Ectoin

The Basics On Ectoin

What is Ectoin?

Ectoin is a synthetic ingredient that serves as an emollient on skin and can also have a buffering effect in cosmetic formulas.

What are other names for Ectoin?

(4S)- 4-PYRIMIDINECARBOXYLIC ACID, 1,4,5,6-TETRAHYDRO-2-METHYL-, 1,4,5,6-TETRAHYDRO-2-METHYL- (4S)- 4-PYRIMIDINECARBOXYLIC ACID, 4-PYRIMIDINECARBOXYLIC ACID, 1,4,5,6-TETRAHYDRO-2-METHYL-, (4S)-, ECTOIN, and ECTOINE

What is Ectoin used for?

Ectoin is a synthetic ingredient that serves as an emollient on skin and can also have a buffering effect in cosmetic formulas. Chemically, ectoin is considered an osmolyte. What that means for skin is that as an osmolyte, ectoin helps maintain balanced hydration by maintaining the correct water balance in skin.

How Ectoin is classified

Emollients

Recommendations for using Ectoin during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Limited data suggests no known risk

 

Ectoin During Pregnancy

What we know about using Ectoin while pregnant or breastfeeding

Limited information available.

In a teratogenicity study, Methylisothiazolinone was administered by daily single oral doses to pregnant rats at doses of 5, 20, or 60 (reduced to 40) mg/kg body weight/d on gestation days 6 – 19. Females in the high dose group had clinical signs of rales, gasping, and labored breathing and at necropsy had red areas in the glandular portion of the stomach and lungs. No treatment-related effects were observed in the fetuses. The maternal and developmental NOAELs were 20 mg/kg/d and 40 mg/kg/d, respectively. In a teratogenicity study of Methylisothiazolinone in rabbits, pregnant females received daily single oral doses of 3, 10, or 30 mg/kg/d Methylisothiazolinone on gestation days 6 – 28. Maternal effects in the 30 mg/kg/d group included decreased defecation and dark red areas in the stomach. The maternal NOAEL was 10 mg/kg/d. No treatmentrelated effects were observed in the fetuses and the developmental NOAEL was determined to be 30 mg/kg/d. A 2-generation reproduction toxicity test found that Methylisothiazolinone in drinking water at concentrations up to 1000 ppm was not a reproductive toxicant.3 In the 90-d oral toxicity study described above, no adverse effects were observed on the male rat reproductive system after Wistar rats received up to 30.09 mg/kg bw Methylisothiazolinone in water.5 The teratogenic potential of 49.8% Methylisothiazolinone was studied in Wistar rats in accordance with OECD TG 414.5 Groups of 25 pregnant rats received 33.4, 49.8, or 74.7 mg/kg of the test material in water via gavage once daily on days 6 through 15 of gestation. Slight maternal toxic effects, including depressed body weight gains and feed consumption, were observed at 49.8 mg/kg and 74.7 mg/kg. A significant increase in the number of visceral anomalies were observed at 74.7 mg/kg, which were likely due to maternal toxicity. No teratogenic effects on fetuses attributed to the test material could be verified. The NOAEL and LOAEL for maternal toxicity were 33.4 mg/kg bw/d and 49.8 mg/kg bw/d, respectively; the NOAEL and LOAEL for embryotoxicity were 49.8 mg/kg bw/d and 74.7 mg/kg bw/d, respectively.

General safety info about Ectoin from CIR

The Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety reassessed the safety of Methylisothiazolinone, which functions as a preservative in cosmetics. The Panel reviewed relevant animal and human data provided in this safety assessment, and data from the previously published safety assessments of Methylisothiazolinone, and concluded that Methylisothiazolinone is safe for use in rinse-off cosmetic products at concentrations up to 100 ppm (i.e. 0.01%) and safe in leave-on cosmetic products when they are formulated to be non-sensitizing, which may be determined based on a quantitative risk assessment (QRA) or similar methodology.

Use this, not that!

Products where you might find Ectoin

Murad Essential-C Day Moisture Broad Spectrum SPF 30 PA+++; Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Facial Barrier Mask