Ingredient Encyclopedia

1,2-Hexanediol

A multitasking glycol that hydrates lightly, dissolves ingredients that resist water, and makes the environment less hospitable to microbes. That last property lets formulators lean less on classic preservatives, which is why it shows up so often.

Arginine

An amino acid that serves as a skin-conditioning humectant and is also used to neutralize (raise the pH of) acidic formulas. It contributes to the skin's natural moisturizing factors.

Betaine

An osmoprotectant humectant, derived from sugar beet, that hydrates skin and supports its resilience to dryness and stress.

Butylene Glycol

A small synthetic diol used as a humectant, solvent and viscosity modifier — it holds water and dissolves other ingredients so they disperse evenly through a formula.

Caprylyl Glycol

A multifunctional glycol that hydrates and conditions skin while also enhancing a formula's preservative efficacy. It contributes a light, smooth skin feel.

Erythritol

A sugar alcohol used as a humectant that attracts and holds moisture while giving a light, non-sticky finish. It also helps improve product texture.

Ethylhexylglycerin

A preservative booster: it disrupts microbial cell membranes so a formula's main preservative works harder, letting formulators use less of it overall.

Glycerin

Draws water into the outer skin layer and reinforces the barrier that keeps it there.

Glyceryl Glucoside

A sugar-and-glycerin derived osmolyte that acts as a humectant to support the skin's water balance and moisture-retention. It is often used in deep-hydration and moisture-barrier products.

Collagen

Hydrolyzed Collagen

Hydrolyzed collagen peptides that hydrate the surface and support the skin's own structural proteins.

Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid broken into shorter chains so it penetrates further into the epidermis rather than sitting as a film on the surface.

Hydroxyethyl Urea

A urea-derived humectant that holds water in the skin's surface layers, offering hydration similar to urea but with a milder, non-exfoliating profile. It helps keep skin supple.

Inositol

A sugar-like compound that functions as a humectant and skin-conditioning agent, helping to hydrate and smooth the surface. It is sometimes grouped with the B-vitamin family.

Laminaria (Kelp) Extract

Laminaria Digitata Extract

A brown-seaweed extract used as a mineral-rich humectant and skin-conditioning agent that helps hydrate and soften the surface. It also supplies antioxidant polysaccharides.

Honey

Mel

A natural humectant with mild antimicrobial and soothing properties, historically used for wound care and dry skin.

Methylpropanediol

A light glycol used mostly as a solvent and texture-thinner, and partly as a humectant. It dissolves actives such as salicylic acid and is described by suppliers as helping them spread and absorb, which is why serums often feel fast-sinking.

Rice Ferment Filtrate

Oryza Sativa (Rice) Ferment Filtrate

A fermented rice liquid carrying amino acids, sugars and ferulic acid, used as a lightweight hydrating and mildly brightening base.

Panthenol

Hydrates, soothes irritation, and supports barrier repair by converting to vitamin B5 in the skin.

Pentylene Glycol

A multifunctional glycol that acts as a humectant and solvent while also boosting the efficacy of a formula's preservative system. It helps dissolve other ingredients and adds light hydration.

Polyglutamic Acid

A fermentation-derived humectant that holds up to four times more water than hyaluronic acid and forms a smoothing surface film.

Propanediol

A lightweight humectant and solvent, often plant-fermentation-derived, used to hydrate skin and improve texture and absorption of other ingredients.

Propylene Glycol

A widely used humectant and solvent that attracts moisture and improves the penetration and texture of formulas. It has a long history of safe cosmetic use.

Saccharide Isomerate

A plant-derived carbohydrate complex that binds to the skin surface to provide long-lasting, water-retaining hydration. It is often described as a moisture-anchoring humectant.

Hyaluronic Acid

Sodium Hyaluronate

Draws water into the skin's surface for an immediate, visible plumping effect.

Sodium Hyaluronate

The sodium salt of hyaluronic acid and the form most cosmetics actually use — more water-soluble and more stable than the free acid, and a highly efficient humectant.

Sodium Lactate

A natural moisturizing factor (NMF) component and humectant that attracts water to the skin and adjusts formula pH.

Sodium PCA

A natural moisturizing factor component that attracts and holds water in the outer skin layers.

Sorbitol

A sugar alcohol used as a humectant and mild texture agent that helps skin retain water and gives products a smooth slip. It is also valued for stabilizing formulas and improving spreadability.

Trehalose

A naturally occurring sugar that acts as a humectant and helps protect cell structures against dehydration stress. It supports moisture retention and formula stability.

Tremella Fuciformis Extract

Tremella Fuciformis (Mushroom) Extract

An extract from the snow mushroom prized as a botanical humectant that holds a large amount of water for its weight. It is often positioned as a plant-based alternative to hyaluronic acid.

Urea

Draws water into the stratum corneum and, at higher concentrations, softens and lifts excess keratin.

Xylitol

A plant-derived sugar alcohol that works as a humectant to support the skin's surface hydration and moisture balance. It is often paired with other sugars in hydrating complexes.