Arginine
Arginine is a naturally occurring amino acid used in skincare and haircare to help strengthen, hydrate and protect. It’s a gentle, versatile ingredient that appears in moisturisers, serums, cleansers and hair treatments. Shoppers like it for its ability to support the skin’s natural moisture barrier without irritation.
How it works in skincare
In cosmetics arginine functions as a conditioning agent and pH adjuster. It helps reinforce the skin’s natural moisturising factor, supports the integrity of the skin barrier and improves the feel of both skin and hair. Its slightly alkaline nature allows formulators to fine-tune product pH, while its humectant properties attract and bind water to the skin or hair shaft, leaving a smoother, softer finish.
Key benefits
- Helps maintain skin hydration
- Strengthens the skin barrier
- Improves hair smoothness and manageability
- Enhances product texture and spreadability
- Supports gentle cleansing without stripping
- Conditions and softens brittle hair
Best for
dry skin, sensitive skin, mature skin, normal skin, hair that lacks moisture
Where it comes from
Arginine is most commonly sourced from plant-derived fermentation of sugar beet or corn. It can also be obtained from natural protein sources such as nuts, seeds and legumes.
Products with Arginine
Not every product on UK Lips lists a full ingredient breakdown — so there may be many more formulas that contain Arginine than we can show here. These are the comparisons where we’ve confirmed it in the listed ingredients.