Corn starch

Product Information

CosmySupplies supplies cosmetic-grade Hydrolyzed Corn Starch (INCI: Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, CAS 8029-43-4) in India. Produced by AGRANA by enzymatic saccharification and spray-drying of corn starch. Free-flowing white powder, cold water soluble, dry substance minimum 95.0%, pH 4.0 to 5.5. Suggested use level 5 to 20% in hair styling formulations and approximately 1% in skincare. COA available on request. Used as a natural polymer in hair mousses, curl creams, styling gels, and as a skin conditioning and humectant agent in aqueous skincare and cleansing formulations. Shipped from Bengaluru across India. Available at cosmysupplies.com.

INCI: Hydrolyzed Corn Starch | CAS: 8029-43-4 | EINECS: 232-436-4 | Grade: Cosmetic | Form: Powder

DE value: 31.0 to 35.0% in dry substance | Dry substance: min 95.0% | pH (solution): 4.0 to 5.5

Functions (INCI): Binding Agent | Humectant | Skin Conditioning | Viscosity Controlling

Primary application: Natural styling polymer — hair mousse, curl cream, styling gel, styling spritz, beard gel

Secondary application: Skin conditioning and viscosity control in toners, serums, light lotions, and foaming cleansers

Natural Origin | Cold Water Soluble | Vegan Suitable | Halal Suitable | PVP-Free Alternative

Benefits

Natural hold without the synthetic polymer trade-off

Most curl creams and hair mousses on the market use PVP (polyvinylpyrrolidone) or acrylic polymers as the hold agent. These are effective, but they create a labelling problem for any brand positioning itself as natural, clean, or free-from. Hydrolyzed Corn Starch is a plant-derived, water-soluble polymer that delivers a comparable light to medium hold with no synthetic polymer on the ingredient list. At 5 to 15% in a hair mousse, it builds a film on the hair shaft that provides curl retention without leaving the crunchy or stiff residue associated with higher-hold synthetic polymers. For any startup brand building a natural styling range, this is the cleanest route to a functional hold claim.

Cold water soluble

One of the most practical advantages of this specific grade is cold water solubility. Many starch-derived ingredients require heating to fully hydrate and dissolve. AGENABON 20.219 dissolves readily in water at room temperature. Add directly to the aqueous phase without heating. This simplifies the manufacturing process significantly for small-batch formulators working without temperature-controlled equipment, and reduces energy cost at any scale.

High ethanol compatibility for clear formulations

Unlike many natural polymers that produce hazy or cloudy formulations when ethanol is present, AGENABON 20.219 shows high ethanol compatibility per AGRANA's own formulation data. This makes it suitable for clear styling spritz and pump-foam mousses formulated with ethanol. Competing natural starch polymers in the AGRANA range show medium to low ethanol compatibility, making AGENABON 20.219 the preferred grade for transparent formulations where ethanol is part of the base.

Improves foam structure and texture in mousse formats

In aerosol mousses and pump-foam formats, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch contributes to foam density and structure. Manufacturer data indicates it produces a denser, tighter, creamier foam texture compared to a base formula without a starch polymer. This is particularly relevant for brands developing curl-defining mousses and volumising foam products, where foam quality is a direct sensory quality signal to the consumer.

Skin conditioning and humectant function in aqueous skincare

At use levels of approximately 1% in skincare, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch functions as a humectant by drawing moisture from the environment and retaining it at the skin surface. It also acts as a viscosity modifier in water-phase formulations, contributing a smooth, silky application texture in toners, serums, and light emulsions. The CIR Expert Panel reviewed corn-derived cosmetic ingredients and concluded they are safe for use at the concentrations described in their assessment.

Natural origin, biodegradable, vegan, and halal suitable

Hydrolyzed Corn Starch is produced entirely from corn starch via enzymatic processing. It contains no animal-derived material, making it suitable for vegan and halal product positioning. AGRANA's styling starch range is stated as 100% of natural origin per ISO 16128 and readily biodegradable per OECD 301F in their portfolio documentation. Verify that these declarations apply specifically to AGENABON 20.219 before including them on any product label or CSW product page.

Applications and Usage Rates

For hair mousse and foam styling

Use at 5 to 15% in the aqueous phase of aerosol and pump-foam mousses. Dissolve in the water phase at room temperature before adding remaining ingredients. AGENABON 20.219 delivers light to medium hold at these concentrations with a clean, non-tacky hair feel. It shows high performance in aerosol mousses, pump foam mousses (both standard and strong hold), and pump foam formats with ethanol. Compatible with most surfactant and conditioning polymer bases used in hair styling formulations.

For curl creams and leave-in styling

Use at 5 to 20% in water-based curl creams and leave-in conditioners. At the higher end of this range, the styling effect is stronger but remains in the light to medium hold category for this grade. Pairs well with conditioning polymers, panthenol, and natural oils in the oil phase. Adjust concentration based on the hold intensity and hair texture the formula is designed for.

For styling gels and styling spritz

Use at 5 to 20% in aqueous styling gels and pump spritz. A key advantage for gel formulations: AGENABON 20.219 does not significantly increase viscosity at working concentrations, allowing clear gel formulations to be built without a separate thickener. For high-hold gels, it can be combined with other AGRANA styling starches. High ethanol compatibility makes it particularly suited for clear spritz formats.

