Beyond Hydration: How DropCare® Hydrolyzed Keratin Rewrites Hair Repair Science
Jul 02, 2025
The Core RevelationHuman hair is 80-90% keratin – a protein fortified by disulfide bonds (S-S bridges) that grant elasticity and strength. Yet chemical damage ruptures these bonds, causing:
⚠️ 12-13% moisture loss (vs. healthy hair)
⚠️ Cracked cuticles exposing cortical proteins
⚠️ Reduced light reflectance (dullness)
Enter DropCare® Hydr-KP (powder) and Hydr-KPL (liquid) – engineered keratin solutions that rebuild hair from within.
3 Mechanisms of Action
Structural Reconstruction
Binds to exposed cysteine residues via hydrogen bonds
Reforms disulfide crosslinks in cortex (SEM-proven):
5% concentration: 40% cuticle closure
20% concentration: 95% cuticle repair
Moisture LockRestores water-holding capacity by 63% (vs. bleached hair):Bleached hair recovers 80% hydration after keratin treatment (Barba et al.)
Lipid-Protein Matrix RestorationReplenishes ceramides & fatty acids lost during damage:
17.8% cysteine recovery
11.7% serine regeneration
Product Specifications
Parameter
Hydr-KP (Powder)
Hydr-KP Liquid
Protein Content
≥80%
30-38% dry residue
pH
4.5-6.5
4.0-6.0
Key Application
Shampoos (0.1-1%)
Conditioners (3-8%)
Damage Repair
Up to 5% concentration
Up to 15% concentration
Preservation
3-year stability
Phenoxyethanol system (1y)
Why Formulators Choose DropCare®KP&KPL
Dual-Action Efficacy
INCI: Hair/Skin Conditioning Agent (EC 1223/2009 compliant)
Anti-aging properties via peptide signaling (KPL variant)
Market-Driven Demand52% of consumers pay premium for "problem-solving ingredients" – our keratin targets:
Split end reduction (89% efficacy at 12.5% conc.)
Static control (-42% combing force)
UV/protein loss protection
Sustainability EdgeFeather-derived & biodegradable – meets 36% eco-conscious demand
Application Guidelines
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| Product Type | Hydr-KP (%) | Hydr-KPL (%) |
|--------------------|-------------|--------------|
| Clarifying Shampoo | 0.1-0.5 | - |
| Repair Conditioner | 1-2.5 | 3-5 |
| Intensive Mask | 2.5-5 | 8-15 |
| Anti-Aging Serum | - | 0.5-3 (face) |
The Future of Hair RepairAs China’s haircare market grows at 4.6% CAGR (reaching ¥53.48B in 2022), keratin emerges as the ultimate "multi-functional active" – bridging protein loss repair, lipid restoration, and cuticle regeneration in one molecule.
If you are interested in our products and want to know more details, please contact judyzhou@drop-bio.com.