Ectoin is a small cyclic amino-acid derivative, often called an extremolyte. It was originally identified in microorganisms adapted to high-salt and other stressful environments. In cosmetics, it is valued primarily for hydration, skin-barrier support, soothing/sensitive-skin formulations, and helping protect skin from environmental stress. Ectoin is especially suitable for face serums, moisturizers, eye products, sensitive-skin creams, barrier-support products, after-sun products, masks, baby-care products, and hair-care formulations. Technical guidance also describes it as compatible with other cosmetic actives.
Recommended Usage Rate
For a high-purity Ectoin powder a practical formulation range is:
Application Suggested Ectoin
General moisturizer / lotion 0.3–1%
Facial serum 0.5–2%
Eye serum / eye cream 0.5–1%
Sensitive-skin / barrier cream 0.5–2%
After-sun / environmental-stress serum 1–2%
Hair/scalp products 0.3–1%
INCI: Ectoin
CAS: 96702-03-3
Form: White to off-white crystalline powder
Solubility: Freely soluble in water
For most Botanic Planet formulations, I would position the recommended use rate as 0.3–2%. Around 1% is a useful starting point for a premium facial serum or moisturizer.
How to Use
Ectoin is very easy to formulate because it is water soluble. Add it to the water phase and mix until completely dissolved. Technical guidance indicates that it can be incorporated into either a hot or cold aqueous phase before emulsification and reports stability over a broad pH 1–9 range.
For example, for a 10 kg facial serum at 1% Ectoin, use:
Ectoin: 100 g
Finished product: 10,000 g
For 20 kg at 1%, use 200 g Ectoin.
It pairs particularly well in formulations containing hyaluronic acid, glycerin, panthenol, niacinamide, ceramides and other moisturizing/barrier-support ingredients.
Ectoin Crystalline Powder
