A hydroxylated derivative of ectoine, used as a skin-conditioning and buffering ingredient.
What it is
Hydroxyectoin is a hydroxylated derivative of ectoine, a small cyclic amino acid derivative that salt-tolerant bacteria produce to protect themselves against osmotic stress. CosIng lists it as a buffering, emollient and skin-conditioning ingredient.
Where it is used
Found in a small number of skin care products.
Limits of interpretation
The INCI list shows which ingredients are present, not how much of each. Above 1%, ingredients are listed in descending order of weight; below 1% the order is free.
The INCI name does not reveal how the material was produced.
Functions
- Buffering
- Stabilising the pH of an aqueous medium in a narrow range even if an acid or base is added. Altering and/or maintaining a cosmetic product's pH at the desired level.
- Skin conditioning – emollient
- Acting as lubricants on the skin surface providing the skin with a soft and smooth appearance.
- Skin conditioning
- Maintaining the skin in good condition.
EU regulation
This ingredient is not listed in the annexes of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 in the CosIng data.