We don’t kid around when it comes to ingredients in skincare — they are the foundation of a good product. Label checking your daily essentials also helps target specific skin issues, especially with potent formulations of serums or under-eye creams. While you might already be familiar with trending ingredients like vitamin C and retinol, there are several unsung skincare heroes that aren’t talked about too often. One of these names that usually pop-up is arginine — an amino acid that is highly beneficial for your skin.
What is arginine?
Extracted from lupin and pumpkin seeds, arginine is attributed with being highly efficient at protecting your skin from free radical damage. An alpha-amino acid, arginine is naturally found in meat and dairy as well. It is also a plant-based compound found in grains, beans and nuts. Arginine functions by building protein and releasing nitric oxide in your bloodstream, which plays an essential role in cell division, boosting immunity in your body and production of growth hormone.
So, how exactly is such a compound beneficial to your skin? Let’s take a look at its major benefits…
What is the role of arginine in skincare products?
When it comes to skincare, arginine supports 3 main functions:
01. It is a powerful antioxidant: The main purpose of antioxidants in skincare is to fight free radical damage in your skin. These unstable molecules are the main reason behind premature ageing; thus, neutralising them is a sure-shot way of staying wrinkle-free!
02. It functions as a humectant: A humectant is a compound that attracts moisture from the air and traps it in your skin. As such, arginine is a highly hydrating agent as well. It also helps your skin produce components like ceramides, cholesterol, urea, and glycosaminoglycans. Combined with the lipids present in your skin, this is an ingredient that helps make your skin supple and glowing from within.
03. It boosts collagen production: Arginine is known to boost collagen production in your skin. Keeping your skin firm from within, collagen is your skin’s first line of defence against premature ageing. This also helps in speeding up cell regeneration in your skin, keeping your skin looking healthy and radiant.
Written by Sumona Bose on Oct 06, 2020
Sumona Bose is a writer, skincare junkie and a self-professed makeup connoisseur. Equipped with a Master's degree in Fashion Management and over 3 years of experience writing in the beauty and fashion space, her passion for learning new things has no bounds. Working closely with dermatologists, beauty excerpts, makeup artists and hairstylists, she brings you the best of all things beauty. From trending skincare ingredients to makeup looks that help you slay, she manages to bring something new (and vital!) to our readers every single time. Her hobbies include home workouts, watching foreign films and binge-watching makeover shows!