What it is
Acetyl Tyrosine is the N-acetyl derivative of the amino acid tyrosine, which improves its solubility and stability compared with free tyrosine. In cosmetics it functions as a skin-conditioning agent and is sometimes included in products marketed toward tanning, where tyrosine is the natural precursor in the body's pigment pathway. It is used at modest levels as a supporting ingredient.
Safety & warnings
Acetyl Tyrosine is generally well tolerated in cosmetic use. Claims linking topical tyrosine derivatives to increased tanning are not well supported, but the ingredient itself is not associated with notable irritation or comedogenicity.
Origin & sourcing
Synthetic or biotechnological; produced by acetylating tyrosine, an amino acid that can be obtained by fermentation or synthesis.
Questions everyone asks
Why is Acetyl Tyrosine in some sun products?
It is included as a conditioning agent and, in tanning-oriented products, as a tyrosine derivative, though topical tyrosine is not a proven tanning booster.
How does it differ from plain tyrosine?
The acetyl group improves solubility and stability, making it easier to formulate than free tyrosine.