Ceramides (ceramide eop 0.10% - 0.20%, phytosphingosine 0.25% - 0.45%, ceramide ap 0.25% - 0.45% and ceramide np 0.30% - 0.60%). Ceramides are an important part of our natural skin barrier. The Ceramides used in skincare are synthetic or come from plants. They help soften the skin and can help "fill the gaps" in the skin barrier, keeping the skin hydrated and resilient for longer.
An effective concentration of Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) - about 0.75% - 1.10%. Panthenol helps strengthen the skin barrier, improve hydration and reduce inflammation in skin.
Humectants (polyglycerin-3 0.15% - 0.25%, hyaluronic acid 0.25% - 0.50%, sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer 0.30% - 0.55%, glycerin 0.40% - 0.60%, panthenol 0.75% - 1.10% and sodium hyaluronate 1.70% - 2.00%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.

What can the product work for?

Works for

Moisturizing

Does not work for

Anti-aging

Moisturizing

What does the product description say?

Ectoin hydro-barrier serum

Source: From product name

This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.

The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water. When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job: glycerin, hyaluronic acid.

This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: caprylic/capric triglyceride, cholesterol.

The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: ceramide ap, ceramide eop, ceramide np, panthenol, phytosphingosine

phytosphingosine 0.25% - 0.45%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

A type of lipid that is naturally present in skin. It might help in repairing skin barrier function and has anti-bacterial effect

ceramide ap 0.25% - 0.45%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

A type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin

sodium hyaluronate 1.7% - 2%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin

Anti-aging

What does the product description say?

Clinically proven to hydrate + strengthen the barrier in 15 minutes* Visibly restores bounce in 3 days * Visibly improves 5 signs of a compromised skin barrier** Clinical study of 31 people* 4-week clinical study of 26 people**

Source: Inkey List UK

This product does not contain ingredients that are able to reduce fine lines and wrinkles or help with skin elasticity, but it can improve the look of the skin temporarily through moisturization. Well-moisturized skin might also be able to repair the sun damage better.This ingredient - hyaluronic acid - could be helpful for preventing or repairing signs of aging in theory, but there is no evidence that it actually works.

hyaluronic acid 0.25% - 0.5%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: LOW

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. Naturally present in skin. Typically has large molecule size unless advertised otherwise on the product label. Helps support skin's barrier function and may help to reduce inflammation

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Ingredients & concentrations

All ingredients

Key Actives

panthenol 0.75% - 1.1%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Reduces redness, Moisturizing, Reduces irritation

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function

ceramide np 0.3% - 0.6%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Moisturizing, Reduces irritation, Anti-inflammatory

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Potential irritants

caprylic/capric triglyceride 4.2% - 5.1%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Moisturizing

A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin

coconut alkanes 3.1% - 3.8%

Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: Medium

Works for: Moisturizing

An emollient that helps soften the skin

Comodogenic ingredients

coconut alkanes 3.1% - 3.8%

Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: Medium

Works for: Moisturizing

An emollient that helps soften the skin

cetearyl alcohol 0.75% - 1.1%

Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: Medium

Works for: Cleansing, Moisturizing

A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture

All ingredients

water 45% - 55%

Irritation risk:

Plain old water

propanediol 4.9% - 6%

Irritation risk:

Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin

caprylic/capric triglyceride 4.2% - 5.1%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Moisturizing

A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin

Ingredient list view

Water, Propanediol, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Coconut alkanes, Ectoin, Hydrolyzed sodium hyaluronate, Sodium hyaluronate, Maltodextrin, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium stearoyl glutamate, Panthenol, Cetearyl alcohol, Sclerotium gum, Xanthan gum, Glyceryl stearate, Jojoba esters, Coco-caprylate/caprate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium citrate, Helianthus annuus seed wax, Citric acid, Polyglyceryl-10 stearate, Avena sativa kernel extract, Glycerin, Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate, Triethyl citrate, Pentylene glycol, Polyglyceryl-6 behenate, Sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer, Ceramide np, Hyaluronic acid, Ceramide ap, Cholesterol, Phytosphingosine, Behenic acid, Sodium levulinate, Polyglycerin-3, Potassium sorbate, Sodium cetearyl sulfate, Ceramide eop

