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| Catalog Number | CI-SC-1273 |
| Product Name | Sarcosine |
| CAS | 107-97-1 |
| Structure |  |
| Synonyms | Glycine, N-methyl- |
| IUPAC Name | 2-(methylamino)acetic acid |
| Molecular Weight | 89.09 g/mol |
| Molecular Formula | C3H7NO2 |
| InChI | InChI=1S/C3H7NO2/c1-4-2-3(5)6/h4H,2H2,1H3,(H,5,6) |
| InChI Key | FSYKKLYZXJSNPZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N |
| Melting Point | 208-212 °C |
| Purity | 95% |
| Density | 1.19 g/mL |
| Appearance | Solid |
| Highest Usage In Residency Products | 0.0041 |
| Highest Usage In Rinsing Products | 0.01 |
| Isomeric SMILES | CNCC(=O)O |
| pKa | 2.21 |
Sarcosine, also known as N-methyl glycine, is a naturally occurring amino acid integral to human tissues and found in various raw foods, including egg yolks, meats, vegetables, and legume seeds. This water-soluble compound, known for its sweet taste, is recognized as a safe food-grade ingredient with no reported cases of skin sensitization. In skincare, sarcosine effectively reduces sebum production, making it ideal for applications targeting normal to oily skin. It is particularly beneficial for addressing conditions like acne, enlarged pores, and oily shine by inhibiting the enzyme 5 alpha-reductase, which is involved in androgen hormone metabolism. This inhibition ultimately reduces sebum production, tightens pores, and enhances overall skin texture. Additionally, sarcosine can rapidly convert into glycine, an amino acid vital for skin moisture and collagen synthesis. Beyond its direct application in skincare products for sebum control, sarcosine is instrumental in creating mild and biodegradable surfactants, such as alkyl sarcosinates like Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, which contribute to environmentally friendly cleaning formulations.
What is Sarcosine, and what are its natural sources?
Sarcosine, also known as N-methyl glycine, is a natural amino acid found in human body tissues and in various raw foods such as egg yolks, meat, vegetables, and legume seeds. It is well-known for its sweet taste and water solubility.
Is Sarcosine safe for use in skincare products?
Yes, Sarcosine is considered a safe (food-grade) ingredient with no documented cases of skin sensitization or allergic reactions. It is suitable for normal to oily skin care applications.
How does Sarcosine benefit the skin when used topically?
When applied topically, Sarcosine inhibits the enzyme 5 alpha-reductase, which plays a role in the metabolism of androgen hormones. By reducing the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), it decreases sebum production, tightens pores, mattifies oily shine, and improves skin texture and condition.
What skin conditions can Sarcosine help treat?
Sarcosine is particularly effective in treating seborrhea-induced skin and scalp conditions. These include acne, enlarged pores, and excessive oiliness, thanks to its ability to regulate sebum production.
Can Sarcosine contribute to skin moisturization?
Yes, Sarcosine can be quickly converted into glycine, an amino acid that acts as a natural moisturizing factor (NMF). Glycine can also be used as a building block for collagen production, enhancing skin hydration and structure.
Are there other uses of Sarcosine outside of direct skincare applications?
Besides its direct skincare benefits, Sarcosine is used to produce mild and effective surfactants such as Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate. These alkyl sarcosinates are biodegradable and have initiated a new era of ecologically friendly cleansing formulations.
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