Why source from Japan
UNESCO-listed Tomioka Silk Mill anchors the heritage; remaining sericulture cooperatives prioritise high-grade fibroin for cosmetic and biomedical channels.
Key spec
Hydrolysed molecular weight typically 200–5,000 Da; glycine and alanine dominate amino-acid profile; beta-sheet content drives film-forming properties.
Typical end-product
Hair-strengthening shampoo / treatment, premium moisturisers, biomedical wound dressings.
At a glance
- Suppliers listed
- 2 suppliers
- Typical MOQ
- 1–10 kg powder; 100 g – 5 kg medical-grade
- Typical lead time
- 8–14 weeks
- Regions of origin
- Gunma (Tomioka heritage region), Nagano, Saitama
- Category
- Cosmetic raw materials
- Harvest season
- Cocoon production June – September; processing year-round
- Japan regulatory status
- JSCI listed (加水分解シルク); MHLW cosmetic ingredient
- INCI name
- Hydrolyzed Silk
- Japanese name
- シルクフィブロイン
- Romaji
- Shiruku Fiburoin
About this ingredient
The structural protein of silk (~70-75% of cocoon mass), with hydrolysed forms used in cosmetics and biomedical applications. Distinct from sericin (the gum coating), fibroin's beta-sheet crystal structure gives it superior film-forming and tensile properties; medical-grade fibroin scaffolds are emerging in wound dressings and tissue engineering. Japanese sericulture in Gunma, Nagano, and Saitama supplies cocoon stock; specialty processors hydrolyse fibroin for cosmetic ingredient grades. Often paired with sericin in moisture-and-strengthening positioning.
Regulatory status
| Japan | JSCI listed (加水分解シルク); MHLW cosmetic ingredient |
|---|---|
| EU | CosIng listed (Hydrolyzed Silk); EU 1223/2009 compliant |
| United States | Acceptable for cosmetics under MoCRA |
| China | NMPA cosmetic NCI; verify IECIC inclusion |
Looking for alternatives?
Common reasons buyers swap to a different ingredient — and what we'd suggest based on this ingredient's profile.
Vegan / plant-based alternatives
Silk Fibroin is animal-derived. If you need a non-animal source with similar functions, consider:
Sake Extract
日本酒エキス
INCI Sake Extract (cosmetic) — JSCI ingredient; MOQ from 10–30 kg (cosmetic extract) / 50–500 L (bulk for food use).
Plant-based· shares 3 categories
Japanese Bamboo Charcoal
日本産竹炭
Phyllostachys edulis (Moso Bamboo); Hachiku Bamboo source; MOQ from 100g – 1kg (retail); 500g – 10kg+ (B2B wholesale).
Plant-based· shares 3 categories
Tsubaki / Camellia Oil
椿油
INCI Camellia Japonica Seed Oil; MOQ from 5–20 kg.
Plant-based· shares 2 categories
When does it make sense to swap an ingredient? Read the swap guide →
Japanese suppliers
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Last updated: 2026-05-05