Where to purchase: The Inkey List: LINK / Boots: LINK
Price: £15
Volume: 30ml
Made in: Canada
What is it What does it do?: A light cream-serum that deeply hydrates and strengthens the skin’s barrier function. It aims to help restore the skin’s moisture retention (i.e. makes it plumper) and addresses compromised skin barrier issues:
1. Dryness / 2. Flakiness 3. Dullness / 4. Redness / 5. Slackness.
Supposedly Good for: All skin types (especially sensitive skins with a weakened skin barrier).
What I think: I would agree this works for sensitive skins. Due to the texture of this, Normal-Dry skins may prefer this over oilier skins (particularly in the summer).
How does this compare with Hyaluronic Acid serums?: This Ectoin serum both hydrates and strengthens the skin’s barrier (addresses dryness and dullness, redness). Whereas a hyaluronic acid serum focuses mainly on fine lines and dehydration.
You can use both a hyaluronic acid serum and this ectoin serum. For example, a Hyaluronic acid can be used in the AM and this Ectoin serum in the PM.
Note: This serum contains both Ectoin and Hyaluronic Acid.
Youtube Video: Thank You Farmer Sunscreen Review
Vegan?: Yes
Cruelty-Free?: Yes
Fungal Acne suitable?: Yes
EU-allergen Free: Yes
How long does it last after opening?: 6 Months.
Packaging: Plastic tube with a cap and a pump mechanism. This isn’t messy to use and is easy to travel with. I also don’t need to pump loads and loads to get the appropriate amount of product out.
Directions: This can be used with any product, it is beneficial when used with actives i.e. AHAs + BHAs + Retinoids (helps protect the skin’s barrier and avoids dryness).
- Suitable to use even twice daily in the AM (use an SPF) and PM routine as your first serum.
- Use after cleansing and follow with a treatment and/or moisturiser.
- Tip: You can apply this onto damp skin to enhance its hydrating effects.
How I use it: I use this in the PM as I cannot use this in conjunction with an SPF (would be too heavy for my oily-combination skin). As I have oily-combination skin, even in the winter, I also cannot use this underneath a moisturiser in the PM (would be too thick), so I use this as a moisturiser (this is emollient).
Why Ectoin? + What does it do?:
Ectoin is a multi-functional skincare ingredient that has been highly researched. It protects microorganisms in extreme environments (i.e. even in arctic temperatures).
The benefits are:
- Antioxidative – Skin Protection from Environmental Stressors (0.5% also helps against UV stress (LINK)
- Hydration + Skin Barrier Repair – Supports the skin’s natural barrier + deeply hydrates (LINK)
- Well-ageing Effects – Reduces wrinkles + improves skin elasticity: In a 4-week study, 0.5% Ectoin reduced wrinkle depth allegedly by 19% (LINK)
- Soothing + Redness Relief – Calms irritated skin + Helps sensitive skin tolerate Retinol usage (LINK)
- Helps reduce skin pigmentation caused by environmental stress (LINK)
Overall, Ectoin: 1. Hydrates 2. Soothes 3. Protects 4. Repairs
Key Ingredient: This serum contains 1% Ectoin
Other Key Ingredients:
- 2.5% Multi-molecular Hyaluronic acid – contains 4 types of hyaluronic acid to hydrate multiple layers of the skin: Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate crosspolymer, Hydrolysed sodium hyaluronate, Hyaluronic acid.
- 1% Ceramides – to help strengthen and defend the skin’s barrier: Cholesterol, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP Ceramide NP.
- Phytosphingosine – Anti-blemish
- Oat Kernel Extract – Antioxidant + Soothing + Emollient
- Panthenol + Jojoba Esters – Soothing + Moisturising
Other emollients (softens the skin): Sunflower Seed Wax and Coconut Alkanes.
Full Ingredients: Aqua (Water / Eau), 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 (Sunflower) Seed Wax, Citric Acid, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Avena Sativa (Oat) 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.
NOTE: The Incidecoder have a full ingredient breakdown HERE
Texture: The brand states that this has ”A milky, lightweight texture that effortlessly sinks into the skin, leaving an immediate veil of hydration.” – I would agree it provides moisture > hydration (i.e. not a similar sensation to a water-gel cream). This is lightweight and does sink into the skin well and absorbs rather quickly. It makes the skin feel soft (velvety finish). However, if I get hot, I can feel this sitting on top of the skin, even if it is lightweight (Oily-Combination Skin).
Sticky?: No
Greasy?: No
Balls up?: No
- As you can see, this has a translucent, milky look to it initially. It doesn’t look entirely like a cream.
Hopefully you can see the lightweight creamy texture of this
Swatch Comparison: (Left) VS (Right):
Does this Sting if the Skin has been Irritated / Sensitised by Shaving/Heavy Retinol Use?: No.
Summer or Winter?: Dry Skins: Both seasons / Oily Skins: Winter (not comfortable in hot weather i.e. when sweating).
