The jelly that is talked about so much now, for skin care, therefore for cosmetic purposes, can be taken both topically and internally, in the form of creams or masks or food supplements .
It can be found in pharmacies, parapharmacies and even via the internet.
Let's see specifically what it is.
What is cosmetic gelatin
Gelatin is a pure protein obtained from animal raw material containing collagen. Hydrolyzed collagen is produced by enzymatic hydrolysis of collagen. Hydrolyzed collagen appears as a whitish, soluble and tasteless powder. It is a thickener and binder that comes from the same raw material as gelatine but does not have the same gelling behavior.
Most of the gelatine or collagen that is found on the market comes from animals, specifically cattle and pigs, although lately even marine species represent an important source, for this reason it is also known as ichthyol or isinglass .
Animal gelatin is obtained in practice by extraction in hot aqueous solution from the animal connective tissues after having undergone a process of acid or alkaline hydrolysis.
Edible gelatin: pros and cons
The jelly pros
Those who say they are in favor of its use are based on the fact that certain studies state that gelatine is a good compound for the organism, capable of bringing beauty and health, since, overcoming the intestinal barrier, it goes to act and reach the various parts of the body where it is needed.
In doing so it fills gaps in the joints and in the structure of the skin (wrinkles, stretch marks, lack of elasticity), nails and hair . It would also be a useful nutritional source for the supportive and for those who need protein support .
I against gelatin
Who is against the use of such a substance are those people who do not want animals to be "used" for cosmetic or food purposes, such as vegans or vegetarians, or by those who practice and follow certain religions .
For this reason, those who are ethically oriented in a certain direction will never purchase products based on animal gelatine, from certain gummy candies to the skin creams that contain it.
Certainly a valid substitute in the kitchen is represented by a gelatin of vegetable origin, the agar-agar, which derives from an alga.
Attention in this sense to the acronym E441, because animal gelatine is really present as a thickener in many and sometimes unthinkable products, from yogurt to nutritional bars, dietary products, even shampoos.
Curiosity : also in the photographic field gelatine is used, as well as fertilizer and in the paper industry, and serves as a binder for photosensitive silver hologenides, used to produce photographic materials based on silver salt.
