Humectant

Humectants are one of the primary building blocks of hair and skin care cosmetic formulations. Humectants are materials that are hygroscopic and are capable of retaining moisture over a wide relative humidity range.

In cosmetics they play an important role in hydrating the skin and hair, making them feel softer, enhancing suppleness, flexibility, and stretchability. They help to alleviate the drying conditions which threaten the appearance and well-being of the skin and hair caused by the environment.

Simply put, humectants have the ability to bind water to their molecules and want to do this to achieve a stable free energy state. Consequently, they are always very soluble in water.

Polyglyceryl-3 Laurate is a monoester for laruic acid with a polyglycerol with three glycerin units. It is a clear to slightly hazy viscous liquid with a slight characteristic odor.

Polyquaternium-71 is a synthetic, highly ionized, hygroscopic, water-soluble polymer that effectively binds water molecules and delivers an intensive hydration effect for both skin and hair applications.

Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate is a multifunctional ingredient that combines the effectiveness of azelaic acid with the moisturizing power of glycin. It is also known as Azeloglycine.

Potassium Olivoyl PCA is a vegetal softening lipo-amino acid as a fatty acid vehicle an emollient, and moisturizing agent, and a softening surfactant.

PPG-10 Methyl Glucose Ether is a propoxylated methyl glucose ether, a pale, yellow syrup (moderate-viscosity liquid) with a mild odor. It is an effective emollient, fragrance fixative, and humectant for hair and skin care products.

PPG-20 Methyl Glucose Ether is a propoxylated methyl glucose ether, a moderate-viscosity pale, yellow syrup (liquid) with a mild odor. It is an effective emollient, fragrance fixative, and humectant for hair and skin care products.

PPG-26/Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer (trade name Pelemol® D-2000) is a clear viscous, pourable liquid that is extremely substantive and glossy. Substantivity to the skin is so intense that repeated washing with soap and water does not completely remove the product.

Propanediol (also known as 1,3-propanediol) is an organic solvent, emollient, and adsorption booster derived from corn starch. It solubilizes and emulsifies oil, dirt, and makeup and rinses off the skin.

Propylene Glycol is diol alcohol (it contains two hydroxy groups in 1 and 2 positions—propane-1,2-diol), a humectant or humidifying and delivery ingredient used in cosmetics. It is a water-white, viscous, odorless, hygroscopic liquid with low volatility and is readily soluble in water.

Glycation occurs from the reaction of glucose and a protein that produces AGEs (Advanced Glycation Products), forming stable brownish-yellow compounds in the skin, hair, and the body as a whole.

Abundant in flavanoid isoflavones, Kudzu roots extract leaves potent antioxidant, mild estrogenic, and skin whitening effects. It also has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory actions.
The fundamental building block of the ATP molecule, D-Ribose, induces the production of new energy units (ATP) to restore the energetic pool and increases skin cell respiration to recover an optimal cellular metabolism.
Saccharide Isomerate increases the water-binding capacity of the stratum corneum; adheres to the keratin of the horny layer; reduces dryness and irritation caused by Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs).

Saccharomyces Lysate Extract is produced by exposing cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to hydrogen peroxide. It has been well established that introducing stress in the form of heat or UV radiation to yeast cell cultures will promote the formation of tissue respiratory factors (TRF).

Schizophyllan is a natural polysaccharide derived from mushroom bio-fermentation. It is used in anti-aging, suncare, and products designed for mature skin.

The root extract of this medicinal plant contains more than 40 bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, terpenoids, polysaccharides, and essential oil with volatile components.

sh-Polypeptide-6 is a synthetic recombinant single-chain peptide, an analog of human Interleukin 10 (IL-10). Interleukin 10 is an anti-inflammatory cytokine that regulates the immune response and antibody production.

sh-Polypeptide-8 is a synthetic single-chain recombinant analog of human PDGF (Platelet-Derived Growth Factor) that is involved in normal skin growth, healing, and wound repair.

Silk Amino Acids is a mixture obtained from pure silk fibers by hydrolysis to their free amino acids under carefully controlled conditions. The principal amino acids in this ingredient are glycine, alanine, and serine.

A rich source of polysaccharides, Snow Mushroom binds moisture to skin’s surface for a smoother, softer feel, while combating free radicals, diminishing age spots and naturally brightening the skin.
Sodium Hyaluronate is the sodium salt form of Hyaluronic Acid (HA). It has been used in cosmetics and skincare products for moisturization and wound healing.
It is widely used in skin and hair care preparations thanks to numerous beneficial actions, including humectant, buffering, antiseptic, energizing, thickener, emollient, and preservative.

Sodium PCA is contained abundantly in the skin and plays the role of a "natural moisturizing factor" (NMF) ingredient. It is extremely hygroscopic and imparts a pleasant moist feeling to skin and hair.

Sodium Polyaspartate is a homogeneous polymer derived from naturally occurring Aspartic acid. Aspartic acid is a well-known amino acid and a component of many vegetable proteins.

Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate is a highly versatile polymer that performs various functions in both leave-on and rinse-off hair care applications. This polymer is used in styling aids and deep cleansing shampoos.

The sea is the source of all life. Soluble Collagen has been developed utilizing a variety of marine species that are rich in essential minerals and have excellent moisturizing and film-forming properties. It is also made from cattle hides using a weak acid/neutral salt extraction process.

It is a multifunctional ingredient derived from natural raw materials for skin care applications valued for its moisturizing, softening, and conditioning effects on the skin.

Starch Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride is a naturally derived cationic polysaccharide produced from food-grade potato starch that has not been genetically modified and is free of environmentally toxic residues.

This crystalline disaccharide is obtained from sugar cane, sugar beet, and sorghum and forms the greater part of maple sugar.
Combining some of the beneficial actions of both ancestors, TEA-Lactate attracts water molecules thanks to the abundance of hydroxy groups, improving the skin's moisture retention ability, elasticity, and volume.