HUMECTANTS: Benefits For Skin And Hair

Table of Contents

• WHAT ARE HUMECTANTS?
• PRODUCTS THAT CONTAIN HUMECTANTS
• 4 MAIN BENEFITS OF HUMECTANTS
  • 1. Strengthen skin barrier
  • 2. Relieve Keratosis
  • 3. Reduce Dry Skin
  • 4. Promote Wound Healing
• TYPES OF HUMECTANTS
  • Hyaluronic acid
  • Glycerin. 
  • Alpha hydroxy acids (AHA)
  • Aloe Vera 
• HOW MUCH HYDRATION DOES THE SKIN NEED?
• TAKE AWAY

Nobody likes dry skin and hair. In addition to being uncomfortable, dry skin can exacerbate eczema and increase your risk of developing skin infections. Hair that is dry and damaged loses its natural shine and feels fragile and straw-like. ​This is where humectants come to the rescue!

Using humectants in your skincare and hair care routine is a great way to keep your skin and hair healthy and moisturized. They help to lock in moisture and offer various benefits, making your skin and hair look their best. 

So, whether you have dry skin, brittle hair, or just want to look and feel great, humectants are your friends in your journey to better self-care and self-confidence.

Let’s learn more about the uses and benefits of humectants!

WHAT ARE HUMECTANTS?

Humectants are substances that draw water from the environment or from deeper inside the skin. 

There are 3 basic types of them: 

• Natural or unchanged
• Naturally derived
• Synthetic

Humectants are mostly found in skin care and hair care products, however, they are used in a variety of fields. They are frequently used as anti-caking agents in food goods. They are also present in several pharmaceuticals and agricultural goods. ​

PRODUCTS THAT CONTAIN HUMECTANTS

Examples of products that can contain humectants include:

• Face washes
• Face serums
• Face masks
• Conditioners 
• Moisturizers and lotions
• Shampoos
• Lip balms
• Nail care products

4 MAIN BENEFITS OF HUMECTANTS

The qualities of each humectant vary somewhat. Some study on common humectants is included below.

1. Strengthen skin barrier

The stratum corneum, the skin’s outermost layer, serves a crucial function as a barrier. It helps in microbial defense and reduces the rate at which water evaporates from the skin.

According to a review published in 2021, urea contributes to the stratum corneum’s improvement by boosting moisture and strengthening the skin barrier. It has a lengthy history as a skin care component as a result. 

Urea can help with many skin conditions, such as:

• Dry skin
• Ichthyosis
• Atopic dermatitis
• Psoriasis

2. Relieve Keratosis

An earlier 2013 research evaluated the results of using a humectant-rich moisturizer with 15% AHAs and 15% urea once or twice a day. There were 62 participants in the research. Out of them, 12 had normal skin, and 50 had thicker skin on their feet, a condition known as hyperkeratosis.

The findings showed that among the individuals with hyperkeratosis, the moisturizer:

• Eliminated scales
• Increased moisture for the skin
• Decreased hyperkeratosis thickness

The skin barrier function of the subjects who did not have any skin problems improved.

3. Reduce Dry Skin

People are more likely to experience dry skin as they become older. A study from 2019 examined datasets from 1990 to 2018 that dealt with skin diseases in adults over 50. It was discovered that lipophilic humectant-containing leave-on products reduced skin irritation and dryness. 

A humectant that has been dissolved in fats or lipids by manufacturers is referred to as lipophilic.

4. Promote Wound Healing

Hyaluronic acid is said to accelerate wound healing and lessen the visibility of scars, according to an earlier study from 2012. These advantages result from the humectant’s stimulation of blood vessel creation and fibroblast proliferation, which are connective tissue cells that generate collagen and other fibers.

TYPES OF HUMECTANTS

Some humectants are used more frequently than others, despite the fact that there are many types. Among the most typical are:

Hyaluronic acid

This is a naturally occurring chemical, yet as we age, our bodies produce less of it. That’s one of the things that causes aging, dry skin. The majority of hyaluronic acid used in skincare products is produced in laboratories.

Glycerin.

Glycerin, also known as glycerol or glycerine, is a transparent material found naturally in plant and animal tissue, including human tissue. A large portion of the glycerin included in cosmetics comes from sugarcane and soybeans. One of the best humectants is glycerin, which also maintains the integrity of your skin barrier.​

Alpha hydroxy acids (AHA)

Fruit and milk sugars naturally include acids that are converted into alpha hydroxy acids, such as citric, lactic, and glycolic acids. AHAs assist the body in eliminating dead skin cells in addition to attracting water. Citric acid is derived from citrus fruits, lactic acid from milk, and glycolic acid from sugar cane.​

Aloe Vera

The aloe vera plant yields aloe vera juice and gel, which may be used to make your skin and hair seem smoother. Aloe vera may function as both an emollient and a humectant in this way. ​

HOW MUCH HYDRATION DOES THE SKIN NEED?

A modest 2015 research looked at the effects of consuming water every day on one’s skin from food and beverages. It examined the skin features of those who drank more water and those who drank less among 49 healthy female participants.

According to the findings, drinking more water affected certain aspects of skin features but not others. Skin hydration matters a lot for the health of your skin.

The outermost layer of skin, or epidermis, became more hydrated when participants drank more water. The scientists came to the conclusion that improved skin physiology results from increased water consumption. They did not specify the ideal daily water consumption level despite this discovery.

On the other hand, a 2010 research suggested that men should drink 3,000 milliliters of water daily and women 2,200 milliliters. For men, this equals 101 ounces, while for women, it equals 74 ounces. Given that one cup is eight ounces, the recommended daily intake for men is twelve cups, while for women it is nine cups.

TAKE AWAY

In summary, humectants are like magic moisture magnets for your skin, hair, and lips. They come in different types – natural, made from nature, and synthetic. You can find them in various products like face wash, moisturizers, shampoos, and lip balms.

The best part? Humectants have superpowers! They can strengthen your skin’s defenses, help with rough skin, combat dryness, and even make your skin heal faster. Some popular humectants include hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and aloe vera.

Remember to drink enough water too because it also helps keep your skin happy. So, if you want to keep your skin and hair feeling great, humectants are the way to go!