The ingredient, explained
Lecithin
Lecithin has published research relevant to the stated experimental context.
Ingredient guide
What it is and what it does
Lecithins. The complex combination of diglycerides of fatty acids linked to the choline ester of phosphoric acid
About this ingredient: EU CosIng ingredient registry (via Open Beauty Facts taxonomy) ↗
- Emollient
- Helps soften and smooth the skin surface.
- Antistatic
- Reduces the build-up of static electrical charge on surfaces.
- Emulsifying
- Helps liquids that do not normally mix form a mixture.
- Skin conditioning
- A broad cosmetic role for maintaining skin condition. It does not identify a particular clinical benefit.
Function definitions: European Commission ingredient function definitions (SCCNFP/0299/00, pages 16 to 20) ↗
Registry functions describe possible formulation roles, not results for a finished product. A dictionary entry is not an approval or a safety assessment.
A closer look
What the research shows
Laboratory and human research
Porcine-skin experiments found increased glycolic-acid delivery, and a 37-person, two-week split-face study reported improved exfoliation and related skin measurements with the combined serum.
What this does not tell us
Effects belong to the formulation and ion-pairing system, not lecithin alone. Short duration and specific glycolic acid concentration limit generalization.
Sources for this summary. PubMed 41987370 ↗
Research review checked Oct 1, 2026
Selective exact-identity review of 1 supplied local candidates and the targeted primary-source search recorded below. Bounded review, not a systematic search.
Ingredient research is not proof that a product containing this ingredient works.
Read the 1 selected study
Laboratory and human research · n=37
Shake-Induced Temporary Ion-Pairing Between Lecithin and Glycolic Acid for Enhanced Exfoliation in a Novel Biphasic Serum: Comparative Ex Vivo and in Vivo Randomised Studies. ↗
Skin research and technology : official journal of International Society for Bioengineering and the Skin (ISBS) [and] International Society for Digital Imaging of Skin (ISDIS) [and] International Society for Skin Imaging (ISSI) · 2026
Follow the formula
Products containing this ingredient
From the wider catalogue. Linked by the ingredient list, without an efficacy ranking.
Names and identifiers
Registry identity
Lecithins. The complex combination of diglycerides of fatty acids linked to the choline ester of phosphoric acid
- INCI name on ingredient lists
- LECITHIN
- CAS registry number
- 8002-43-5, 8030-76-0 -soybean-
- EC number
- 232-307-2 / 310-129-7
Sources for this ingredient record
- EU CosIng ingredient registry (via Open Beauty Facts taxonomy) ↗ · ODbL 1.0 (Open Beauty Facts database) · Recorded Aug 8, 2026