Aquaporin-targeting ingredients are intended to support the skin's natural water channel proteins (aquaporins), promoting transepidermal water transport and improving hydration in the upper skin layers. At 1% concentration it is typically marketed as a hydrating active in moisturizers and serums.
| Reported effect | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Mild transient stinging or tingling on application | Rare | Usually related to formulation rather than the ingredient itself; resolves quickly. |
Contact irritation or redness | Rare | Possible in sensitive or compromised skin; patch testing advised. |
Allergic contact dermatitis | Very rare | Hypersensitivity reactions are uncommon and not well documented in literature. |
Frequencies reflect typical cosmetic use reported in the literature, not a guarantee for your skin.
Peer-reviewed papers on this ingredient, via PubMed.