Common Name(s): Modified chitosan,cationic biopolymer conjugate,antimicrobial conditioning
CAS Number: N/a
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides substantive cationic conditioning deposition on skin and hair through chitosan's electrostatic charge, antimicrobial activity from the lipid modification's membrane disruption, and enhanced skin compatibility from amino acid or succinamide modification.
Why It's Used: Chitosan modification expands the biopolymer's functionality beyond native conditioning โ fatty acid conjugation provides antimicrobial membrane-disrupting activity; amino acid conjugation provides skin-complementary chemistry for sensitive skin applications.
How It Works: Protonated chitosan amine groups (pka ~6.5) electrostatically bind negative skin/hair surfaces. fatty acid chains (lauric acid c12) provide optimal antimicrobial membrane activity through logp ~4 partitioning into bacterial membranes. the combined substantive deposition + antimicrobial activity enables prolonged anti-acne or anti-dandruff effects.
Typically Found In: Anti-acne,hair conditioning,antimicrobial skin care
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient โ skin microbiome support
Secondary Functions: Microbiome balance,prebiotic effect
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.1%โ3%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Conditional - crustacean or fungal route; fungal chitosan is vegan
Halal Status: Conditional - crustacean or fungal route; feedstock declaration required
Source Notes: Fermentation-derived or plant-extracted. [audit 2026-07-29 rev2: chitin family; a fungal route exists that is both halal-simpler and vegan, so origin must be declared. determination requires shariah-panel sign-off.]
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating; beneficial for sensitive skin.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Ceramides,niacinamide,soothing actives
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Chitosan source matters for vegan formulations: traditional chitosan is from crustacean shells (shrimp, crab); fungal chitosan (from aspergillus or rhizopus cell walls) provides a vegan alternative with identical chemistry for sensitive consumers.
Last Verified: 2026-03-12
Primary Sources: Cosing database,chitosan lauramide succinamide modified chitosan review