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Betaine

HYDRATOR

Betaine

A naturally derived hydrating ingredient, first found in sugar beet, that helps skin cells manage the water they hold.

Source

Sugar beet

Used for

Hydration, skin and hair conditioning

How it works

Betaine (also called glycine betaine or trimethylglycine) is found naturally in sugar beets and many plants, where it helps cells regulate water balance under stress. In skincare, it works differently from a classic humectant like glycerin: rather than simply drawing water to the surface, it helps skin cells manage the water they already hold.

Studies have found that betaine paired with aloe vera supports aquaporin-3, a channel that helps skin cells move and manage water, and that a shower gel made with the pair improved skin hydration both after a single use and with regular use.

Betaine is gentle enough for daily use, morning or evening, and pairs naturally with both humectants and occlusive moisturisers as part of a hydration-focused routine. It has no particular caution attached to it.
  1. 01

    A gentle osmolyte that helps skin manage its own hydration

  2. 02

    Naturally derived, found in sugar beets and many plants

  3. 03

    Gentle enough for daily use, morning or evening

Questions

What is betaine?
Betaine, also called trimethylglycine, is a naturally occurring compound derived from the amino acid glycine, and it was first discovered in the juice of sugar beets. In cosmetics it is listed as a humectant and as a skin and hair conditioning ingredient, and it can be of plant or synthetic origin. (PubChem; COSMILE Europe)
Is betaine the same as cocamidopropyl betaine?
No. Betaine is the small parent molecule. Cocamidopropyl betaine carries a long fatty chain from coconut, which makes it a surfactant: it is listed as a cleansing and foam-boosting ingredient, the kind found in shampoos and washes. Betaine itself is listed as a humectant and conditioning ingredient rather than a cleanser. (COSMILE Europe)
Is there research on betaine for skin?
Yes. Research found betaine combined with aloe vera raised levels of aquaporin-3, a water channel in skin cells, and a shower gel containing the pair improved skin hydration with regular use. An older study found soaps containing betaine were the least irritating of those tested. (Filatov et al., 2024; Nicander et al., 2003)

Where it comes from

Betaine is a naturally occurring compound that was first discovered in the juice of sugar beets (Beta vulgaris), and sugar beet remains a well-known source. It is also formed in the human body, from choline. (PubChem)

The betaine used in cosmetics can be of plant or synthetic origin; either way it is the same molecule. (COSMILE Europe)

The research

Found In

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