Hydroxyapatite

Hydroxyapatite Description

Hydroxyapatite is a texture- and delivery-enhancing ingredient typically derived from the mineral calcium. It is used to encapsulate and deliver bio-active ingredients to skin in a controlled manner. This benefit extends the efficacy timeframe while reducing the risk of a sensitized response.

Hydroxyapatite’s advantages as a carrier for other ingredients are its bio-compatibility with skin and biodegradability within skin’s uppermost layers, allowing the calcium shell to release its contents and then skin utilizes the calcium for normal maintenance.

Hydroxyapatite is sometimes used in cosmetics to add bulk or as an abrasive agent, such as scrubs. Use levels of this ingredient in cosmetics vary based on its role.

This ingredient is also used in oral care products, such as toothpastes, and is considered safe, including in dental care products meant for use by children.

Note: There’s some concern about nano-sized versions of this ingredient as typically used in certain types of dermal fillers and surgical repair of bones. The research in this regard points to hydroxyapatite’s safety, but it’s not conclusive. The type of hydroxyapatite used in cosmetics is typically micro-sized, which isn’t nearly as small as nano-sized, and unable to penetrate past skin’s uppermost (epidermal) layers. Think of it in this application as a soft shell which slowly breaks down to release its beneficial contents.