Ectoine is a natural amino acid produced by certain types of bacteria. It is a natural moisturizer that’s been used in various skincare and beauty products to help improve skin hydration, reduce signs of aging, and protect skin from environmental stresses. Ectoine maintains the optimum water balance in skin, increasing its hydration while effectively preventing transepidermal water loss (or TEWL) for an extended period, and functioning as a superior moisturizer with long-term efficacy. Ectoine is also known to have anti-inflammatory properties.