a substance derived from the secretions of snails and contained in some plants, used in skin care products and valued for its soothing properties
Word origin
C19: from allantois
allantoin in American English
(əˈlæntouɪn)
noun
Biochemistry & Pharmacology
a white powder, C4H6N4O3, produced by oxidation of uric acid and the major excretory product of purine degradation in many vertebrates: used medicinally to heal skin ulcers and in lotions, lipsticks, etc., for its soothing effect
Word origin
[1835–45; allanto(is) + -in2; so named because it is found in the fluid of the allantois]This word is first recorded in the period 1835–45. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: communism, cutaway, faceplate, hot plate, protein-in is a noun suffix used in a special manner in chemical and mineralogical nomenclature(glycerin; acetin, etc.). In spelling, usage wavers between -in and -ine. In chemistry a certain distinction of use is attempted, basic substances havingthe termination -ine rather than -in (aconitine; aniline, etc.), and -in being restricted to certain neutral compounds, glycerides, glucosides, and proteids(albumin; palmitin, etc.), but this distinction is not always observed
Examples of 'allantoin' in a sentence
allantoin
It contains allantoin to soothe and witch-hazel to freshen.
The Sun (2009)
Hooray, then, for skin-saving ingredient allantoin.
The Sun (2013)
This one instantly absorbs grease, while conditioning and caring for your scalp with soothing allantoin and bisabolol.