Ingredient category

Humectants (water-binding)

In short

Water-binding humectants that draw and hold moisture in the skin.

Humectants in our reference (331)

Ingredient
1,2 Propanediol
Humectant / solvent
Ingredient
1,2-Hexanediol
Humectant / preservative booster
Ingredient
1,3 Butylene Glycol
Humectant / solvent
Ingredient
1,3-Propanediol
Humectant/solvent
Ingredient
2 Propanediol
Humectant/solvent
Ingredient
2,3-Butanediol
Humectant / solvent
Ingredient
2-Hexanediol
Humectant/preservative-booster
Ingredient
2-Hexanediol Water)
Humectant / Preservative-booster
Ingredient
3-Butanediol
Humectant/solvent
Ingredient
3-Butylene Glycol
Humectant/solvent
Ingredient
3-Propanediol
Humectant / solvent
Ingredient
Acer Saccharum (Sugar Maple) Extract
Natural AHA source / exfoliant & humectant
Ingredient
Acer Saccharum Extract
Exfoliant/Humectant
Ingredient
ACETAMIDE MEA
Humectant/Conditioning agent
Ingredient
Acetyl Glutamine
Humectant / amino acid derivative
Ingredient
Acetyl Hydroxyproline
Humectant / skin-conditioning amino acid derivative
Ingredient
Alanine
Amino acid / humectant
Ingredient
Algae Extract
Emollient/conditioning agent (humectant, antioxidant)
Ingredient
Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Extract
Soothing/humectant
Ingredient
Aloe barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Juice
Soothing humectant/emollient base
Ingredient
Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Extract
Soothing / humectant
Ingredient
Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice
Soothing/humectant
Ingredient
Aloe barbadensis (Aloe vera) leaf water
Soothing humectant / base ingredient
Ingredient
Aloe Barbadensis (Aloevera) Leaf Extract
Soothing/humectant
Ingredient
Aloe Barbadensis Juice
Soothing/humectant
Ingredient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Soothing/humectant
Ingredient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Soothing humectant
Ingredient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Powder
Soothing/humectant
Ingredient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
Soothing/humectant base
Ingredient
Aloe Barbadensis Miller (Aloe Vera) Extract
Soothing/moisturizing humectant
Ingredient
Aloe Vera Extract
Soothing humectant/emollient
Ingredient
Aloe Vera Juice
Soothing humectant/emollient
Ingredient
Aloe Vera Leaf Extract
Soothing/humectant
Ingredient
Alpha-Glucan
Humectant / prebiotic skin-conditioning agent
Ingredient
Amino Acids
Humectant / skin-conditioning agent
Ingredient
Ammonium Lactate
Humectant/exfoliant (alpha hydroxy acid)
Ingredient
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant / moisturizing agent
Ingredient
Anhydroxylitol And Xylitol
Humectant / moisturizing agent
Ingredient
Ascorbyl Propyl Hyaluronate
Antioxidant / hydrating active
Ingredient
Ascorbyl Propyl Hydrolyzed Hyaluronate
Antioxidant/hydrating active
Ingredient
Ascorbylpropyl Hydrolyzed Hyaluronate
Antioxidant / hydrating active
Ingredient
Asparagine
Amino acid / humectant
Ingredient
Aspartic Acid
Amino acid / humectant
Ingredient
Bacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin conditioning / moisturizing humectant
Ingredient
Bambusa Vulgaris Water
Humectant/Soothing agent
Ingredient
Beet Root Extract⁠
Antioxidant / humectant / natural colorant
Ingredient
Benzyl Alcohol (And) Ethylhexylglycerin (And) Tocopherol
Preservative blend / antioxidant
Ingredient
Beta Vulgaris (Beet) Root Extract
Skin conditioning / humectant
Ingredient
Betaine
Humectant / osmolyte
Ingredient
Betaine Salicylate
Exfoliant / BHA
Ingredient
Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice
Humectant / Soothing
Ingredient
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant / skin-conditioning film former
Ingredient
buckwheat honey
Humectant / antioxidant
Ingredient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant / solvent
Ingredient
Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract
Skin conditioning / film-forming humectant
Ingredient
Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Pod Extract
Skin-conditioning / humectant
Ingredient
Calcium Pantothenate
Skin conditioning / humectant (provitamin B5 derivative)
Ingredient
Capryloyl Glycerin
Emollient/skin-conditioning agent
Ingredient
Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin-conditioning / emollient film-former
Ingredient
Caprylyl Glycol
Humectant / skin-conditioning agent and preservative booster
Ingredient
Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide
Humectant / Hydrating film-former
Ingredient
Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract
Soothing/anti-inflammatory botanical extract
Ingredient
Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water
Soothing / toner
Ingredient
Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan) Extract
Humectant/film-former
Ingredient
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Humectant/film-former
Ingredient
Citrullus Lanatus (Watermelon) Fruit Extract
Antioxidant/humectant
Ingredient
Citrullus Lanatus Extract
Antioxidant/humectant
Ingredient
Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Antioxidant / humectant
Ingredient
Citrullus Vulgaris Fruit Extract
Skin-conditioning/humectant antioxidant
Ingredient
Cladosiphon Okamuranus Extract
Humectant/antioxidant
Ingredient
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Surfactant / foaming cleanser
Ingredient
Coco-Betaine
Surfactant/cleansing agent
Ingredient
Cocoamidopropyl Betaine
Surfactant/cleansing agent
Ingredient
Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Water
Humectant / skin-conditioning agent
Ingredient
Cocos Nucifera Water
Skin-conditioning humectant
Ingredient
Collagen
Humectant / film-forming moisturizer
Ingredient
Collagen Extract
Humectant / film-former
Ingredient
Collagen Powder
Humectant / film-former
Ingredient
D-Panthenol
Humectant / skin-conditioning agent
Ingredient
Decylene Glycol
Emollient / humectant / preservative-booster
Ingredient
Desamido Collagen
Humectant / film-forming conditioning agent
Ingredient
Dexpanthenol
Humectant/skin conditioning agent (provitamin B5)
Ingredient
Dextran
Polysaccharide film-former / humectant
Ingredient
Diazolidinyl Urea
Preservative (antimicrobial)
Ingredient
Diglycerin
Humectant
Ingredient
Dimethicone/Polyglycerin-3 Crosspolymer
Emulsifier/texture enhancer
Ingredient
Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate
Humectant / hydrating active
Ingredient
Dimethysilanol Hyaluronate
Hydrating agent / silicon-bound hyaluronic acid derivative
Ingredient
Dipropylene Glycol
Solvent/humectant
Ingredient
Dl Panthenol
Humectant / skin-conditioning agent
Ingredient
E-Ascorbic Acid And Hyaluronic Acid
Antioxidant + humectant
Ingredient
Echinacea Purpurea Extract
Soothing/antioxidant botanical
Ingredient
Ectoin
Protective osmolyte / humectant
Ingredient
Erythritol
Humectant
Ingredient
ETHYL HEXYL GLYCERIN
Preservative booster / skin-conditioning agent
Ingredient
Ethylhexyl Glycerin
Preservative booster / skin-conditioning agent
Ingredient
Ethylhexyl Glycerine
Preservative booster / skin conditioning agent
Ingredient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Preservative booster / skin-conditioning agent
Ingredient
Ethylhexylglycerin (And) Phenoxyethanol
Preservative / antimicrobial blend
Ingredient
Ethylhexylglycerin (Preservative)
Preservative booster / skin-conditioning agent
Ingredient
Ethylhexylglycerine
Preservative booster / skin-conditioning agent
Ingredient
Faex Extract / Yeast Extract
Skin-conditioning / soothing humectant
Ingredient
Ficus Carica (Fig) Fruit Extract
Skin-conditioning / humectant antioxidant
Ingredient
Fructan
Humectant / skin-conditioning agent
Ingredient
Fructooligosaccharides
Prebiotic / humectant
Ingredient
Fructose
Humectant
