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

Is Zinc Glycinate natural?

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

INCI nameZinc Glycinate
CAS14281-83-5
FormulaC4H8N2O4Zn · 213.5 Da
FunctionBuffering
Feedstockzinc 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 zinc (mineral)1.00minorityevery atom natural or mineral origin
synthetic glycineglycine from chloroacetic acid + ammonia (petrochemical) chelated with zinc (mineral)0.31majorityonly the zinc 65.4 Da of 213.5 Da is natural origin; 65.4/213.5 = 0.31
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). Zinc glycinate 213.5 Da = zinc 65.4 Da (mineral, natural) + two glycinate residues (route-dependent). Natural glycine: 1.0; synthetic glycine: 65.4/213.5 = 0.31.
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

zinc salt of glycine (fermentation or synthetic).

In plain English

A zinc salt of glycine, a simple amino acid. Used to buffer formulas and supply zinc, a mineral, to skincare products.

Natural alternatives with the same function

Alstonia Scholaris Bark Extract 100% natural origin

An extract of the bark of Alstonia scholaris, a tropical evergreen tree, made by soaking the bark in…

 Aluminum Lactate 100% natural origin

Aluminum lactate is a mineral salt of lactic acid, used in deodorants for its astringent, sweat-reducing properties and…

 Babassu Acid 100% natural origin

A blend of fatty acids from babassu palm seed oil, used to cleanse and help stabilise the texture…

 Bismuth Citrate 100% natural origin

A salt formed from bismuth metal and citric acid, a natural fermentation-derived fruit acid, used to buffer, chelate…

 Boric Acid 100% natural origin

A mild mineral acid mined from natural borate deposits or brine. Used in small amounts to buffer pH,…

 Calcium Carbonate 100% natural origin

A finely ground mineral powder from limestone or chalk. Bulks out powders and pastes, acts as a mild…

Structure

2D structure of Zinc Glycinate

zinc bis(2-aminoacetate)

PubChem CID 151910 ↗

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. 2Zinc Glycinate. PubChem CID 151910. National Center for Biotechnology Information. pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
  3. 3ZINC GLYCINATE. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
  4. 4ZINC GLYCINATE. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=ZINC%20GLYCINATE