Humectant: Examples and benefits for skin, hair, and lips Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe What are humectants and what do they do Medically reviewed by Bukky Aremu, APRN — By Mary West on March 30, 2022Humectants are substances that attract water. In personal care products, they help hydrate the skin, hair, or nails. Hyaluronic acid and glycerin are examples of humectants. The benefits of humectants depend on the ingredient. In general, however, the effects include relief of dry skin, reduction of thickened skin, and strengthening of the skin barrier. Humectants are different from emollients and occlusives. These ingredients are also in many personal care products for dry skin. However, they work by forming a barrier over the skin, trapping moisture inside rather than attracting it. Oils, butters, and waxes, such as lanolin, are examples. This article discusses humectants and the products that contain them, as well as examples and benefits. It also outlines the difference between a humectant and an emollient and an occlusive. What is a humectant Share on Pinterestberkay/Getty ImagesHumectants are ingredients that attract and bind water. In skin care, they draw water from the deeper layers of the skin to the outermost layer. If air humidity is higher than 70%, they also draw water from the surrounding environment to the skin. In hair care, humectants perform a similar function. They attract water to the hair shaft, helping keep it hydrated. Products that contain humectants Examples of products that can contain humectants include:face washesface serumsmoisturizers and lotionsface masksshampoosconditionerslip balmsnail care products Examples of humectants Many ingredients act as humectants, including:glycerinureahyaluronic acidsalicylic acidalpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), such as glycolic acid and lactic acidpropylene glycolhoneysorbitol What are the benefits of humectants All humectants have slightly different properties. Below is some of the research on common humectants. Strengthen skin barrier The outermost layer of the skin, the stratum corneum, has an important function of serving as a barrier. It slows the evaporation of water from the skin and helps protect against microbes. A 2021 review notes that urea helps enhance the stratum corneum by increasing hydration and improving the skin barrier’s integrity. Because of this, it has a long history as a skin care ingredient. Urea can help with many skin conditions, such as:dry skinichthyosisatopic dermatitisseborrheic dermatitispsoriasis Relieve keratosis An older 2013 study evaluated the effects of once and twice daily applications of a humectant-rich moisturizer containing 15% AHAs and 15% urea. The study involved 62 participants. Of them, 12 had no skin conditions, and 50 had hyperkeratosis, or thickened skin, on the feet. Among the participants with hyperkeratosis, the results indicated that the moisturizer:removed scalesincreased skin hydrationreduced thickness of hyperkeratosis The participants with no skin conditions experienced an improvement in skin barrier function. Reduce dry skin As people age, they have a higher risk of developing dry skin. A 2019 review analyzed databases from 1990–2018 that dealt with skin conditions of people over the age of 50 years. It found that leave-on products containing lipophilic humectants decreased skin dryness and itching. A lipophilic humectant is one that manufacturers have dissolved in fats or lipids. Additionally, a 2021 research article notes that the humectant lactic acid can relieve rough, dry skin at concentrations up to 12%. Promote wound healing Older research from 2012 states that hyaluronic acid helps speed up wound repair and reduces scar appearance. These benefits stem from the humectant’s actions of promoting new blood vessel formation and increasing fibroblasts, which are cells in connective tissue that produce collagen and other fibers. Humectants vs emollients and occlusives Another popular group of ingredients for moisturizing the skin and hair are emollients and occlusives. These work by creating a barrier, often consisting of a plant oil or butter, over the skin or hair. Instead of attracting moisture, they trap it beneath this barrier, preventing it from evaporating. In comparison to humectants, emollients and occlusives tend to be thicker, heavier ingredients. Emollients A 2017 study notes that emollients consist mostly of lipids, such as natural oils and waxes. They increase skin:softnesshydrationsmoothnessflexibility Examples of emollients include:coconut oiljojoba oilcastor oil Occlusives Occlusives are mostly oil-based. They provide a layer on the skin surface that helps protect against water evaporation. This preservation of skin hydration helps prevent dry skin and eczema, reports research from 2018. Examples of occlusives include:beeswaxmineral oilsiliconespetroleum jellyparaffinlanolin Which is best Whether a person should use humectants, emollients, or both depends on their skin type. Emollients and occlusives tend to be heavier ingredients. Some add more oil to the skin and hair, which can be helpful for those with dry skin. However, individuals with oily skin or hair may find this unhelpful. Some emollients and occlusives are also comedogenic, which means they have the potential to block pores and cause acne. Humectants, on the other hand, tend to be noncomedogenic and non-oily. They can add hydration without the use of heavier ingredients. Some also have other benefits. For example, AHAs are also exfoliants. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, a person with oily skin should choose skin care products that have “oil-free” and “noncomedogenic” on the label. People with hair that gets greasy quickly may prefer to look for hair products that do not contain much oil, if any. In contrast, someone with dry skin or hair could benefit from products that contain humectants, emollients, and occlusives. Learn about skin types and how to identify them here. Summary A humectant is a substance that draws water into the skin, hair, or nails. In the skin, this may come from the deeper layers, or from the air if it is humid enough. Humectants are useful for adding hydration without feeling heavy or oily. Humectants include ingredients such as glycerin, urea, AHAs, and hyaluronic acid. People can find them in a wide range of personal care products. Aside from humectants, personal care products often contain emollients and occlusives. While humectants provide hydration, emollients soften the skin, and occlusives help prevent water in the skin from evaporating. People can consult a dermatologist to identify their skin type and find the best regimen for them. Last medically reviewed on March 30, 2022DermatologyAtopic Dermatitis / EczemaCosmetic Medicine / Plastic Surgery 8 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Harwood, A., et al. (2021). Moisturizers.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545171/Hon, K. L., et al. (2018). Emollient treatment of atopic dermatitis: Latest evidence and clinical considerations.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC5908267/How to control oily skin. (n.d.).https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/dry/oily-skinLichterfeld-Kottner, A., et al. (2019). Maintaining skin integrity in the aged: A systematic review [Abstract].https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31945604/Lodén, M., et al. (2013). The influence of a humectant-rich mixture on normalz skin barrier function and on once- and twice-daily treatment of foot xerosis. A prospective, randomized, evaluator-blind, bilateral and untreated-control study [Abstract].https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23521561/Piquero-Casals, J., et al. (2021). Urea in dermatology: A review of its emollient, moisturizing, keratolytic, skin barrier enhancing and antimicrobial properties [Abstract].https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13555-021-00611-yProsdocimi, M., et al. (2012). Exogenous hyaluronic acid and wound healing: An updated vision [Abstract].https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22525567/Purnamawati, S., et al. (2017). The role of moisturizers in addressing various kinds of dermatitis: A review.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC5849435/FEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Bukky Aremu, APRN — By Mary West on March 30, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageWhat is the difference between skin hydration and moisture? Hydrating skin care ingredients attract water, while moisturizers keep the hydration in. Learn more.READ MOREWhat to know about vegetable glycerinMedically reviewed by Lisa Hodgson, RDN, CDN, CDE What is vegetable glycerin? 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