Ingredient glossary / Humectant
Ectoin
On the label: Ectoin · Humectant
What it is
A molecule from bacteria that live in salt lakes, used to hold water in the surface of skin.
Humectants: Humectants draw water into the outer layer of skin from the air and the layers below; glycerin is the classic one.
Wikidata: Group of stereoisomers with the chemical formula C₆H₁₀N₂O₂. Q104200548 →
In the research
15 PubMed papers mention it with skin, cosmetics or hair; the three most recent:
- : Real-World Cases Using Phyto Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) Serum · Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD, 2026
- Topical and Oral Photoprotection for the Treatment of Photodermatoses. A Survey of 90 Dermatologists · Photobiomodulation, photomedicine, and laser surgery, 2026
- Efficacy and safety of commercially available cosmetic perioperative skincare products for non-invasive energy-based device treatment: a single-centre, randomized, placebo-controll · European journal of dermatology : EJD, 2025
A paper is a paper, not a verdict: titles are listed so you can read them, and a study on cells or mice says little about a cream on a face.
Other humectants
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