The ingredient, explained

Whey Protein

A small ICU trial examined topical whey protein.

Hair conditioningSkin conditioning

Explore connections

Ingredient guide

What it is and what it does

Glycoproteins, bovine-whey

About this ingredient: EU CosIng ingredient registry (via Open Beauty Facts taxonomy) ↗

Hair conditioning: Improves cosmetic hair properties such as softness, shine or combability.
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

Human topical treatment study

Pressure-ulcer scores improved relative to ointment base.

What this does not tell us

Medical prevention setting and short follow-up do not establish general cosmetic benefit.

Sources for this summary. PubMed 37564458 ↗

Research review checked Oct 1, 2026

Read exact local candidate abstracts first; select identity-relevant papers; targeted primary PubMed/publisher searches. This is not an exhaustive systematic review.

Ingredient research is not proof that a product containing this ingredient works.