discuss any skincare product with their healthcare provider to be on the safe side.
The ingredient has no known link to photosensitivity so it will not make skin more prone to sunburn. It also does not interfere with common actives like retinol or vitamin C, allowing it to slot easily into most routines.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Side effects and reactions to the topical application of Undecylenoyl Collagen Amino Acids can vary from person to person. The points below outline potential issues but they are uncommon when the ingredient is used at standard levels in a well made product.
- Skin irritation: A small number of users may notice temporary redness or stinging especially if skin is already inflamed
- Allergic contact dermatitis: Rare allergy to collagen or undecylenic acid residues can lead to itching rash or swelling
- Eye discomfort: If a cleanser containing the ingredient gets into the eyes it may cause tearing or mild burn until rinsed out
- Dryness with overuse: Using multiple products containing surfactants, even gentle ones, can strip natural oils and leave skin feeling tight
If any of these reactions occur discontinue use and seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 1/5. Undecylenoyl Collagen Amino Acids is mostly made up of small water-soluble collagen fragments paired with a lightweight fatty acid that rinses easily from skin. It does not form a heavy film or clog pores the way thicker oils or waxes can, so the chance of blocked pores is low.
Suitable for acne-prone or breakout-prone skin in most cases.
No data suggest it worsens fungal acne and it typically appears at low percentages alongside other mild surfactants, further reducing any clogging risk.
Summary
Undecylenoyl Collagen Amino Acids serves as a gentle cleanser and antistatic agent. By pairing skin-friendly collagen amino acids with an oil-loving tail, it lifts dirt while leaving a soft conditioned feel that cuts down on static for hair and skin. It is moderately popular in sulfate-free face washes, micellar waters and scalp care, although it has not reached household-name status due to its higher cost and animal origin.
Overall safety assessments find it low risk with irritation or allergy only rarely reported. As with any new cosmetic ingredient it is smart to do a small patch test before fully integrating a product into your routine.