Myristoyl hydrolyzed collagen is a substance used in cosmetic formulations. The name component "myristoyl" describes an ingredient which contains among others myristic acid (tetradecanoic acid) as fatty acid component. "Hydrolyzed collagen" means collagen hydrolysates which have been made water-soluble by enzymatic processes. They are obtained from animal connective tissue, especially bovine collagen. In Asia, collagen hydrolysates are often obtained from Pacific fish species (cod) or from chicken collagen.
The mixture of substances acts as an antistatic agent (reduces static charges by neutralizing the electrical charge on the surface, for example in hair; makes the skin supple and smooth), surfactant (washing-active substance), skin care and hair conditioning agent (makes the hair easy to comb, smooth, soft and shiny and gives it volume)