Encyclopedia

Humectants

13 humectant ingredients explained in plain English.

Aquaxyl Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol Plant-sugar humectant complex that improves skin water reserves, reduces transepidermal water loss, and supports the barrier without the tack of glycerin. 1-3% Betaine Betaine A sugar-beet-derived humectant. Hydrates, soothes sensitive skin, and softens the tacky feel of glycerin. 1-5% Butylene Glycol Butylene Glycol A small, clear, slightly sweet humectant and solvent. Less sticky than glycerin, less drying than propylene glycol. The clear-serum workhorse. 1-30% Glycerin Glycerin The classic water-loving humectant that draws moisture into the skin. The most-used hydrator in cosmetic chemistry. 2-7% Pentylene Glycol Pentylene Glycol A humectant and solvent with mild antimicrobial activity. Silkier feel than propanediol; boosts the preservative system. 3-10% Propanediol Propanediol A plant-derived (corn-fermented) humectant and solvent. Less sticky than glycerin and helps dissolve extracts. 2-10% Propylene Glycol Propylene Glycol Workhorse synthetic humectant and solvent. Smaller molecule than glycerin, lighter feel, also serves as a penetration enhancer for actives. 1-30% Sodium Lactate Sodium Lactate Sodium salt of lactic acid. Humectant, mild exfoliant, and hardness booster for cold-process soap. 1-5% Sodium PCA Sodium PCA A potent humectant that is part of the skin's own natural moisturizing factor. Lighter than glycerin, skin-mimicking. 0.5-3% Sorbitol Sorbitol Sugar-alcohol humectant. Less tacky than glycerin, common in transparent soap and gentle formulas. 1-15% Trehalose Trehalose Disaccharide humectant from yeast. Exceptional moisture retention with a soft, non-tacky finish. 1-5% Urea Urea A skin-mimicking humectant at low %, a gentle keratolytic at high %. Powerful but temperamental in formulation. 1-10% Xylitol Xylitol A sugar alcohol with humectant, prebiotic, and subtle cooling properties that hydrates skin and supports a balanced microbiome. 1-5%