Layerable?: Yes.
Video Swatch:
- As you can see, this is not sticky or tacky. It absorbs relatively quickly and makes the skin feel soft. Initially it seems quite hydrating however, it doesn’t feel very watery (it feels more moisturising).
Fragrance?: Fragrance + EO Free. However, it does smell a little ”chemical-y” when applying.
Good Under Makeup?: Yes (apply once the serum has absorbed fully).
How long have I been using this?: 2-3 Months
Will I use until Completion?: Yes. I will continue to use it in the evenings as a moisturiser as that is the most comfortable for me and my skin-type (how I prevent it from feeling heavy in my routine).
How Long will that take?: I can’t see how much product is in here, so I can’t really tell how long it will last. However, as it expires 6 months after opening, I should be done with it before then.
The Effect?: Initially: The skin feels soft. Overall, it has improved the moisture of my skin. I even have been using this as a hand cream because it is fast-absorbing/dries down quickly and isn’t sticky on my hands, and it makes the skin feel soft.
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What I like:
- Fragrance + EO Free
- Cruelty-Free
- Moisturising
- Makes the skin feel soft
- Not greasy
- Lightweight
- Easy to use and travel with, sturdy packaging
- Fast-absorbing
What I don’t like:
- Not comfortable to wear under a moisturiser (would be too much for my oily-combination skin)
- Not comfortable in hot weather (for my oily-combination skin)
- Not as hydrating as I expected
- Although this is fragrance-free, it smells a little ”chemical-y”
Overall Rating and Conclusion: 3.9 (Nearly 4) / 5 – Discovering the benefits of Ectoin has been an interesting journey! I also appreciate this serum includes other beneficial ingredients like oat extract, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides to help rebuild and soften the skin’s barrier.
That said, I didn’t find this serum particularly hydrating on its own. Layering it under a moisturiser feels like overkill—even in the winter! Instead, I’ve enjoyed using it more like a cream, as its emollient texture works well that way.
For oilier skin types, this formula might feel a bit too heavy, but it’s clearly designed with drier skin in mind, targeting the common struggles of dryness, irritation, and flakiness. If you’ve been battling dry skin issues, this serum would be good, especially underneath a moisturiser.
Would I repurchase?: Ultimately, no. I prefer more watery-gel creams. However, if I was given another, I would use it up (i.e. I don’t think it’s a bad product).
Dupe?: A moisturiser that also contains 1% Ectoin is the Geek and Gorgeous – Hydration Station (Swatches + Review HERE). It is also Vegan + Cruelty-Free. I would recommend it moreso to Combination-Normal + Dry Skins.
Available at: Geek & Gorgeous: LINK
- For my Combination and Oily-Combination friends, I would recommend the Rovectin – Hyaluronic Soothing Cream (Swatches + Review HERE) which also contains Ectoin. It is also Vegan + Cruelty-Free, Fragrance + EO Free.
Available at: Rovectin: LINK / Yesstyle: LINK / Skinsider: LINK / Superdrug: LINK
- For Oilier skins who still want to try out Ectoin , I would recommend the The Wellage Ectoin 3% Serum (A higher amount than The Inkey List’s Serum) is moreso watery and hydrating over creamy and emollient. It is Vegan, Fragrance + EO Free.
Available at: Yesstyle: LINK
- The Purito SEOUL – Wonder Releaf Centella Cream Unscented, is a Fragrance + EO-free cream that also contains Ectoin! It is slightly more emollient (i.e. it is thicker) and suits more Normal-Dry skin types (Also works as a good hand cream for me).
Available at: Yesstyle: LINK
Other Ectoin-containing Products:
- The Biossance Squalane + Ectoin Overnight Rescue is Fragrance + EO Free, Vegan + Cruelty-Free. It also contains Squalane + Argireline (Well-ageing). It is very thick and emollient.
Available at: Biossance: LINK / Sephora: LINK
- The Allies of Skin Copper Tripeptide & 2% Ectoin Advanced Repair Serum is Fragrance + EO Free, Vegan + Cruelty-Free. It contains Copper Tripeptide-1 and Argireline (both well-ageing).
Available at: Allies of Skin EU: LINK / Allies of Skin US: LINK
My Skin Type: I am acne prone and have slightly dehydrated combo skin. My skin is usually tight where the cheeks and eye area is and the outer parts of my face. My T zone is oily. My skin isn’t a fan of thick/heavy formulas so I opt for lightweight formulas to prevent it from clogging up. My skin doesn’t like essential oils either and I try to avoid fragrance when I can.
Disclaimer: I am a skincare enthusiast and not a skin expert. I am not qualified to give out dermatological advice. This type of advice should only be given by a medical practitioner. Upon trying / using any of the reviewed products on the blog, please follow the manufacturer’s instructions and warnings and please seek medical advice if needed.
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My Skincare Regime 