Hydrolyzed Elastin

Hydrolyzed elastin is a low-molecular-weight protein/peptide conditioner used in moisturizers and serums (typically ~0.1–5%) and is not inherently acidic or keratolytic, so it is generally well tolerated. However, as an animal-derived hydrolyzed protein, it carries a small but real risk of irritation or sensitization in highly reactive or eczema-prone patients (protein allergen potential and impurity variability), so I score it as gentle rather than very gentle. Safety Notes: In commercial skincare, hydrolyzed elastin is most often used as a low-level conditioning/film-forming protein in leave-on creams, serums, and eye products (commonly ~0.1–1%), with very low-end usage around 0.01% when part of multi-protein blends or as a label-support additive. Higher-strength consumer products marketed as “elastin concentrates/ampoules” and some masks/body creams can reach ~3–5% active, with the upper end typically constrained by tack/film feel, odor/color, and stability/viscosity impacts rather than specific regulatory limits (it is generally not concentration-restricted in major cosmetic regulations). Rinse-off formats (cleansers/shampoos) tend to sit toward the lower half of the range due to limited deposition, while leave-on products more commonly occupy mid-to-upper levels.