Exploring Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) as a Facile Substrate for Testing of Osmolytes as Cosmetic Ingredients

Osmolytes, cellular compounds that maintain osmotic balance and integrity, are gaining attention in cosmetics for their ability to modulate protein folding and stability. Their incorporation into hair and skin care products enhances hydration and strengthens cellular structures. As the cosmetic industry seeks innovative and effective ingredients, osmolytes remain promising candidates for further advancing technologies. This study evaluates the protective effects of four osmolytes-betaine, erythritol, glycine, and isopentyldiol-on bovine serum albumin (BSA), as a substrate, under stressors such as UV irradiation, extreme temperatures, pH changes, surfactants, and oxidative stress. Protein stability was assessed via fluorescence emission. Only betaine at 0.50% <i>w</i>/<i>w</i> provided significant protection under oxidative stress, while glycine was the most effective osmolyte under basic and acidic pH and UVC radiation. Betaine showed potential in mitigating cold-induced stress but increased stress under UVA radiation, highlighting its condition-specific effects. The study emphasizes the need for comprehensive screening and synergistic testing of osmolytes to optimize cosmetic formulations for diverse stressors. Among the tested osmolytes, glycine is a promising candidate for skin and hair care products, though further research is needed. These findings provide a rapid, cost-effective method to evaluate osmolytes' potential, offering valuable insights for cosmetic formulation.