Skin conditioning - humectant

These ingredients help the skin attract and retain water in the upper layers of the epidermis, thereby reducing the feeling of dryness, tightness and roughness. Humectants work as "magnets" for moisture: they increase the water content in the stratum corneum and maintain a softer, smoother skin surface. That is why they are often included in creams, serums, lotions, masks and after-wash products. Dermatological sources note that humectants attract and retain water in the stratum corneum, that is, they attract and retain water in the stratum corneum of the skin; this group includes, for example, glycerin, urea and hyaluronic acid (dermnetnz.org ).

In a cosmetic formula, they are important not only for care, but also for the consumer properties of the product. Due to the ability to bind water, such components can make the texture more comfortable, reduce the feeling of drying out after application and help the product to spread better over the skin. Humectants are also used in hair products.: they keep the hair fiber hydrated, which can visually reduce dryness and brittleness, as well as improve the softness of the strands. In official FDA materials, humectants are described as substances used in external formulas to increase the solubility of components and their interaction with the skin; examples include glycerin and sodium hyaluronate (fda.gov ).

Typical representatives of this function include glycerin and sodium hyaluronate. Glycerin is one of the most common moisturizing ingredients in basic care, and sodium hyaluronate is valued for its ability to bind water and give the skin a fuller, fresher appearance. At the same time, the effect of such substances is especially noticeable in well-balanced formulas, where they are combined with softening and barrier components.: this way, moisture is not only attracted, but also better preserved in the skin (dermnetnz.org ).