	The INKEY List UK - Ectoin hydro-barrier serum	celimax - Dual Barrier Boosting Serum Sponsored	Éciat - Keep Calm Soothing serum	Skin first - Hyaluronic acid + ceramide booster	Paula's choice - Hyaluronic Acid Booster	CeraVe - Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing Serum	Balance Active Formula - 2% HYALURONIC ACID + 3% CERAMIDE COMPLEX BOOSTER	Swisse Beauty - Hyaluronic 2% Vitamin B5 Glow Booster Serum	Simply Pure - Superdrug Simply Pure Hydrating Serum	Hanskin - Seven Layer Ceramide Serum	celimax - Dual Barrier Boosting Serum	Alpha-H - Vitamin E Serum with Macadamia
Price
WIMJ similarity score		55%	63%	60%	59%	58%	58%	56%	56%	55%	55%	55%
Key ingredients	panthenol phytosphingosine +14 more	Common: phytosphingosine ceramide eop +6 more Other: ceramide as ceramide ns +2 more	Common: panthenol phytosphingosine +8 more Other: niacinamide hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid +4 more	Common: ceramide np panthenol +8 more Other: urea sodium pca +3 more	Common: ceramide np panthenol +7 more Other: adenosine yeast extract	Common: ceramide eop ceramide np +6 more Other: dimethicone isopropyl myristate	Common: ceramide ap ceramide eop +6 more Other:	Common: ceramide eop panthenol +7 more Other:	Common: ceramide ap ceramide eop +6 more Other: lactic acid urea +4 more	Common: ceramide ap panthenol +8 more Other: anhydroxylitol ceramide as +17 more	Common: phytosphingosine ceramide eop +6 more Other: ceramide as ceramide ns +2 more	Common: ceramide np phytosphingosine +5 more Other: oenothera biennis oil squalane +1 more
Irritancy	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY LOW
Potential Irritants	sodium cetearyl sulfate Has skin benefit? potassium sorbate Has skin benefit? +15 more	sorbitan sesquioleate Has skin benefit? ethylhexylglycerin Has skin benefit? +4 more	chamomilla recutita flower extract Has skin benefit? hydroxyacetophenone Has skin benefit? +9 more	citric acid Has skin benefit? sodium dehydroacetate Has skin benefit? +4 more	ethylhexylglycerin Has skin benefit? citric acid Has skin benefit? +1 more	ethylhexylglycerin Has skin benefit? trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate Has skin benefit? +5 more	propylene glycol Has skin benefit? pentylene glycol Has skin benefit? +4 more	parfum Has skin benefit? caprylyl glycol Has skin benefit? +8 more	propylene glycol Has skin benefit? disodium edta Has skin benefit? +8 more	citrus unshiu peel extract Has skin benefit? anthemis nobilis flower oil Has skin benefit? +11 more	sorbitan sesquioleate Has skin benefit? ethylhexylglycerin Has skin benefit? +4 more	citric acid Has skin benefit? sodium lauroyl lactylate Has skin benefit? +4 more
All ingredients	water Has skin benefit? propanediol Has skin benefit? +38 more	water Has skin benefit? butylene glycol Has skin benefit? +27 more	water Has skin benefit? propanediol Has skin benefit? +30 more	water Has skin benefit? sodium hyaluronate Has skin benefit? +27 more	water Has skin benefit? glycerin Has skin benefit? +20 more	water Has skin benefit? glycerin Has skin benefit? +23 more	water Has skin benefit? propylene glycol Has skin benefit? +17 more	water Has skin benefit? propanediol Has skin benefit? +27 more	water Has skin benefit? caprylic/capric triglyceride Has skin benefit? +29 more	water Has skin benefit? methylpropanediol Has skin benefit? +56 more	water Has skin benefit? butylene glycol Has skin benefit? +27 more	water Has skin benefit? glycerin Has skin benefit? +23 more

PRODUCT REVIEW

The INKEY List UK Ectoin hydro-barrier serum

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Product summary

Ingredient callouts

What can the product work for?

Works for

Does not work for

Moisturizing

What does the product description say?

Anti-aging

What does the product description say?

Honesty check

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Potential irritants

Comodogenic ingredients

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