Humectant

A humectant /hjuːˈmɛktənt/ is a <a href="/facts/Hygroscopic/1NBGewXv">hygroscopic</a> (water-absorbing) <a href="/facts/Chemical_substance/EWcXU41d">substance</a> used to keep things moist. They are used in many products, including food, cosmetics, medicines and pesticides. When used as a <a href="/facts/Food_additive/jGk8zjn8">food additive</a>, a humectant has the effect of keeping moisture in the food. Humectants are sometimes used as a component of <a href="/facts/Antistatic/LLQ1lpDz">antistatic</a> coatings for <a href="/facts/Plastic/Kla5QItn">plastics</a>.
A humectant attracts and retains the moisture in the air nearby via absorption, drawing the water vapor into or beneath the organism's or object's surface. This is the opposite use of a hygroscopic material where it is used as a <a href="/facts/Desiccant/wD2YIcPc">desiccant</a> used to draw moisture away.
In pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, humectants can be used in <a href="/facts/Topical/alFfLndS">topical</a> <a href="/facts/Dosage_form/ahtNIMrF">dosage forms</a> to increase the solubility of a chemical compound's <a href="/facts/Active_ingredient/oeDx5S19">active ingredients</a>, increasing the active ingredients' ability to penetrate skin, or its activity time. This hydrating property can also be needed to counteract a dehydrating active ingredient (e.g., <a href="/facts/Soap/S3nJa1oY">soaps</a>, <a href="/facts/Corticoid/jeL2QeIL">corticoids</a>, and some <a href="/facts/Alcohol_(chemistry)/Y0SCTDkh">alcohols</a>), which is why humectants are common ingredients in a wide range of cosmetic and personal care products that make moisturization claims (e.g., <a href="/facts/Hair_conditioner/9EcbKKl2">hair conditioners</a>, <a href="/facts/Body_lotion/GXollPbk">body lotions</a>, face or body cleansers, <a href="/facts/Lip_balm/Dw5ytedU">lip balms</a>, and eye creams).

Humectant open-in-new

Humectant