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Home > Cosmetic Ingredient > Humectant (Find 282 items)

Cosmetic Ingredient

Humectant

Find the perfect humectant materials here for your cosmetics, check CAS NO., property details, and SDS on ECHEMI for your desired humectant. Source raw chemical materials from certified suppliers and start shopping and check comprehensive product information now!

L-Glutamic acid

(56-86-0)
Biologically significant amino acid, plant growth regulator, fungicide.It is used in biochemical research and medicine for hepatic coma, preventing epilepsy, reducing ketonuria and ketemia.Used in pharmaceuticals, food additives, nutrition enhancers.Salt substitutes, nutritional supplements, umami flavors

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Aluminum hydroxide

(21645-51-2)
Mainly used as an Active medicament in an Antacid Formulations, also used in manufacturing of Lake Colors, Inks, glass, effluent treatment, and fire retardants.
1. Chemical raw materials
Aluminum hydroxide has many advantages including large-scale production, adequate raw materials, high product purity and good solubility in acid. Therefore, aluminum hydroxide can be used as an important raw material for the preparation of aluminum salts, such as barium aluminate, aluminum sulfate and so

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Betaine

(107-43-7)
Betaine anhydrous is a new type of fine chemical that can be widely used in food, medicine, daily chemical, printing and dyeing, chemical and other fields. Betaine anhydrous is an efficient and high-quality nutritional additive. Pharmaceutical-grade betaine can be used in medicine, cosmetics, food, fruit juice industries, and dental materials. In addition, betaine can also be used in the fermentation industry. Betaine anhydrous has the effects of improving eyesight, anti-fatty liver, protecting

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Ribose

(50-69-1)
1. It is produced by microorganism fermentation of glucose in a fermentation culture medium without adding calcium carbonate.
2. D-Ribose is produced by microorganism fermentation of glucose in a fermentation culture medium without adding calcium carbonate.

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Sorbitol

(50-70-4)
Sweetening agent and humectant It is used as food moisture regulator, flavor preservative, antioxidant, cosmetic raw material, cigarette, toothpaste moisturizer, vitamin C, adhesive raw material and diuretic and choleretic. It is used for the preparation of injections, large infusions and oral granules, and food grade for chewing gum and sugar-free candies. Used as biochemical reagents, thickeners and hardeners, and also used in resin and plastic synthesis

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Sucrose

(57-50-1)
Sweetening agent and food.Starting material in the fermentative production of ethanol, butanol, glycerol, citric and levulinic acids.Used in pharmaceuticals as a flavor, as a preservative, as an antioxidant (in the form of invert sugar), as a demulcent, as substitute for glycerol, as granulation agent and excipient for tablets, as coating for tablets.In the plastics and cellulose industry, in rigid polyurethane foams, manufacture of ink and of transparent soaps.

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myo-Inositol

(87-89-8)
1. The structural basis for a number of signaling and secondary messenger molecules including; insulin signal transduction, cytoskeleton assembly, nerve guidance, membrane potentials, serotonin activity and the breaking down of fats and reducing cholesterol.
2. Lipotropic agent
3. A growth-factor and structural element of secondary messengers in eukaryotic cells

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L-Histidine

(71-00-1)
L-Histidine is an essential amino acid for human development which the body cannot produce on its own. L-Histidine is one of the 22 proteinogenic amino acids. L-Histidine precursor to histamine (H436500) and a component of carnosine.

