INCI: Glycine - Also known as: L-Glycine, 2-Aminoacetic Acid, Gly

QUICK FACTS

What is glycin?

Glycine is the smallest and simplest of the 20 amino acids, characterized by its single hydrogen side chain - the only amino acid without a chiral center. Despite its structural simplicity, glycine is one of the most biologically significant amino acids in the body. Most notably, it is the most abundant amino acid in collagen - comprising approximately one-third of collagen's primary sequence, where it appears in a repeating Gly-X-Y tripeptide pattern understood to be essential to the triple-helix structure of collagen fibers.

In skin specifically, glycine is present both within the collagen matrix of the dermis and within the natural moisturizing factor of the epidermis. As skin ages and the collagen environment changes, the local availability of glycine in the dermal environment may shift - making topical supplementation a logical complement to the peptide actives in the same formula that are associated with collagen-related activity.

At Sweet Chemistry, glycine is formulated as part of the 1% eleven-amino-acid complex across the three water-based formulas. As the most structurally relevant amino acid to collagen architecture within that blend, it has a particular association with the Matrikynes® peptide technology that anchors the entire product line.

What does it do for skin?

Glycine's most direct skin connection is its role as a collagen-associated amino acid. Fibroblasts are understood to require an adequate local supply of glycine, along with proline and hydroxyproline, to support new collagen formation. When formulated alongside actives associated with collagen-related activity - like Matrikynes® matrikine peptides and THD ascorbate vitamin C - topical glycine contributes the structural raw material alongside the molecular context. This approach is designed to create a more complete environment for the collagen formation process than a peptide or vitamin C active alone could provide.

At the surface, glycine functions as an NMF component, contributing to the water-binding network within the stratum corneum alongside PCA, sodium lactate, and the other amino acids in the complex. Its small molecular size allows it to penetrate more readily into the upper epidermis compared to larger amino acids, making it a useful addition to the formula's moisture-binding approach across skin depths.

Research has also explored glycine's association with glycine-gated chloride channels in immune cells, with some studies linking this to a more settled inflammatory environment. This research-based character supports glycine's inclusion alongside other soothing-associated ingredients in the Sweet Chemistry formulas - including niacinamide, bisabolol, and allantoin - as part of a broader approach to a more comfortable, calmer-looking skin surface.

FOUND IN

In 3 Formulas as Part of the 1% Amino Acid Blend

Glycine is the most collagen-relevant amino acid in Sweet Chemistry's eleven-amino-acid complex, placing it in direct functional association with the Matrikynes® peptide system present in the same formulas.

Nourishment - All Skin Types

Barrier Repairing Hydra-Serum 1% Amino Acid Blend (incl. Glycine) - 1.0 oz / 30 ml

In the Hydra-Serum, glycine is part of the amino acid complex working alongside 3% Matrikynes® peptides and 5% niacinamide - contributing both NMF moisture-binding and a local collagen amino acid environment for active skin renewal.

Hydration - Dry to Normal

Elasticity Reinforcing Hydra-Cream 1% Amino Acid Blend (incl. Glycine) - 1.7 oz / 50 ml

The Hydra-Cream pairs glycine with 3% Matrikynes® peptides and 2% THD ascorbate - creating a collagen-supporting environment where the peptide complex, the vitamin C active, and the amino acid are all present in the same formula.

Hydration - Dry to Dehydrated

Elasticity Reinforcing Lipid-Cream 1% Amino Acid Blend (incl. Glycine) - 1.7 oz / 50 ml

Within the Lipid-Cream, glycine contributes to the amino acid and collagen-associated system embedded in a rich, emollient formula designed for dry and dehydrated skin types.

WORKS TOGETHER WITH

ECM Peptide Complex Matrikynes® Bone Peptides

INCI: Hydrolyzed Cow Bone Extract.

A 3% concentrate of 315+ bioactive matrikine peptides present in all four formulas, associated with improvements in the appearance of skin density and aging signs. Synergy Note: Matrikynes® provides the peptide context for collagen-related activity; glycine is one of collagen's three essential amino acid building blocks - together they are designed to address both the peptide signal and the raw material associated with the collagen formation process.

Stable Vitamin C THD Ascorbate

INCI: Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate.

Present at 2% in the Hydra-Cream and Lipid-Cream, THD ascorbate is associated with collagen-supportive activity as a vitamin C cofactor. Synergy Note: Vitamin C is studied as the cofactor for the enzyme associated with cross-linking proline and glycine into stable collagen fibers - these two ingredients share a research-based association with the same collagen formation process.

NMF Component Sodium PCA

INCI: Sodium PCA.

A highly hygroscopic NMF component present in all three water-based formulas. Synergy Note: Glycine and sodium PCA both contribute to the NMF water-binding network - sodium PCA has a particularly strong independent hygroscopic character, while glycine contributes the structural amino acid component of the NMF alongside it.

Soothing Active Allantoin

INCI: Allantoin.

A plant-derived soothing active present in all three water-based formulas. Synergy Note: Glycine's studied association with a more settled inflammatory environment and allantoin's soothing character operate through different pathways, contributing a complementary approach to a more comfortable skin surface.