Common Name(s): Myristyl alaninate,n-acyl amino acid surfactant,ultra-mild c14 cleanser
CAS Number: N/a
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides mild co-surfactant activity in cleansing formulations with dramatically lower skin irritation than conventional sulfate surfactants from the amino acid backbone's structural similarity to skin surface proteins.
Why It's Used: Amino acid surfactants are the reference gentle surfactants in sensitive skin formulation โ the alanine residue's protein complementarity reduces electrostatic protein-unfolding interactions that cause irritation from monovalent sulfate anionics.
How It Works: Myristyl alaninate at ph 5-7 exists as a zwitterion (protonated amino group pka ~9.7, ionised carboxylate pka ~2.3) โ net-neutral charge dramatically reduces protein-binding electrostatic driving force. the c14 fatty acid provides optimal surface activity (low krafft temperature, adequate cmc) for effective cleansing.
Typically Found In: Mild cleansers,sensitive skin formulas,facial wash
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient โ cosmetic active
Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 1%โ10%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Conditional - supplier confirmation required
Halal Status: Unverified - supplier confirmation required
Source Notes: Commercially produced for cosmetic use. verify vegan/halal status with supplier. [audit 2026-07-29 rev2: the record's own source_notes does not assert a non-animal origin, or instructs the reader to verify with the supplier; "yes" asserts knowledge the record does not hold. determination requires shariah-panel sign-off.]
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Well-tolerated by most skin types.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Good safety profile at recommended concentrations. ewg score: 1โ2.
Works Well With: Standard skincare actives
Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
N-acyl amino acid surfactants inherently achieve lower zein protein solubilisation scores (irritation predictor) than equivalent-chain-length sulfates regardless of formulation ph โ the amino acid backbone providing structural protein compatibility that sulfates fundamentally lack.
Last Verified: 2026-03-12
Primary Sources: Cosing database,myristyl alaninate amino acid mild surfactant review