Humectants
Reviewed by Emma · Last updated 18 Aug 2026
Also known as: glycerin, hyaluronic acid, sodium hyaluronate, sodium PCA, glycols, amino acids, glycolic acid, plant sugars, polysaccharides, honey, panthenol
Ingredients that draw and bind moisture to skin | Keep skin’s water levels balanced
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EWG Safety Score
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What Is Humectants?
Humectants are ingredients that attract water to skin. They include glycerin, hyaluronic acid, sodium hyaluronate, sodium PCA, various glycols, amino acids, glycolic acid, various plant sugars known as polysaccharides, honey, and the B vitamin panthenol. Humectants draw and bind this moisture to skin, then help evenly distribute it within skin's water channels, known as aquaporins. This can give skin a plump, dewy, smooth look, which is why humectants are commonly used in moisturizers and serums.
Along with attracting water from the ambient air, humectants can also pull it from skin's lower layers. While that may sound like it would make dry skin worse, in reality humectants (and the ingredients paired with them) form a flexible film on skin that keeps the water that's drawn from skin's lower layers from evaporating. In essence, humectants are smart ingredients that attract moisture in the areas that skin needs it to the most, and act accordingly to keep skin's water levels balanced.
Today's best skin care products artfully combine humectants with emollients, replenishing fatty acids, peptides, and hydrating antioxidants to help skin get the most from them. At the same time, such blends work with humectants to minimize water loss and keep skin soft, smooth, and comfortable.
Clinical Evidence & References
Published Research
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Medicina, July 2022, pages 1-17 [https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/58/7/888]
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Clinical, Cosmetic, and Investigative Dermatology, October 2018, pages 491–497 [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6197824/]
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Clinical Medicine and Research, December 2017, pages 75–87 [https://www.clinmedres.org/content/15/3-4/75.short]
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Indian Journal of Dermatology, May-June 2016, pages 279–287 [URL not found]
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International Journal of Cosmetic Science, April 2017, pages 165–178 [URL not found]
From the Clinic
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Glycerol Triacetate
Used as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics.
Hexanediol
A solvent that helps dissolve and stabilise other skincare actives
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Water
A plant-derived solvent with antioxidant compounds from sea buckthorn fruit
Hydroxypropylene Carbonate
A solvent ingredient that helps dissolve and stabilise other skincare actives
Isododecane
Synthetic hydrocarbon ingredient used as a solvent
Isohexadecane
Versatile ingredient used as a cleansing agent, solvent, texture enhancer, and skin-conditioning agent | Imparts a non-greasy, lightweight, silky feel
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