Ingredient
Galactoarabinan
Polysaccharide humectant/film-former
Ingredient
Gluconic Acid
Polyhydroxy acid (PHA) exfoliant/humectant
Ingredient
Gluconolactone
Polyhydroxy acid (PHA) exfoliant/humectant
Ingredient
Glucose
Humectant/skin-conditioning agent
Ingredient
Glutamic Acid
Humectant / amino acid
Ingredient
Glutamine
Amino acid / humectant
Ingredient
Glycereth-26
Humectant/emollient
Ingredient
Glycerin
Humectant
Ingredient
Glycerin (Hydration/Skin Replenishing)
Humectant
Ingredient
Glycerin (Vegetable Derived)
Humectant
Ingredient
Glycerin Salicylic Acid
Humectant + keratolytic exfoliant
Ingredient
Glycerine
Humectant
Ingredient
Glycerol
Humectant
Ingredient
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
Film-former / humectant
Ingredient
Glyceryl Glucoside
Humectant / moisturizer
Ingredient
Glyceryl Polymethacrylate
Film former / humectant
Ingredient
Glycine
Amino acid / humectant
Ingredient
Glycol
Humectant/solvent
Ingredient
glycoprotein
Conditioning/humectant agent
Ingredient
Glycoproteins
Skin-conditioning / humectant
Ingredient
Glycosyl Trehalose
Humectant / moisturizer
Ingredient
Glycérol
Humectant / moisturizer
Ingredient
Hexanediol
Solvent/humectant & preservative booster
Ingredient
Hexylene Glycol
Solvent / humectant
Ingredient
Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract
Skin-conditioning / humectant
Ingredient
Honey
Humectant / antimicrobial
Ingredient
Honey Extract
Humectant/Soothing
Ingredient
Honey/Mel/Miel
Humectant / Soothing / Antimicrobial
Ingredient
hyalugen
Hydrating active / humectant
Ingredient
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant / hydrating agent
Ingredient
Hyaluronic Acid 1%
Humectant / hydrating agent
Ingredient
Hyaluronic Acid Crosspolymer
Humectant / hydrating agent
Ingredient
Hyaluronic Acid for hydration
Humectant / hydrator
Ingredient
Hyaluronic Acid(50Ppm)
Humectant/hydrator
Ingredient
Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
Humectant
Ingredient
Hydrolysed Collagen
Humectant / film-forming moisturiser
Ingredient
Hydrolysed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant / skin-conditioning agent
Ingredient
Hydrolysed Wheat Protein
Conditioning/film-forming humectant
Ingredient
Hydrolyzed Algin
Humectant/film-former
Ingredient
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Humectant / skin-conditioning agent
Ingredient
Hydrolyzed Corn Starch
Humectant / skin-conditioning agent
Ingredient
Hydrolyzed Elastin
Conditioning agent / humectant
Ingredient
Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
Humectant / skin-conditioning agent
Ingredient
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant / moisturizer
Ingredient
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid (100Pp)
Humectant / skin-conditioning agent
Ingredient
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid(50Ppm)
Humectant / moisturizer
Ingredient
Hydrolyzed Malt Extract
Skin-conditioning agent / humectant
Ingredient
Hydrolyzed Rice Extract
Skin conditioning/humectant
Ingredient
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant / hydrating agent
Ingredient
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Conditioning agent / humectant
Ingredient
Hydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant / moisturizer
Ingredient
Hydroxyproline
Collagen-supporting amino acid / humectant
Ingredient
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Humectant / conditioning agent
Ingredient
Imidazolidinyl Urea
Preservative
Ingredient
improves hydration
Humectant / hydrating agent
Ingredient
improving moisture retention
Humectant / moisturizing agent
Ingredient
including Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant / hydrator
Ingredient
Inositol
Humectant / conditioning agent
Ingredient
Isoleucine
Conditioning amino acid / humectant
Ingredient
Isopentyldiol
Humectant / solvent
Ingredient
Kefiran
