Guest article by Madlin Stotz, founder of lobe beauty

How Ectoin & Glycoin protect your skin from environmental influences

Our skin is exposed to numerous stressors every day – UV radiation, environmental pollution, temperature fluctuations, and oxidative stress all put a strain on it and accelerate premature skin aging . Extremolytes are highly effective molecules originally discovered in extreme environmental conditions such as deserts, salt lakes, or glaciers. Their protective mechanisms can be used in skincare to strengthen the skin barrier, retain moisture, and prevent cell damage. This article is about:

1. What are extremolytes ?
2. Ectoin: the multi-protection active ingredient for your skin
3. Glycoin: Energy for your skin cells
4. Why you should include Extremolyte in your skincare routine
   

What are extremolytes?

Extremolytes are natural protective molecules that help organisms survive under extreme conditions. These molecules stabilize cell structures, retain moisture, and protect against harmful environmental influences. They strengthen the skin barrier and counteract oxidative stress. Two are particularly effective in skincare:

• Ectoin – The multi-protection active ingredient for hydration & regeneration
• Glycoin – The cell activator for radiant, resilient skin
  

Ectoin: the multi-protection active ingredient for your skin

Ectoin is a multi-talented product with comprehensive protective and regenerative properties. It forms a protective layer around skin cells, shielding them from harmful influences such as UV radiation, fine dust, and dryness. Ectoin also has anti-inflammatory properties, making it particularly ideal for sensitive and stressed skin. Studies show that Ectoin not only hydrates the skin but also reduces DNA damage and promotes regeneration.

Figure 1: Ectoin hydrocomplex formation. Source: Ectoin® natural Factsheet Bitop AG 2024.

Figure 2: Representation of the reduction of oxidative stress with ectoine. (1)

How does Ectoin work?

The ectoine molecule can form a protective shield around biomolecules such as proteins, cells, and enzymes by forming so-called hydrocomplexes. These ectoine hydrocomplexes provide protection and stability to cell membranes, which reduces oxidative stress in cells and lowers the production of harmful inflammatory substances. Furthermore, ectoine hydrocomplexes improve the flexibility of cell membranes, which increases cell activity and strengthens the skin's natural self-protection and repair mechanisms. Ectoine hydrocomplexes also contribute to increasing the skin's water content.

✔ Improves skin’s long-term moisture supply
✔ Reduces UV-induced DNA damage
✔ Skin elasticity is strengthened

👉 Ectoin is contained in the Skingineered UVA Booster as an effective slow-aging ingredient.

Glycoin – Energy for your skin cells

Glycoin (INCI: Glyceryl Glucoside) is a natural cell-protecting and revitalizing substance. It helps the skin retain moisture and stimulates cell activity. Mature skin in particular benefits from its stimulating effect, as it boosts cell metabolism and reduces signs of fatigue. Studies show that Glycoin promotes cell activity, which can lead to improved skin elasticity and a more radiant complexion.

✔ Stimulates cell metabolism
✔ Promotes skin elasticity and tone
✔ Reduces signs of fatigue & dull complexion

Figure 3: Lipid bilayer with and without glycoin. (2)

How does Glycoin work?

Glycoin is a so-called "osmolyte." It interacts with water to ensure proper transport and distribution throughout our bodies and cells. The suction force created by Glycoin into the interior of cell structures reduces the amount of water removed from between cell membranes when dehydration is imminent.

In addition, glycoin molecules that remain between the bilayers of the membranes have a volume-preserving effect when the cells dehydrate: the volume of glycoin helps to physically separate the bilayers at very low water levels, thus preventing their damage and disintegration.

Overall, small stress-protective molecules such as glycoin reduce stress in membranes when water content decreases.

👉 Glycoin is included inLobe Beauty Root Boy Serum for hydrated and resilient skin.

Why you should include Extremolyte in your skincare routine

🔬 Deep protection: Extremolytes protect skin cells from environmental stress and oxidative damage.
💧 Long-lasting moisture: They help to retain water in the skin and reduce dryness wrinkles.
🛡️ Strengthening the skin barrier: They support the skin's natural protective function.
✨ Happy aging effect: They promote regeneration and prevent premature skin aging.

Extremolytes are the future of skincare. They are suitable for virtually every skin type and a wide range of skin conditions.

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About the author

Madlin Stotz

Madlin holds an M.Sc. in industrial chemistry and is the founder of lobe beauty . Her acne journey as a teenager led her to develop cosmetics into her absolute passion. Given the increasingly extreme environmental conditions, Lobe specifically utilizes the unique properties of extremolytes to harness their protective and regenerative mechanisms in skincare.

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Sources:

(1) Ectoin® natural fact sheet Bitop AG 2024.
(2) Glycoi® natural fact sheet Bitop AG 2024.
(3) Heinrich U., Garbe B., Tronnier H. (2007) In vivo assessment of Ectoin: A randomized, vehicle-controlled clinical trial. SkinPharmacolPhysiol 20(4):211–8.
(4) Bünger J., Degwert J., Driller H. (2001) The protective function of compatible solute ectoine on the skin, skin cells and its biomolecules with respect to UV radiation, immunosuppression and membrane damage. IFSCC Magazines 4(2):1-6.
(5) Marini A., Reinelt K., Krutmann J., Bilstein A. (2014) Ectoine-containing cream in the treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis: a randomized, comparator-controlled, intra-individual double-blind, multi-center trial. SkinPharmacolPhysiol 27(2):57–65.
(6) Graf R., Anzali S., Buenger J., Pfluecker F., Driller H. (2008) The multifunctional role of ectoine as a natural cell protectant. ClinDermatol26(4):326–333.
(7) Mackay MA, Norton RS, Borowitzka LJ, Marine Blue-Green Algae Have a Unique Osmoregulatory System, J Clin Aesthat Dermatol. 5(8):29-39, 2012.
(8) Bianchi G, Gamba A, Limiroli R, Pozzi N, Elster R, Salamini F and Bartels D, The unusual sugar composition in leaves of the resurrection plant Myrothamnus flabellifolia, Physiologia Plantarum, Volume87, Issue 2, P 223-226, 1993.