How The Inkey List combines barrier science with hydration technology for latest skincare innovation

The Inkey List has unveiled a "breakthrough" in barrier skincare with its new Ectoin Hydro-Barrier Serum.

Formulated for long-term healthy skin, the new serum promises to instantly boost hydration up to 10 surface layers deep whilst simultaneously building a stronger skin barrier.

It combines barrier science with hydration technology to deliver visible skin transformation in as little as 15 minutes, leaving skin visibly bouncier and smoother in seven days.

Ectoin, the product's hero ingredient, helps to defend against dehydration and fully optimise skin health from the inside out.

Known for helping plants and organisms survive in extreme conditions like salt lakes, arctic ice and deserts, the ingredient is described as a naturally-derived extremolyte celebrated for its ability to defend against dehydration, reduce inflammation, and stabilise skin cells under environmental stress.

How does it work?

Utilising an advanced hydration mechanism, ectoin 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 minimise transepidermal water loss to ensure the skin stays hydrated for longer.

Also featuring multi-molecular hyaluronic acid and a 1% barrier blend, the serum helps to visibly improve five signs of a compromised skin barrier - dryness, flakiness, dullness, redness, and slackness - enabling it to retain hydration more effectively.

Colette Laxton and Mark Curry, founders of The Inkey List, said: "The skincare market is flooded with barrier serums, but we know that if you want the ultimate healthy skin, just focusing on barrier isn’t enough - you need barrier and hydration.

"Ectoin Hydro-Barrier Serum is a true Inkey skincare innovation, a dual-powered serum that combines leading barrier science with the very best of advanced hydration in one unique formula."

The new launch celebrates the brand's new hydration campaign, following the results of a recent consumer survey where 91% of people are said to have dehydrated skin. Through this, The Inkey List is raising awareness of the importance of hydration as the foundation of skin health.

Founded by Laxton and Curry in 2018, The Inkey List was created to help democratise skincare through knowledge, simplify the product INCI list, and offer high performance skincare at an affordable price.