For beard gels and grooming products

Suitable for beard gels and light grooming creams where a natural hold with no synthetic polymer is required. Use at 5 to 15%. The non-tacky hair feel and clean rinse profile make it appropriate for products that will be re-wetted or restyled.

For skincare and cleansing formulations

In skincare, use at approximately 1% or below as a humectant, skin conditioning agent, and mild viscosity modifier. Suitable for toners, essence-type serums, light lotions, and foaming face washes. At these low concentrations it does not contribute to styling hold; it functions purely as a texture and moisture agent. Dissolve in the water phase at room temperature.

How to Use

Addition method

Add directly to the water or aqueous phase at room temperature. Stir or mix until fully dissolved and the solution is clear or slightly hazy before adding remaining ingredients. No heating required. In ethanol-containing formulations, dissolve in the water portion first, then combine with the ethanol phase.

Working concentration and hold calibration

Start at 5% for light hold and increase up to 20% for medium hold in styling products. For skincare and cleansing applications, start at 0.5% and use at a maximum of approximately 1%. The ingredient does not significantly increase product viscosity, so hold level is controlled by concentration, not by thickening effect.

Combination with other styling polymers

AGENABON 20.219 can be combined with other starch-based styling polymers to increase hold level. For stronger hold in a mousse or gel, combine with AGRANA AGENAJEL (Distarch Phosphate) at lower concentrations of each. Using AGENABON 20.219 alone gives the cleanest, most natural-feeling result with no perceived film or residue.

Stability

Store in sealed original packaging under dry conditions at maximum 70% relative humidity. Shelf life is minimum 60 months from manufacture date under correct storage conditions. Keep away from moisture as the powder is slightly hygroscopic and will absorb ambient moisture if left open. Once dissolved in formulation, stability should be tested in your specific formula at your working pH range of 4.0 to 5.5.

Claims You Can Make

For your label and marketing:

Natural Styling Polymer | Plant-Derived | Corn-Sourced | PVP-Free | Synthetic Polymer-Free | Vegan Suitable | Halal Suitable | Water-Soluble Natural Polymer | Clean Label Hair Care | Skin Conditioning

For your formulator brief:

INCI: Hydrolyzed Corn Starch  | CAS 8029-43-4  | EINECS 232-436-4  | COSING REF 34422 | INCI functions: Binding Agent, Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Viscosity Controlling | CIR Expert Panel reviewed corn-derived cosmetic ingredients safe at concentrations described in assessment (CIR 2011) | Suggested use level 5 to 20% in hair styling, approximately 1% in skincare  | Cold water soluble, no heating required | High ethanol compatibility for clear formulations | Dry substance minimum 95.0%  | pH 4.0 to 5.5 

For usage rate guidance, formulation support, or sample requests, contact the CosmySupplies team.

WhatsApp | Email: info@cosmysupplies.com

Technical Information

Pairs Well With 

Glycerin

Humectant co-ingredient in hair and skin aqueous formulas. Glycerin at 2 to 5% alongside Hydrolyzed Corn Starch increases the moisture-retention profile in styling products and prevents the hair film from becoming brittle or flaky in dry conditions.

 Panthenol (Provitamin B5)

Hair conditioning and moisture retention partner for curl creams and leave-in styling. Panthenol at 1 to 3% alongside Hydrolyzed Corn Starch contributes softness and conditioning alongside the hold function, producing a formulation that conditions as it styles.

 Hydroxyethylcellulose

Natural thickener for gel bases where additional viscosity is required. 

 Niacinamide

Skin conditioning co-ingredient in aqueous serums and toners where Hydrolyzed Corn Starch is used at its skincare concentration of approximately 1%. The two ingredients work on different mechanisms and are fully compatible in an aqueous system at pH 4.0 to 5.5.

 Hyaluronic Acid (Sodium Hyaluronate)

High-performance humectant pairing for skin conditioning formulas. Sodium Hyaluronate at 0.1 to 0.5% alongside Hydrolyzed Corn Starch in a serum or toner creates a layered moisture retention system — HA draws deep moisture, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch conditions the surface texture.

 PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil

Solubiliser for fragrance and essential oils in water-based styling products. In a curl cream or spritz that incorporates a fragrance or botanical oil, PEG-40 HCO at 1 to 2% ensures compatibility without disrupting the Hydrolyzed Corn Starch polymer network.

 Cetrimonium Chloride

Conditioning cationic in curl creams and leave-in treatments. Cetrimonium Chloride at 0.5 to 1% adds anti-frizz and detangling performance alongside the hold and conditioning function of Hydrolyzed Corn Starch.

Important Information

Hydrolyzed Corn Starch is derived from corn (Zea Mays). Individuals with known corn or corn-derived ingredient sensitivities should evaluate suitability in finished product formulations before wide-scale use.

This ingredient is slightly hygroscopic. Store in sealed original packaging under dry conditions at maximum 70% relative humidity. Reseal immediately after use. Do not store in a humid environment.

This ingredient is intended for cosmetic manufacturing use. COA is available on request. Contact us via WhatsApp or email.