Ectoine
TYPE OF INGREDIENT
Osmoprotectant
COMMONLY FOUND IN
Cleansers, moisturizers, serums
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF ECTOINE?
Ectoine has excellent hygroscopic activity, which underlies its putative role in reducing transepidermal water loss. Ectoine can reduce dryness in atopic disease and prevent aging from cutaneous dehydration. Specifically, ectoine has been shown to disperse keratin, allowing for improved stratum corneum hydration in ambient conditions. Ectoine, compared to a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory cream, was found to be well tolerated and have similar efficacy in patients with atopic dermatitis. Ectoine, in combination with ultraviolet light filters, prevented polymorphic light eruption and has been used for radiation dermatitis. Furthermore, ectoine gel has been shown to reduce skin cancer severity in melanoma in rats, which may be related to its prevention of UVA-induced skin changes.
WHAT IS ECTOINE?
Ectoine (1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2-methyl-4-pyrimidinecarboxylic acid) is an amino acid derivative produced by bacteria to protect and stabilize the organism from environmental stress, even in extreme environments. It has been shown to prevent DNA breaks by ionizing radiation, which can result from ultraviolet A light. Additionally, it has been shown to demethylate DNA and reduce cell proliferation in skin cells, and it has separately been shown to have anti-melanogenesis activity, which explains its potential as a skin lightening agent.
IS ECTOINE SAFE FOR ALL SKIN TYPES AND TONES?
Ectoine is likely safe for all skin types and tones based on available data. Indeed, it has been shown to make products less irritating and cytotoxic. Also, it has been studied to be safe for use in children and infants with inflammatory skin disease.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
There is minimal data on contraindications for the topical application of ectoine. Although rare, patients with an allergy to ectoine, its components or its byproducts should avoid use of products containing ectoine.
Sources:
Abd Elazim NE, Awad SM, El-Naggar MS, Mohamed RH. Topical Ectoin Versus Topical Dexpanthenol for Managing Acute Radiodermatitis Associated With Breast Cancer Radiotherapy: A Randomized Double-Blind Study. Dermatitis. 2023;34(6):516-524.
Bayoumi SA, Dawaba AM, Mansour A, Zalat ZA, Ammar AA. Ectoine gel transdermal formulation as a novel therapeutic approach in melanoma using 3D printed microneedles. Pharm Dev Technol. 2022;27(10):1110-1124.
Bow JR, Sonoki Y, Uchiyama M, Dauskardt RH. Ectoine disperses keratin and alters hydration kinetics in stratum corneum. Biochem Biophys Rep. 2021;28:101134. Published 2021 Sep 17.
Bownik A, Stępniewska Z. Ectoine as a promising protective agent in humans and animals. Arh Hig Rada Toksikol. 2016;67(4):260-265.
Buenger J, Driller H. Ectoin: an effective natural substance to prevent UVA-induced premature photoaging. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2004;17(5):232-237.
Bujak T, Zagórska-Dziok M, Nizioł-Łukaszewska Z. Complexes of Ectoine with the Anionic Surfactants as Active Ingredients of Cleansing Cosmetics with Reduced Irritating Potential. Molecules. 2020;25(6):1433. Published 2020 Mar 21.
Czech L, Hermann L, Stöveken N, et al. Role of the Extremolytes Ectoine and Hydroxyectoine as Stress Protectants and Nutrients: Genetics, Phylogenomics, Biochemistry, and Structural Analysis. Genes (Basel). 2018;9(4):177. Published 2018 Mar 22.
Duteil L, Queille-Roussel C, Aladren S, et al. Prevention of Polymorphic Light Eruption Afforded by a Very High Broad-Spectrum Protection Sunscreen Containing Ectoin. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2022;12(7):1603-1613.
Graf R, Anzali S, Buenger J, Pfluecker F, Driller H. The multifunctional role of ectoine as a natural cell protectant. Clin Dermatol. 2008;26(4):326-333.
Hon KL, Kung JS, Ng WGG, Leung TF. Testing an Ectoin Containing Emollient for Atopic Dermatitis. Curr Pediatr Rev. 2019;15(3):191-195.
Hseu YC, Chen XZ, Vudhya Gowrisankar Y, Yen HR, Chuang JY, Yang HL. The Skin-Whitening Effects of Ectoine via the Suppression of α-MSH-Stimulated Melanogenesis and the Activation of Antioxidant Nrf2 Pathways in UVA-Irradiated Keratinocytes. Antioxidants (Basel). 2020;9(1):63. Published 2020 Jan 10.
Kauth M, Trusova OV. Topical Ectoine Application in Children and Adults to Treat Inflammatory Diseases Associated with an Impaired Skin Barrier: A Systematic Review. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2022;12(2):295-313.
Marini A, Reinelt K, Krutmann J, Bilstein A. Ectoine-containing cream in the treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis: a randomised, comparator-controlled, intra-individual double-blind, multi-center trial. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2014;27(2):57-65.
Qaria MA, Xu C, Hu R, et al. Ectoine Globally Hypomethylates DNA in Skin Cells and Suppresses Cancer Proliferation. Mar Drugs. 2023;21(12):621. Published 2023 Nov 29.
Schröter MA, Meyer S, Hahn MB, Solomun T, Sturm H, Kunte HJ. Ectoine protects DNA from damage by ionizing radiation. Sci Rep. 2017;7(1):15272. Published 2017 Nov 10.
Zhang X, Shu Z, Li Y, et al. Sheng Wu Gong Cheng Xue Bao. 2022;38(3):868-881.
