The Surprising Skincare Benefits of Silk
Are you trying to soothe inflammation? Or add a boost of hydration into your routine? If so, silk might just be the skincare ingredient you’re neglecting. Below, we’ve highlighted the key benefits of silk extracts in skincare and why it’s a must-have ingredient in your routine.
A Brief History of Japanese Silk
Initially developed in China, silk reached Japan in the 4th century AD and soon became a popular luxurious fabric for everything from kimonos and wall hangings to book bindings and (eventually) skincare.
Silk-infused skincare originated in the late 19th century, when the women who hand-spun the rare Koishimaru silkworm had beautifully radiant and youthful hands, despite the rough nature of their work. This discovery sparked the use and interest of silk in beauty products. Today, silk remains a popular ingredient in Japanese skincare and haircare, illustrating the core beauty values of a healthy skin barrier, adequate hydration, and protection from environmental damage.
Silk Extracts in Japanese Skincare
To understand the skincare benefits of silk, you first need to know its proteins: Silk extracts contain the proteins sericin and fibroin, which are naturally rich in amino acids that benefit the skin.
Sericin forms a protective layer over the skin, helping lock in hydration and defend against environmental aggressors.
Fibroin helps balance moisture levels by mimicking our skin’s natural moisturizing factors and increasing hydration. Fibroin also aids cellular repair and stimulates collagen synthesis, helping speed healing and improve skin elasticity.
5 Skincare Benefits of Silk
- Supports Strong Skin and Hair
Even though silk is 1,000 times thinner than human hair, pound for pound, it’s stronger than steel! So it makes sense that silk supports healthy skin and hair.
Silk proteins contain 18 amino acids that are found in our skin and hair, making them biocompatible and easy to absorb. The high amino acid content repairs damage and supplies the natural building blocks for strong skin and hair. You can reap the benefits of these amino acids in the COMOACE UV Cream with Silk Extract SPF50 PA ++++.
- Promotes Hydration
Hydration is essential for glowing skin. Luckily both sericin and fibroin are amazing ingredients for increasing skin hydration. Sericin has a softening and smoothing effect on the skin, which prevents water loss and dryness. While fibroin balances moisture levels so skin stays plump and hydrated all day long.
The QINUDE Moisture Milk utilizes fibroin to keep skin balanced and nourished. It also has other hydrating ingredients like glycerin and sodium hyaluronate that draw water from the environment into the skin.
- Antioxidant Protection
Sericin and fibroin are rich in antioxidants that protect skin from environmental aggressors like pollution and UV rays. By counteracting harmful free radicals, silk proteins protect collagen supplies and promote bouncy, youthful skin.
- Healthy Skin Barrier
Maintaining the health of the skin barrier is a key component of Japanese skincare. When our skin barrier becomes damaged by harsh products, environments, or outside aggressors, it becomes susceptible to dryness, inflammation, and external threats like allergens and free radicals.
Silk proteins reinforce the skin barrier by bonding to the keratin in our skin and forming a light film over the epidermis (the outermost skin layer). This protective layer makes skin more resilient against stress, moisture loss, and signs of aging.
- Brighter, Clearer Skin
The proteins and antioxidants found in silk help repair and reverse sun damage, ultimately leading to brighter, healthier skin. Fibroin specifically calms inflammation and promotes an even skin tone.
If maintaining a clear, youthful complexion is one of your goals, try the COMOACE Deep Moisture Lift Mask. This moisturizing mask promotes cell regeneration with sericin, fibroin, and ginseng extract to instantly brighten and tighten skin.
