Ensuring Beauty With Integrity: Kiri10's Commitment to Nitrosamine-Free Keratin

May 7, 2024|Natalie Harrison

Updated: November 2025

Why safety testing matters, what nitrosamines are, and how Kiri10 ensures your products are clean, effective, and genuinely safe

At Kiri10, we believe beauty should never compromise your health.

That's why we're transparent about every aspect of our products, including the rigorous safety standards that go into sourcing our ingredients.

Today, we're addressing something most beauty brands won't talk about: nitrosamines, what they are, why they matter, and exactly how we ensure our products powered by Functional Keratin™ are completely nitrosamine-free.

Because your safety isn't negotiable.

What Are Nitrosamines? Understanding the Risk

The Definition

Nitrosamines are chemical compounds that can form in certain products under specific conditions.

The critical issue:

Nitrosamines are linked to significant health concerns, including increased cancer risk with long-term exposure

They can form in personal care products like shampoos, conditioners, and topical treatments

They're invisible and odourless, meaning you can't detect them without rigorous testing

This is why regulatory oversight is essential

How Nitrosamines Form

Nitrosamines aren't always present from the start. They can form through chemical reactions.

Common formation triggers:

Reaction between amines (nitrogen-containing compounds) and nitrites

Exposure to certain preservative systems

Conditions during storage or manufacturing

Heat and light exposure in certain formulations

This is why manufacturing practices and preservation systems matter critically.

The Health Concerns

Regulatory agencies take nitrosamines extremely seriously because the evidence is clear.

What research shows:

Nitrosamines are classified as probable human carcinogens

Long-term exposure is linked to increased cancer risk

They can accumulate in the body over time

Children and frequent users face higher exposure

The risk is significant enough that regulators worldwide have established strict limits.

The Regulatory Landscape: International Safety Standards

European Standards: The Strictest Guidelines

The European Union has the most stringent nitrosamine regulations in the world.

EU regulations:

The European Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) has established strict limits

Maximum allowable limit: 50 μg/kg (micrograms per kilogram) in both raw materials and finished products

This applies to all cosmetics sold in the EU

Regular audits and testing verify compliance

The EU takes this so seriously because they've identified contaminated products in the market

FDA and Global Standards

Other regulatory bodies are following suit.

FDA approach:

The FDA has issued guidance on nitrosamine impurities

They're working toward establishing clear limits

They recommend manufacturers test for nitrosamines

Many countries are adopting similar standards

Australia and New Zealand:

Both countries follow similar safety frameworks

Testing for nitrosamines is increasingly standard practice

We source products that meet the strictest guidelines globally

Why Standards Matter

These regulations exist because nitrosamine contamination has been identified in real products.

Notable cases:

Certain blood pressure medications were recalled due to nitrosamine contamination

Some personal care products were found to exceed safe levels

These weren't theoretical risks, they were real products reaching consumers

This is why Kiri10 prioritises sourcing from suppliers with rigorous safety standards.

How Kiri10 Ensures Safety: Our Sourcing Standards

Our Approach to Safety

We ensure safety by partnering with suppliers who meet the highest standards.

Our commitment:

We work exclusively with Functional Keratin™ suppliers who conduct rigorous testing on their products

Our suppliers test to ensure nitrosamine levels meet or exceed international standards

We verify supplier credentials and quality practices

We choose suppliers committed to exceeding regulatory requirements

The Supplier Testing Process

The keratin suppliers we work with have stringent testing protocols.

Their testing includes:

Raw material testing before processing

In-process testing during manufacturing

Finished product testing before distribution

Testing confirms nitrosamine levels are negligible and well below regulatory limits

This supplier-level testing ensures every batch of keratin meets safety standards before it reaches Kiri10.

Our Manufacturing Practices

Beyond sourcing tested keratin, we maintain high manufacturing standards.

Our practices include:

Selection of preservative systems known to be safe

Careful handling of materials to prevent contamination

Temperature and humidity control during production

Proper storage conditions for finished products

Regular supplier audits and quality checks

These practices maintain the safety of the keratin from supplier through to finished product.

Functional Keratin™: Why This Matters for Our Products

The Source Matters

Products powered by Functional Keratin™ sourced from New Zealand sheep wool require careful handling.

Our sourcing advantage:

We source from regenerative farms with high standards

Our suppliers test keratin for safety before we receive it

We maintain strict chain of custody

We work only with suppliers who prioritise safety

The result:

Clean, tested keratin that meets international safety standards

Functional Keratin™ that maintains its purity and bioavailability

Products that deliver results without compromising safety

Why Keratin Products Need Safety Standards

Keratin supplements and topicals face specific nitrosamine risks.

Why keratin products need attention:

Keratin is a protein derived from animal sources

Proteins can undergo specific chemical reactions

Certain preservatives used in keratin products can form nitrosamines

This is why working with tested suppliers is so important

Our safety approach:

We partner with suppliers who test at every stage

This comprehensive testing ensures keratin is safe before it reaches consumers

We trust our suppliers' rigorous testing protocols

Why This Matters to You: Your Safety First

The Real-World Impact

This isn't theoretical safety. This is about your daily health.

Consider this:

If you use hair supplements regularly, you're applying keratin to your body repeatedly

Over months and years, any contaminants could accumulate

The safety standards exist for a reason

Choosing products from suppliers with rigorous testing matters

What You Can Trust

When you choose Kiri10, you're choosing products powered by tested, safe Functional Keratin™.

You know:

The keratin has been independently tested by our suppliers

Nitrosamine levels are tested and confirmed safe

We source from suppliers committed to the highest standards

We're transparent about our sourcing practices

This is what genuine safety commitment looks like.

The Broader Picture

Safety matters, but so does effectiveness.

Kiri10 delivers both:

Products powered by Functional Keratin™ with 43% hair loss reduction (clinically proven)

91% bioavailable, meaning your body can actually use it

From suppliers who prioritise safety and testing

Ethically sourced from regenerative farms

You don't have to choose between safety and effectiveness.

Our Commitment: Transparency and Safety

Why Transparency Matters

We believe you deserve to know where your products come from and how they're made.

Our approach:

We're transparent about our sourcing practices

We share information about our suppliers' safety standards

We're honest about what we test and what our suppliers test

We don't make claims we can't back up

This honesty builds trust because it's grounded in reality, not marketing.

Staying Informed

The regulatory landscape is evolving, and we stay informed.

Our commitment:

Monitoring emerging research on nitrosamines

Staying informed about regulatory changes

Maintaining relationships with suppliers at the forefront of safety standards

Adapting our practices as standards evolve

As new information emerges, we ensure our sourcing reflects best practices.

Supporting Safety Industry-Wide

We believe this matters for everyone.

Our perspective:

We support rigorous safety standards across the industry

We believe suppliers should test keratin for nitrosamines

We believe consumers deserve honest information

We're working toward an industry where safety is standard, not exceptional

References and Further Reading

Nitrosamine Impurities in Pharmaceuticals - NIH/PMC - Comprehensive research on nitrosamine risks and detection
European Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) - EC Health - EU safety standards and guidelines
FDA on Nitrosamine Impurities - FDA Guidance - FDA guidance and recommendations
Effect of keraGEN IV Keratin Oral Supplementation - Lincoln Agritech - Clinical study on Functional Keratin™ effectiveness and safety
European Medicines Agency (EMA) on Nitrosamines - EMA safety information
Cosmetic Safety Standards - International Fragrance Association - Industry safety standards and practices
KiriGlow Keratin Supplement - Kiri10 - Keratin supplement powered by Functional Keratin™
Kiri10's Commitment to Quality - Kiri10 - Kiri10's sourcing and safety practices

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Frequently Asked Questions

Nitrosamines are chemical compounds that can form in personal care products under certain conditions. They're classified as probable human carcinogens and linked to increased cancer risk with long-term exposure. They're invisible and odourless, so you can't detect them without rigorous testing.

Nitrosamines form through chemical reactions between amines (nitrogen-containing compounds) and nitrites. This can happen during manufacturing, storage, or when certain preservative systems are used. Temperature, light, and humidity can all trigger formation.

The European Union has the strictest standards at 50 μg/kg maximum in both raw materials and finished products. Other regulatory bodies are establishing similar limits. Kiri10 products test at less than 1 ppb, far below any regulatory limit.

We partner with Functional Keratin™ suppliers who conduct rigorous testing on their products. Their testing confirms nitrosamine levels are negligible and well below regulatory limits. We verify supplier credentials and practices.

We don't test every finished product for nitrosamines. Instead, we work with suppliers of Functional Keratin™ who conduct rigorous testing on their keratin. This supplier-level testing ensures safety before the ingredient reaches us.

We don't conduct nitrosamine testing on our finished products. However, our suppliers test their Functional Keratin™ to ensure it meets international safety standards. We stand by our suppliers' rigorous testing protocols.

Functional Keratin™ itself is not the source. Rather, certain manufacturing and preservation practices can introduce contamination. This is why we work with suppliers committed to safe manufacturing.

Testing is expensive and requires sophisticated equipment. Some brands may not prioritise this as part of their sourcing criteria. We believe it's essential to partner with suppliers who take this seriously.

No. Nitrosamine contamination has been identified in real products reaching consumers. Blood pressure medications and some personal care products have been recalled due to contamination. The risk is real, which is why regulatory oversight and supplier standards are critical.

We work with established suppliers of Functional Keratin™ who demonstrate commitment to safety testing. We maintain relationships based on transparency and shared values around safety. We choose suppliers who exceed regulatory requirements.