Excellent Active Ingredient

Ectoin

INCI: ECTOIN

CAS Number
96702-03-3
Function
skin-conditioning, osmoprotectant
Safety Rating
EXCELLENT

Regulatory Status

🇪🇺 EU Status permitted
🇺🇸 US Status permitted
US Notes Permitted; no US concentration cap. Produced by fermentation from halophilic microorganisms (e.g., Halomonas elongata). Effective at 0.5–2% in leave-on formulations. Positioned as next-generation osmolyte in barrier-repair moisturizers.

For full compliance data across 55 jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.

Safety Data

Margin of Safety (MoS)
adequate
Dermal Absorption
low
Sensitization
none

Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.

Expert Verdict

Ectoin is an excellent extremolyte osmoprotectant for sensitive, atopic, and reactive skin. This compatible solute, produced by halophilic microorganisms, works via preferential exclusion to stabilize cell membranes and proteins against UV radiation, thermal stress, and osmotic insult. Effective at 0.5–2% in leave-on formulations; fermentation-derived and COSMOS-eligible. Not restricted in EU or US.

⚠️
Concern Level: None

Regulatory Flags

active extremolyte osmoprotectant membrane-stabilizer anti-inflammatory barrier-repair uv-protective thermal-stress-protection fermentation-derived natural-origin sensitive-skin atopic-dermatitis-target next-gen-moisturizer aquaporin-system 0.5-2pct-effective-dose

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ectoin safe in cosmetics?

Ectoin is an excellent extremolyte osmoprotectant for sensitive, atopic, and reactive skin. This compatible solute, produced by halophilic microorganisms, works via preferential exclusion to stabilize cell membranes and proteins against UV radiation, thermal stress, and osmotic insult. Effective at 0.5–2% in leave-on formulations; fermentation-derived and COSMOS-eligible. Not restricted in EU or US. The EU classifies Ectoin as "permitted". Safety rating: EXCELLENT.

Is Ectoin allowed in the EU?

Ectoin EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.

What does Ectoin do in cosmetics?

Ectoin functions as: skin-conditioning, osmoprotectant. It is classified as a Active Ingredient in our database. CAS number: 96702-03-3.

What is the Margin of Safety for Ectoin?

adequate The Margin of Safety (MoS) is calculated using SCCS methodology. A MoS above 100 is generally considered safe. Use the MoS Calculator tool to calculate MoS for your specific formulation and product category.

Compliance Tools

Check Ectoin compliance across multiple jurisdictions:

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Ingredient Decoder
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82 Allergen Checker
Check for EU declarable fragrance allergens
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Substance Compliance
Check compliance across 55 jurisdictions
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MoS Calculator
Calculate Margin of Safety using SCCS methodology
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Heavy Metal Limits
Compare limits across jurisdictions

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