Database/Buffering/Copper Glycinate
Route-dependent · ISO 16128

Is Copper Glycinate natural?

It depends. The copper counter-ion is mineral; whether the glycine half is natural depends on the supplier's glycine source.

INCI nameCopper Glycinate
CAS32817-15-5
FormulaC2H5CuNO2 · 138.61 Da
FunctionBuffering
Feedstockcopper salt of glycine (fermentation or synthetic).

Why the score varies

This ingredient is made commercially by more than one route, and ISO 16128 scores the feedstock actually used. Without a supplier certificate of origin the value cannot be claimed.

RouteFeedstockNOIShareNotes
natural-origin glycineglycine from fermentation or protein hydrolysis chelated with copper (mineral)1.00minorityevery atom natural or mineral origin
synthetic glycineglycine from chloroacetic acid + ammonia (petrochemical) chelated with copper (mineral)0.30majorityonly the copper 63.5 Da of 211.7 Da is natural origin; 63.5/211.7 = 0.3
Ask your supplier. A batch-specific certificate of origin or bio-based carbon test (ASTM D6866) settles which route applies.

How we scored it

Glycine is route-dependent on this site (see Glycine). Copper glycinate 211.7 Da = copper 63.5 Da (mineral, natural) + two glycinate residues (route-dependent). Natural glycine: 1.0; synthetic glycine: 63.5/211.7 = 0.3.
What counts. ISO 16128-2 scores the atoms that remain in the final ingredient. Reagents, solvents, catalysts and protecting groups used during manufacture leave no mass behind and are not counted.

Where it comes from

copper salt of glycine (fermentation or synthetic).

In plain English

A copper chelate of the amino acid glycine. Used in skincare to deliver copper and help buffer formula pH.

Natural alternatives with the same function

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Structure

2D structure of Copper Glycinate

2-aminoacetic acid;copper

PubChem CID 57419197 ↗

References

  1. 1ISO 16128-1:2016 and ISO 16128-2:2017 — Guidelines on technical definitions and criteria for natural and organic cosmetic ingredients and products. ISO, Geneva.
  2. 2Copper Glycinate. PubChem CID 57419197. National Center for Biotechnology Information. pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
  3. 3COPPER GLYCINATE. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
  4. 4COPPER GLYCINATE. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=COPPER%20GLYCINATE