Ectoine is a very special amino acid produced by bacteria that can survive extreme environmental conditions, such as severe drought, UV radiation, or high salt concentrations. This stress-protective ability can also be harnessed for the skin.
First, ectoine has anti-inflammatory and soothing effects on the skin and increases skin resilience.(1-2) In addition, ectoine is particularly effective at moisturizing the skin by minimizing transepidermal water loss and thus preventing the epidermis from drying out.(2) Ectoin in a skincare cream can improve indicators of skin aging, such as skin hydration, skin elasticity, and skin surface structure. (3) In cell studies, ectoin has even been shown to counteract UVA-induced skin aging at various cellular levels. (3–4)