Meet Ectoin Hydro-barrier Serum
You know barrier. You know hydration. But what you don’t yet know is the power these two have when they unite in one supercharged, skin-transforming skincare product. All that is about to change. Read on to get the lowdown on the hottest launch of 2025...
NOT JUST ANOTHER BARRIER SERUM
What is Ectoin Hydro-Barrier Serum?
A breakthrough in barrier skincare, Ectoin Hydro-Barrier Serum is a dual-action serum that instantly boosts hydration up to 10 surface layers deep whilst simultaneously building a stronger skin barrier, fast.
Known for its exceptional ability to unlock the ultimate in skin hydration whilst protecting and repairing the skin’s barrier, Ectoin is a natural ingredient that helps to defend against dehydration and fully optimize skin health from the inside out. Working within the skin’s surface layers to deliver the dual power of barrier + hydration, the advanced formula is clinically proven to deeply hydrate and strengthen the barrier in just 15 minutes, leaving skin visibly bouncier and smoother in just 7 days.
What is Ectoin?
Hero ingredient Ectoin is a natural amino acid derivative known as an Extremolyte. Extremolytes are stress-protection molecules that work to fight off dehydration and help organisms, like plants, to survive in extreme environmental conditions such as salt lakes, hot springs, arctic ice, and deserts.
Known as an extreme protector, Ectoin works in multiple ways, acting as a natural hydrator, an aging and inflammatory fighter and skin cell stabilizer. Utilising an advanced hydration mechanism, this powerful ingredient helps to bind water from its surroundings, creating a protective shell around the skin cells. This shell helps to strengthen the skin’s barrier, reduce susceptibility to oxidative stress and inflammation and minimize transepidermal water loss to ensure the skin stays optimally hydrated for longer.
Why do I need Ectoin Hydro-Barrier Serum?
With increased exposure to environmental stressors like pollution, weather, and even overuse of active ingredients in our skincare routines, our skin’s barrier can become compromised, leading to an increased risk of skin concerns, irritation, and sensitivity. However, just focusing on supporting your skin’s barrier is not enough – your skin needs hydration too.
Put simply, without hydration your skin can’t function at its best so, that’s why it’s this combined power of barrier + hydration coming together in perfect unison and working layer by layer that leads to next-level skin benefits and stronger, more visible results.
What else do I need to know?
It’s not just Ectoin in this serum. Formulated for long-term healthy skin, the addition of multi-molecular Hyaluronic Acid and a 1% barrier blend helps to restore the protective skin barrier from the outside in, enabling it to retain hydration more effectively.
With continued daily use, Ectoin Hydro-Barrier Serum also helps to visibly improve 5 signs of a compromised skin barrier: dryness, flakiness, dullness, redness, and slackness.
How to use Ectoin Hydro-Barrier Serum
For best results, use twice daily in your AM and PM routine. Always use as your first serum after cleansing. Apply a pea-sized amount to face and neck and follow with preferred treatments and moisturizer to seal the benefits into skin. Our top INKEY tip? Apply to damp skin to help lock in all the hydration.
The milky, lightweight serum effortlessly sinks into the skin and it’s fast-absorbing, non-tacky texture layers perfectly under other skincare and makeup.
FAQs
When do I use Ectoin Hydro-Barrier Serum in my routine?This is your hydrate step, so the second step in your routine. Once you have cleansed, apply Ectoin Hydro-Barrier Serum and follow with your preferred treatments and moisturizers. For a barrier-boosting combo, we recommend Bio-Active Ceramide Moisturizer. Always finish with SPF in the AM routine.
Do I use this with Hyaluronic Acid Serum, or instead of?
Ectoin Hydro-Barrier Serum is perfect for those looking to hydrate and focus on barrier strengthening. As this serum is clinically proven to deeply hydrate up to 10 surface layers deep, you do not need to use Hyaluronic Acid Serum as well.
If you want to use both in your routine, you could use Hyaluronic Acid Serum in the morning and Ectoin Hydro-Barrier Serum in your PM routine. However, if you want to use both at the same time, there is no harm - you can never have too much hydration!
Are there any products I cannot use this with?
No, Ectoin Hydro-Barrier Serum pairs perfectly with any INKEY product or other ingredients you may be using. In fact, replenishing the skin’s hydration levels and protecting the skin’s barrier is critical if using any active ingredients in your routine. Making this a fundamental step for anyone using products that include things like Retinoids or AHA’s and BHA’s.
Is Ectoin Hydro-Barrier Serum suitable for sensitive skin?
Yes, it is clinically proven to be suitable for sensitive skin.
