Ingredient Spotlight: Ectoin

Ectoin is one of the newest ingredients on the skincare market, and it is rapidly gaining interest. But few people know the story behind this emerging powerhouse ingredient.

What is Ectoin?

Ectoin is an amino acid derived from several species of bacteria. Ectoin is an extremolyte - or an organic osmolyte extracted from extremophiles. Extremophiles are microorganisms that have evolved to survive in very harsh environments such as those with extreme salinity, heat, cold and drought. In other words, ectoin is found in small microorganisms that live in salt lakes, deserts, and other such places. Extremolytes are small organic molecules, which protect cells under extreme virtually inhabitable conditions. They do this by accumulating water inside cells and tissues which protect them in times of dehydration and environmental stress.

Why is ectoin good for the skin?

Ectoin can act as a cell protector and stabilizer. It can also boost hydration at the cellular level and help guard against UV irradiation. This means that skin care products containing ectoin can help strengthen the skin’s barrier which helps reduce trans-epidurmal water loss (TEWL). It also provides super moisturization properties and can reduce the effects of photoaging.

In simpler terms: ectoin provides deep and lasting hydration to the skin. Studies have shown that after using products containing ectoin for 14 days, your skin will stay hydrated for an additional 7 days after the usage period.

What products have ectoin?

Despite rave reviews by dermatologists and aestheticians (some have even described ectoin as better than hyaluronic acid in terms of benefits to skin hydration), this new powerful ingredient hasn’t yet taken the skin care world by storm. But, multiple companies offer a range of skin care products containing ectoin. 

We recommend starting with our very own Dew Drops Hydrating Serum - a deeply moisturizing antioxidant and vitamin-rich gel serum. This oil-free moisturizer combines niacinamide with hyaluronic acid, the body’s natural hydrator, to help bind moisture to the skin. It can be used alone or with a daily moisturizer to provide extra hydration, and is an ideal moisturizer for acne prone skin.