Two proteins in which we set the quality benchmark. A page for everyone who wants to know why we work with these particular raw materials and what sets our version apart from the market standard.
Most cosmetic keratin is the alpha form — from wool. We work with the rarer beta form, obtained from turkey feathers. That is a deliberate choice.
Keratin exists in two main structural forms: alpha (helix) and beta (pleated sheet). Wool keratin — the one most commonly used in cosmetics — is the alpha form. Rigid, rich in cysteine (approx. 12%), with a large number of disulphide bridges that give the fibre its stiffness.
Our beta-keratin has a different geometry and a different amino acid profile. Cysteine below 8%, fewer S-S bridges, a peptide molecular weight of ~2 kDa, a pleated structure instead of a helix. The beta form is more stable because its hydrogen bond network is optimally arranged — which gives greater moisturising and water binding capacity in the formulation.
In skin care, beta-keratin shows a predominance of three amino acid groups (acidic, structural and regenerating), which translates into higher bioactivity, better barrier regeneration and support for microcirculation.
| Parameter | Wool keratin (alpha) | Skybiotic keratin (beta) |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | sheep wool | turkey feathers · EU plant |
| Structure | alpha helix | beta sheet (pleated) |
| Cysteine | ~12% | <8% |
| Disulphide bridges | large number | reduced |
| Hydrogen bond network | standard | optimally arranged |
| Amino acid groups(acidic, structural, regenerating) | high cysteine + hydrophobic → lower flexibility in a humid environment | predominance of 3 AA groups → higher bioactivity, moisturisation, regeneration, microcirculation support |
| In hair formulations | stiffness, coating | greater moisturising and water binding capacity |
Most collagen on the market is type I and/or III — bovine or fish. Ours comes from turkey connective tissue, including cartilage tissue, predominantly type II, with 3 times more histidine and 2 times more BCAA.
Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body — it accounts for about 30% of the total protein mass of the organism and builds skin, tendons, ligaments and blood vessel walls. In supplements and cosmetics, most collagen on the market comes from cattle or fish, predominantly types I and III. Both forms are good, but their amino acid profile is limited.
Our collagen comes from turkey connective tissue, including cartilage tissue — a raw material rich in type II, the very type that joints are built from. In addition, it has 3 times the histidine content (~2 g/100 g, vs ~0.7 g in bovine and ~0.5 g in fish) and 2 times the content of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA).
Histidine influences the ability of peptides to neutralise free radicals. BCAA are the building blocks of muscle tissue. Combined with the glycine, proline and hydroxyproline typical of collagen.
| Parameter | Bovine | Fish | Skybiotic turkey |
|---|---|---|---|
| Predominant type | Type I and III | Type I | Type II |
| Histidine (g/100g) | ~0.7 | ~0.5 | ~2.0 |
| Hydroxyproline (g/100g) | ~9 | ~8 | ~8 |
| BCAA (g/100g) | ~6 | ~5 | ~11 |
| Bioavailability (peptides <5 kDa) | good | very good | very good |
| Application | skin | skin | joints, skin, hair |
Deep specialisation — keratin and collagen. The highest quality on the market.
Wool is cheaper and more widely available. But: (1) cysteine at ~12% gives a stiffer fibre and makes penetration harder; (2) the alpha structure forms a coating, whereas beta enters the hair cortex; (3) the supply chain — wool comes from various countries and breeds, while our feathers come from an EU plant with full traceability.
Bovine collagen is proven and inexpensive. We chose turkey because: type II predominates (the building block of connective tissue; bovine is type I and III), 3× higher histidine than in bovine, 2× higher BCAA, a favourable amino acid profile and no trace of BSE in the supply chain.
Fish collagen has high bioavailability — that is an advantage. But: (1) mainly type I, barely present in cartilaginous connective tissue; (2) 4× less histidine than our turkey collagen; (3) the risk of a fish allergen; (4) the zero-waste aspect — our turkey connective tissue is a top-quality raw material, produced under the exceptionally strict supervision of the turkey industry, which guarantees full reproducibility and production safety.
We create our own products and we also support partners with our knowledge of keratin and collagen.
Beta-keratin and collagen in regenerating creams and in shampoos, conditioners and masks. Type II collagen in supplements and serums. Four lines — skin care, hair care, supplements, pet care — each with a different application of keratin and collagen, each made with passion and experience.
If your brand wants to launch a product with beta-keratin or turkey collagen — we can put our knowledge and our formulations to work in your private label project.
“Our specialisation is raw materials of animal origin — collagen and keratin. Knowing plant ingredients allows us to select extracts so that they work with the proteins rather than compete with them in the formulation.”
Skybiotic does not specialise in phytochemistry — it specialises in collagen and keratin. But a good formulation often needs the support of plant compounds: polyphenols, flavonoids, organic acids. We know which extracts stabilise the collagen triple helix, which lower the pH below the isoelectric point of keratin, and which destabilise the absorption of actives. That allows us to design formulations in which proteins and phytocompounds work together.
Read the knowledge baseWe like sharing what we know. Get in touch — we will advise you, send you raw material specifications and do our best to help.
