Hydroxypropyl cyclodextrin (inci)

Hydroxypropyl cyclodextrin is a substance used in cosmetic formulations. The substance acts as a skin care and flavouring agent (reduces or inhibits the basic odour or taste of a product).

The term "cyclodextrin" refers to a group of natural ring-shaped oligosaccharides consisting of 6-8 glucose units. These are alpha-1,4 glycosidically linked. Cyclodextrins are formed in nature during the enzymatic degradation of starch by Bacillus macerans. Foreign molecules can be trapped in the cavity formed by the ring-shaped arrangement of the glucose molecules.