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Whey Protein
AKA “Milk Whey Protein, Lactalbumin”
Skin Conditioning
Ingredient Facts
Whey protein
AKA: Milk Whey Protein, Lactalbumin
Skin Conditioning · Hair Conditioning · EWG: 1
Synthetic
Skin Conditioner
Hair Care
Clean
Whey Protein is a polypeptide obtained from the fluid part of Milk after separation from curds.
CAS #
84082-51-9
Form
Powder
State
Solid
See origin →
Functions
Hair Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Locks in moisture
Traditional Use
Derived from dairy byproducts, whey protein became popular in skincare formulations in the late 20th century. Milk and dairy-based ingredients have been used in beauty treatments since ancient times, including Cleopatra's famous milk baths.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
Loss of Elasticity
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
EWG
1
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Regulatory Status
USA✔ permitted
EU⚠ restricted
JAPAN⚠ restricted
CANADA⚠ restricted
Hydrolyzed Lactalbumin
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Hydrolyzed Whey Protein
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Whey Protein
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Whey Protein
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Hypersensitivity reaction in an infant fed hydrolyzed lactalbumin contained in a semielemental formula.
Heyman MB, Stoker TW, Rudolph CD, Frick OL
Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition, 1990
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Epicutaneous immunogenicity of partially hydrolyzed whey protein evaluated using tape-stripped mouse model.
Iwamoto H, Matsubara T, Okamoto T, Yoshikawa M, Matsumoto T et al.
Pediatric allergy and immunology : official publication of the European Society of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, 2020
→
Whey protein and male acne: A double-blind, randomized controlled trial.
Sompochpruetikul K, Khongcharoensombat T, Chongpison Y, Rittirongwattana W, Asawanonda P et al.
The Journal of dermatology, 2024
→
Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR