Updated: November 2025

How Functional Keratin™ supports skin health from the inside out, backed by clinical science and real results

If you're looking for a way to genuinely boost your skin health and appearance, keratin supplementation might be exactly what you need.

But here's the thing: not all keratin supplements are created equal.

Most of what's available is hydrolysed keratin, which provides temporary surface-level benefits. What you really want is Functional Keratin™, which works at the cellular level to create lasting transformation.

Let's explore exactly how keratin supports skin health, why Functional Keratin™ is superior, and how to use it for genuinely glowing skin.

What Is Keratin and Why Is It So Good for Skin?

Keratin: Your Skin's Structural Foundation

Keratin is a fibrous protein that makes up much of your skin, hair, and nails.

It's not just a surface coating. It's structural.

What keratin does in your skin:

Provides structure and firmness

Acts as a protective barrier against environmental damage

Maintains elasticity and flexibility

Supports hydration and moisture retention

Works alongside collagen and elastin for skin integrity

Without adequate keratin, your skin becomes compromised.

The Keratin-Ageing Connection

Here's what happens as you age:

Your body naturally produces less keratin over time

This decline accelerates in your 30s and 40s

Environmental stressors (UV exposure, pollution, heat) accelerate keratin loss

Poor nutrition and chronic stress deplete keratin production

The result is visible ageing: wrinkles, dryness, dullness, loss of firmness

But here's the empowering part:

You can actively support your body's keratin production

You can restore keratin levels through supplementation

You can reverse visible signs of ageing

What Keratin Loss Actually Looks Like

When keratin levels decline, you notice:

Fine lines and wrinkles appear more pronounced

Skin becomes dry and dehydrated

Complexion becomes dull and lacklustre

Skin loses firmness and elasticity

Skin feels rough and uneven in texture

You might get asked if you're tired or feeling stressed

This isn't inevitable ageing. It's keratin deficiency.

Functional Keratin™ vs. Hydrolysed Keratin: Understanding the Difference

Why Most Keratin Supplements Disappoint

Most mainstream keratin supplements contain hydrolysed keratin.

This is keratin that's been broken down into tiny fragments.

The problem:

When keratin is broken down this much, it loses structural integrity

It provides temporary surface effects only

Your body can't effectively use it at the cellular level

Results wash out after a few weeks

This creates a cycle of perpetual disappointment.

The Functional Keratin™ Advantage

Products powered by Functional Keratin™ maintain the full protein structure.

Why this matters:

91% bio-identical to human keratin

Your body recognises it as compatible and can immediately utilise it

It works at the cellular level for lasting results

Clinical studies show measurable, sustained improvements

The research:

43% reduction in hair loss within 60 days

17.61% improvement in hair cortex integrity

10.1% increase in skin elasticity within 60 days

These aren't marketing claims. These are peer-reviewed, published results.

How Keratin Supports Skin Health: The Mechanisms

Hydration and Moisture Retention

Keratin helps your skin hold onto moisture.

Here's how:

Keratin proteins help seal the outer layers of skin

This reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL)

Your skin stays hydrated at a deeper level

Hydrated skin looks plumper and more radiant

Fine lines appear less prominent

Barrier Function Restoration

Your skin has a protective barrier called the stratum corneum.

When this barrier is compromised, skin suffers.

Keratin strengthens this barrier by:

Filling gaps between skin cells

Creating a more cohesive protective layer

Reducing sensitivity and reactivity

Protecting against environmental pollutants

Preventing inflammation and irritation

Skin Cell Production and Renewal

Your skin cells are constantly dying and regenerating.

Keratin supports this renewal process.

Supporting healthy cell turnover means:

Dead skin cells shed more efficiently

New, healthy skin cells emerge

Your complexion becomes brighter and smoother

Skin texture improves visibly

The glow comes from fresh, new skin emerging.

Collagen Synergy

Keratin works alongside collagen to support skin structure.

While collagen provides elasticity, keratin provides firmness.

Together they create:

Resilient, bouncy skin

Improved skin elasticity (clinically measured at 10.1% improvement)

Better resistance to sagging and wrinkles

A more youthful appearance overall

Taking both together creates synergistic results.

How to Use Keratin Supplements for Glowing Skin

Internal Support: Oral Keratin Supplements

The most effective approach is internal supplementation.

Oral keratin supplements work by:

Being absorbed into your bloodstream

Providing keratin directly to skin cells

Supporting your body's natural keratin production

Creating results from the inside out

How to take them:

Follow the recommended dosage on the product

Take consistently daily for best results

Results typically appear within 4-8 weeks

Dramatic results become visible by 12 weeks

Consistency matters more than dosage.