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Hyaluronic acid

(9004-61-9)
Used as a moisturizer in creams, creams, milks, masks and essences.Used as high-end cosmetic additives, also used in medicine.Necessary drugs for ophthalmology "viscous surgery". Applied to cataract surgery, the sodium salt is easy to be stored in the anterior chamber to maintain a certain depth of the anterior chamber, maintain a clear surgical field of vision, reduce inflammation and complications after surgery, and improve the effect of surgical correction of vision. It is also used for compl

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Choline chloride

(67-48-1)
Choline chloride can be used as a nutritional additive. Choline chloride is a plant photosynthesis promoter, which has obvious effect on increasing yield. It can be used to increase yield of corn, sugar cane, sweet potato, potato, radish, onion, cotton, tobacco, vegetables, grapes, mango, etc. Used to treat fatty liver and cirrhosis. It is also used as a feed additive for poultry and livestock, which can stimulate ovarian egg production, littering and weight gain of poultry, fish, etc. Choline c

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Humectant refers to an ingredient that attracts and retains moisture, helping to maintain the water content of cosmetic products. According to their origin, humectants are categorized as natural, such as glycerin and honey, or synthetic, like propylene glycol. According to their molecular size, humectants can be classified as small-molecule humectants, such as hyaluronic acid, or polymeric humectants, like polyethylene glycol. According to their compatibility, humectants can be water-soluble, like sorbitol, or oil-soluble, such as butylene glycol. " Humectant" on ECHEMl primarily provides raw materials for the humectant.

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A humectant is a crucial ingredient used in various topical dosage forms, particularly in enhancing the solubility of active ingredients in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. Its primary purpose is to increase the effectiveness of chemical compounds, allowing them to better penetrate the skin and extend their activity time.

Humectants operate by drawing moisture from the environment, creating a hydrating effect that is especially beneficial in countering the dehydrating impact of certain active ingredients like soaps, corticoids, and certain alcohols.

Common humectants

•Oil: Glycerin is a natural humectant that attracts large amounts of water.

•Hyaluronic Acid: Hyaluronic acid is a natural polysaccharide.

•Allantoin: Allantoin has a moisturizing and cuticle softening effect.

•Natural Oils: Vegetable oils, such as olive oil and sweet almond oil, are rich in fatty acids.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a humectant and how does it work?

A humectant is a hygroscopic substance that attracts and retains moisture from the environment to keep products or skin hydrated. Commonly used in cosmetics, personal care items, and food, humectants like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and propylene glycol help maintain moisture balance by drawing water into the outer layer of the skin or product matrix. This property makes them essential in formulations aimed at preventing dryness and improving texture.

What are the most common types of humectants used in skincare?

The most widely used humectants in skincare include glycerin, hyaluronic acid, sorbitol, propylene glycol, and urea. Each offers unique benefits: glycerin is cost-effective and highly effective at hydration; hyaluronic acid can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water; sorbitol provides mild moisturization and acts as a stabilizer; propylene glycol enhances ingredient penetration; and urea helps exfoliate while hydrating. Choosing the right humectant depends on the desired formulation performance and skin compatibility.

Are humectants safe for sensitive skin?

Most humectants are considered safe for sensitive skin when used at appropriate concentrations. Glycerin and hyaluronic acid, for example, are generally well-tolerated and non-irritating. However, some individuals may experience sensitivity to certain humectants like propylene glycol, especially at higher levels. It’s important to patch-test new products and select formulations labeled 'hypoallergenic' or 'dermatologist-tested' if you have reactive or compromised skin barriers.

How do humectants differ from emollients and occlusives?

Humectants, emollients, and occlusives serve complementary roles in moisturization. Humectants draw water into the skin from the environment or deeper layers. Emollients (like squalane or fatty acids) smooth and soften the skin by filling gaps between skin flakes. Occlusives (such as petrolatum or dimethicone) form a protective barrier to prevent moisture loss. Effective moisturizers often combine all three types to deliver comprehensive hydration and barrier support.

Can humectants be used in food and pharmaceutical products?

Yes, humectants are commonly used in both food and pharmaceutical applications. In food, ingredients like glycerin and sorbitol help retain moisture, improve texture, extend shelf life, and prevent crystallization in products such as baked goods, candies, and low-moisture foods. In pharmaceuticals, humectants maintain the stability and consistency of topical creams, ointments, and oral liquids. Regulatory-approved humectants must meet strict purity and safety standards for use in consumable and medicinal products.

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