INCI Name: Ectoin

CAS: 96702-03-3

Molecular Formula: C₆H₁₀N₂O₂

HydraFix-Pro protects skin from damages induced by heat, UV, irratants and dehydration, and improves overall skin condition through long-term moisturization.

Product Information:

HydraFix-Pro (Ectoin) is a cyclic amino acid derivative which is originally produced by halophilic bacteria living in extreme environments, as a survival strategy against highly-saline conditions. HydraFix-Pro stabilizes biomolecules such as proteins and lipids by forming complexes with water around biomolecules, and thus protects cells from inflammation caused by environmental stress factors like dehydration, UV radiation and pollutants etc. HydraFix-Pro also reduces UV-induced release of secondary messengers that activate an intracellular signaling cascade leading to inflammation.

Efficacy:

Human skin fibroblast cells were irradiated by UV (365 nm, 22 J cm⁻²) and were treated with HydraFix-Pro (8 μg mL⁻¹ and 16 μg mL⁻¹). HydraFix-Pro protected cells against UV-induced damages and improved cell viability by stabilizing cellular membrane, reducing inflammation, and alleviating DNA damage.

Reference: W. Cheng et al., Appl. Sci., 2022, 12, 8531

Five volunteers were treated with a cosmetic formulation containing 0, 0.5% and 1% HydraFix-Pro twice per day for 12 days. The skin hydration was determined by corneometry from Day 8 until Day 12 and finally measured at Day 19. HydraFix-Pro protected skin against dehydration and maintained skin moisture over a long period of time.

Reference: R. Graf et al., Clin. Dermatol., 2008, 26, 326–333

Volunteers applied 1% HydraFix-Pro serum around the eye area twice a day for 4 weeks and analyzed the skin surface status using VisioScan. Skin surface imaging results showed that HydraFix-Pro could minimize fine lines around the eyes.

Safety:

HydraFix-Pro showed no toxicological potential in the tested concentrations applicable for cosmetic uses. HydraFix-Pro has been used in cosmetic and healthcare products for years, and no adverse effects have been reported in consumer feedbacks and clinical trials.

Formulation Guidelines:

– Recommended level of use: 0.5–2 wt%

– HydraFix-Pro is highly soluble in water and is compatible with most of cosmetic active ingredients. 

– HydraFix-Pro can be added directly to aqueous phase prior to emulsification