What to expect:

Weeks 1-2: Skin feels slightly smoother

Weeks 2-4: Hydration improves noticeably

Weeks 4-8: Fine lines soften, texture improves

Weeks 8-12: Significant transformation, improved radiance

External Support: Topical Keratin Products

Topical products work alongside internal supplementation.

Topical keratin products include:

Serums with Functional Keratin™

Creams and moisturisers

Targeted treatments for specific concerns

How they work:

Deliver keratin directly to the skin surface

Improve hydration and texture immediately

Boost the effects of internal supplementation

Create a comprehensive repair system

How to use topical products:

Apply to clean skin morning and night

Use after cleansing but before moisturiser

Allow to absorb fully before applying other products

Layer with collagen products for synergistic results

The Combined Approach: Inside and Out

The most powerful approach combines internal and external support.

Why this works:

Internal supplementation supports keratin at the cellular level

Topical products boost hydration and barrier function

Together they create comprehensive skin transformation

Results are faster and more dramatic

The ideal system:

Take Functional Keratin™ supplements daily

Use a Triple-Keratin Complex™ serum morning and night

Moisturise with a nourishing product

Use SPF during the day for protection

This consistent approach creates extraordinary results.

Supporting Your Skin From Every Angle

Nutrition Matters

Keratin supplements work best when supported by good nutrition.

Eat foods that support keratin production:

Protein-rich foods (eggs, fish, chicken, beans)

Foods high in biotin (almonds, sweet potatoes, spinach)

Vitamin C sources (citrus, berries, leafy greens)

Zinc-rich foods (pumpkin seeds, beef, chickpeas)

Antioxidant-rich foods (dark chocolate, blueberries, green tea)

Your skin is built from what you eat.

Lifestyle Support

Your daily habits affect how well keratin supplements work.

Prioritise:

Sleep (7-9 hours for skin repair and regeneration)

Stress management (chronic stress depletes keratin)

Hydration (drinking water supports skin hydration)

Sun protection (UV damage destroys keratin)

Movement and exercise (improves circulation and blood flow to skin)

These aren't optional extras. They're essential for real results.

Consistency Over Perfection

The secret to glowing skin is consistency.

This means:

Taking supplements every single day

Using topical products as directed

Not expecting overnight miracles

Trusting the process and showing up daily

By week 4 you'll notice changes. By week 12 you'll see transformation.

Quality Matters: Choosing the Right Keratin Supplement

Red Flags to Avoid

Not all keratin supplements are created equal.

Be cautious of:

Products that claim instant results

Supplements without clear ingredient lists

Brands that use cheap hydrolysed keratin

Products making health claims without research

Suspiciously cheap products (you get what you pay for)

What to Look For

Choose products that:

Clearly state they contain Functional Keratin™

Have published clinical studies backing their claims

Use natural, recognisable ingredients

Come from reputable brands committed to transparency

Have realistic expectations about results

Why Kiri10 Is Different

Our commitment to quality means:

We source Functional Keratin™ from regenerative New Zealand farms

Our suppliers prioritise safety and testing

We're transparent about our ingredients and sourcing

We back our claims with clinical research

We prioritise your results over quick profits

When you choose Kiri10, you're choosing integrity.

Your Skin Transformation Awaits

What You Can Realistically Expect

Real transformation takes time, but it's absolutely achievable.

By 12 weeks of consistent use:

Visibly softer fine lines

Improved skin hydration and plumpness

Brighter, more radiant complexion

Smoother, more even skin texture

Increased firmness and elasticity

People will ask what you're doing differently

The Ripple Effects

When your skin glows, everything shifts.

You notice:

More confidence looking in the mirror

People commenting on how great you look

Feeling more like yourself than you have in years

Understanding that self-care creates genuine beauty

This is what real beauty is: taking care of yourself.

References and Further Reading

• Keratin and Skin Health - PMC - Scientific overview of keratin's role in skin

• Collagen vs. Keratin - Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology - Research comparing protein roles in skin

• Skin Barrier Function - Harvard Medical School - Information on skin barrier health

• Effect of keraGEN IV Keratin Oral Supplementation - Lincoln Agritech - Clinical study showing 10.1% skin elasticity improvement

• Hydration and Skin Health - NIH - Research on skin hydration

• Biotin and Hair and Skin - Dermatology Practical and Conceptual - Information on nutritional support

• KiriGlow Keratin Supplement - Kiri10 - Functional Keratin™ supplement for skin, hair, and nails

• Triple-Keratin Complex™ Serum - Kiri10 - Topical keratin support powered by Functional Keratin™