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At a glance

Humectants

Moisture binding

Ionic type
Nonionic
Typical HLB
High
Foam
None
Key industries
Personal care

Biodegradability: Glycols and PEG humectants are used at low dose; environmental profile follows the specific MW.

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Applications

Humectants

What are humectants? Humectants are ingredients that attract and hold moisture in the skin and hair. They help prevent dryness, improve hydration, and support the barrier function of the skin. Esteem’s humectants include glycereth derivatives, polyethylene glycols, and lactylates used as cosmetic ingredients in skincare, haircare, and cleansers—from mild baby care to high-performance treatments.

Key benefits

  • Improved moisture retention in skin and hair through hygroscopic molecules that bind water and help maintain hydration over time.
  • Enhanced sensory feel and slip in creams, lotions, cleansers, and haircare products by combining humectancy with lubricity and conditioning.
  • Flexible performance across a wide pH and temperature range, allowing use in everything from mild baby care to high-performance treatment products.

Typical applications

  • Facial moisturizers, body lotions, hand creams, and after-shave products where long-lasting hydration and comfort are critical.
  • Shampoos, conditioners, and styling products that rely on humectants to reduce dryness, improve combability, and support hair fiber integrity.
  • Cleansers and bath products in which humectants help counteract the drying effect of surfactants, contributing to a more skin-friendly profile.

Technical highlights

  • Range covering glycereth derivatives, polyethylene glycols, lactylates, and multifunctional humectant-emulsifier systems.
  • Grades selected for low odor, cosmetic purity, and excellent compatibility with common surfactants, emollients, and actives.
  • Supported by formulation know-how to balance humectant loading, tackiness, and stability in modern high-performance personal care products.
Product range

Humectants

Humectants technical guide

Glycereth-7EO, Glycereth-26EO, polyethylene glycols (MW 200–10000), sodium stearoyl lactylate, and sorbitan esters are the published grades. Skin-feel vs occlusive pairing is in the humectants in skincare guide.

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Related CAS Numbers

Polyethylene Glycol CAS 25322-68-3
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Learn the chemistry

Technical guides for this product family

Primers matched to this chemistry family. Start here, then open a TDS.

Primer

What Are Humectants?

Glycerin, glycols, and PEG moisture retention.

Read guide Primer

What Are Emollients?

How humectants differ from emollients and occlusives.

Read guide Guide

Polyethylene Glycol Hub

PEG grades used as humectants and carriers.

Read guide

Related Technical Guides

Personal care surfactants, betaines, amides, and TEA

What Are Amphoteric Surfactants? Read guide →
Cationic vs Amphoteric Surfactants Read guide →
Hydrotropes vs Solubilizers Read guide →
Micellar Water Mild Nonionic Solubilizers Read guide →
What Are Foaming Agents? Read guide →
What Are Viscosity Builders? Read guide →
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions - Humectants

Find answers to common questions about humectants

Humectants are specialty ingredients used in personal care products to attract and retain moisture, helping to keep skin and hair hydrated. They are essential for maintaining moisture balance and preventing dryness in personal care formulations.
We offer polyethylene glycols and specialty humectants for personal care applications. Our products effectively attract and retain moisture, helping to maintain skin and hair hydration.
Humectants are used in personal care products including skin creams, lotions, shampoos, conditioners, and hair care products. They help maintain moisture balance, prevent dryness, and improve product performance.
Benefits include improved moisture retention, enhanced skin and hair hydration, reduced dryness, better product feel, improved product performance, and enhanced user experience. They help create high-quality personal care products with superior moisturizing properties.
Next step

Need a humectant sample for skin or hair care?

Talk to Esteem Industries formulators about moisture-retention grades, sensory balance, and application trials for creams, lotions, and haircare.

Request a sample Browse technical blog TDS / SDS / COA