Humectant

A humectant /hjuːˈmɛktənt/ is a hygroscopic (water-absorbing) substance used to keep things moist. They are used in many products, including food, cosmetics, medicines and pesticides. When used as a food additive, a humectant has the effect of keeping moisture in the food.[1] Humectants are sometimes used as a component of antistatic coatings for plastics.

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.[2][3] This is the opposite use of a hygroscopic material where it is used as a desiccant used to draw moisture away.

In pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, humectants can be used in topical dosage forms to increase the solubility of a chemical compound's active ingredients, 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., soaps, corticoids, and some alcohols), which is why humectants are common ingredients in a wide range of cosmetic and personal care products that make moisturization claims (e.g., hair conditioners, body lotions, face or body cleansers, lip balms, and eye creams).

  1. ^ Ronzio, Robert A. (2003-01-01). The Encyclopedia of Nutrition and Good Health. Infobase Publishing. p. 343. ISBN 9780816066308.
  2. ^ "humectant". Retrieved 17 November 2016 – via The Free Dictionary.
  3. ^ "What is an Humectant? (with pictures)". Retrieved 17 November 2016.