Humectants at a glance
Best used: AM/PM Multiple times a day | Caution: Well tolerated | Best for: Moisturiser, dry skin, normal skin |
Comments: One of the building blocks of skin care | Mode of action: Increases epidermal water content | Science Score: ***** |
What are humectants?
Humectants are common molecules added to many cosmetic moisturizers. They act by drawing water from the environment & also the lower layers of skin. This hydrates the upper layers of skin.
What are naturally occurring humectants?
Naturally occurring humectants include lactic acid (origin of sour milk), aloe vera (plant based), honey & glycerin. In most cases preservatives are added to these products in order to increase the shelf life. For more on totally natural solutions, consult your naturopath.
What are the most common humectants found in cosmetic products?
Moisturizers usually contain a mix of humectants, emollients & occlusives. The most common humectants found in cosmetic products include-
- Hyaluronic acid
- Lactic acid
- Glycerin
- Propylene Glycol
- Butylene Glycol
- Aloe Vera Gel
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How should I incorporate humectants into my daily skin care?
Don’t overthink it, unless you have a true allergic reaction to a particular ingredient (confirmed as a true allergy on patch testing). If you have super dry skin, possibly emollients & occlusive ointments may be required. Examples include dermatitis, eczema & xerosis. If you have normal skin and would like a good moisturizer, choose a product that suits your skin type. Hyaluronic acid is a good start.
Why is hyaluronic acid a good humectant?
Yes, hyaluronic acid can be used on top of your skin (as well as injected into the dermal layers). Applied to skin, hyaluronic acid is one of the best humectants as it is non-irritating & holds over 1000 times it’s molecular weight in water. Most cosmetic companies will have varying sizes of hyaluronic acids (cross-linking). Smaller molecules penetrate deeper into the epidermis, whilst larger molecules sit on the top layer. This allows for even absorption & skin hydration.
Even the smallest hyaluronic acid molecules can not penetrate the basement layer that separates the upper skin or epidermis from the lower dermis. For dermal hydration, hyaluronic acid requires an injection. This is the basis of dermal fillers. Even though hyaluronic acid acts as a powerful humectant, the true value of this molecule is best utilized under, not on the skin.
What is the difference between an occlusive and a humectant?
Occlusives including petroleum jelly, & mineral oil work by reducing water loss. These molecules sit on the top layer of skin, preventing TEWL or trans-epidermal water loss. Humectants on the other hand work by drawing moisture from the atmosphere & deeper dermis to hydrate the epidermis (top layer of skin). Occlusives are better choices if you have very dry skin, or compromised skin barrier- examples include post laser resurfacing & medium to deep chemical peels.
What are hair humectants?
Hair humectants are ingredients used in products to moisturize dry or damaged hair. They promote hydration by attracting water molecules from the local environment and binding them to specific sites along their structure. Hair humectants include glycerin, sorbitol, aloe vera, maltitol, propylene glycol & vitamin B5.
Davin’s Tip on the use of Humectants
Don’t over think the actual ingredient list as it is complex. Humectants, occlusives & emollients can all act as moisturisers. Occlusives & emollients are generally better for true pathology, namely xerosis, atopic eczema & impared barrier function. Most moisturizers combine variations of all three. If you do have issues with some ingredients, example possible allergic reactions, specific patch testing can be conducted by medical dermatologists. An infrequent culprit is propylene glycol, a popular humectant found in many formulations.
*Disclaimer: I am a procedural dermatologist, I do not perform patch testing. For product advice & ingredient information, please consult your treating specialist.