Abstract: Functions of sericin and its enzymatic hydrolysis product (sericin peptide) were studied as the object.Moisturizing performance of sericin peptides with different molecular weight as well as their skin whitening efficacy was measured and determined.Results showed that moisturizing performance of sericin peptide with mass fraction of 5% is better than that of glycerol within time period of 0-14 h;while moisturizing performance of sericin peptide with mass fraction of 10% and 15% can achieve an extent higher than 80%.Further,test result showed that the sericin peptide displays certain skin whitening efficacy.

Key words: cosmetic material, sericin peptide, moisturizing performance, whitening efficacy