Polysaccharide humectant/film-former
Ingredient
L-Alanine
Humectant / amino acid
Ingredient
L-Arginine
Amino acid / pH adjuster & humectant
Ingredient
L-lactic acid
Alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) exfoliant/humectant
Ingredient
L-Threonine
Conditioning amino acid / humectant
Ingredient
Lactic Acid & Potassium Lactate
AHA exfoliant & humectant
Ingredient
Lactic Acid (Naturally Derived Aha)
AHA exfoliant / humectant
Ingredient
Lactobacillus/Pear Juice Ferment Filtrate
Skin conditioning / fermented humectant
Ingredient
Lactobacillus/Rice Ferment
Probiotic ferment / skin-conditioning humectant
Ingredient
Lactobionic Acid
Polyhydroxy acid (PHA) exfoliant/humectant
Ingredient
Lactobionic Acid (100Ppm)
Polyhydroxy acid (PHA) exfoliant/antioxidant humectant
Ingredient
Lactose
Humectant/moisturizing agent
Ingredient
Laminaria Japonica Extract
Antioxidant/humectant (marine botanical)
Ingredient
Lauramidopropyl Betaine
Amphoteric surfactant / co-surfactant
Ingredient
Lavender Hydrosol
Soothing floral water/humectant
Ingredient
Leaf Juice
Soothing/humectant base
Ingredient
Leptospermum Scoparium Mel
Humectant / antimicrobial (Manuka honey)
Ingredient
like hyaluronic acid
Humectant / hydrator
Ingredient
like Urea
Humectant / keratolytic
Ingredient
Malt Juice
Humectant / skin conditioning agent
Ingredient
Maltitol
Humectant / moisturizing agent
Ingredient
Maltooligosyl Glucoside
Humectant / film-former
Ingredient
Maltose
Humectant / skin-conditioning agent
Ingredient
Mannitol
Humectant/antioxidant
Ingredient
Marine Water
Mineral-rich humectant/skin-conditioning agent
Ingredient
Maris Aqua (Dead Sea Water)
Mineral-rich humectant / skin-conditioning agent
Ingredient
Maris Sal
Mineral salt / humectant & exfoliant
Ingredient
Matcha Tea Water
Antioxidant / soothing humectant
Ingredient
Matrixyl 3000 - 3% (Glycerin
Anti-aging peptide complex
Ingredient
Mel
Humectant/soothing agent
Ingredient
Mel (Honey
Humectant / emollient / antimicrobial
Ingredient
Mel Extract
Humectant/Soothing agent
Ingredient
Melon Extract
Antioxidant/humectant
Ingredient
Menthoxypropanediol
Cooling agent
Ingredient
Methyl Gluceth-20
Humectant/moisturizer
Ingredient
Methylpropanediol
Humectant/solvent
Ingredient
Microcitrus Australasica Fruit Extract Betaine
Exfoliant/antioxidant (humectant blend)
Ingredient
Miel)
Humectant/emollient (honey)
Ingredient
Moisturizing
Moisturizer / humectant-emollient
Ingredient
Myrothamnus Flabellifolia Leaf Extract
Antioxidant / humectant (resurrection plant extract)
Ingredient
Natto Gum
Humectant/film-former
Ingredient
Natural Betaine
Humectant/osmolyte
Ingredient
Natural Honey
Humectant / antimicrobial
Ingredient
Niacinamide & Hyaluronic Acid
Hydrator & barrier-support active
Ingredient
Oat Amino Acids
Humectant / conditioning agent
Ingredient
Oat milk extract
Soothing emollient/humectant
Ingredient
Oleamidopropyl Betaine
Surfactant / cleansing agent
Ingredient
Oligo Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant / hydrating agent
Ingredient
Opuntia Ficus (Prickly Pear) Extract
Antioxidant/soothing humectant
Ingredient
Opuntia Ficus Extract
Antioxidant / humectant
Ingredient
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Extract
Antioxidant/humectant
Ingredient
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Humectant/soothing extract
Ingredient
Opuntia Streptacantha Stem Extract
Humectant/antioxidant skin conditioner
Ingredient
Opuntia Tuna Extract
Antioxidant/Humectant
Ingredient
Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Water
Skin-conditioning / humectant
Ingredient
Oryza Sativa Bran Water
Skin conditioning / humectant
Ingredient
Oryza Sativa Seed Water
Skin conditioning / humectant
Ingredient
Oryza Sativa Water
Skin conditioning / humectant
Ingredient
Panthenol
Humectant / skin-conditioning agent
Ingredient
Panthenol (Pro-vitamin B5)
Humectant / skin conditioning agent
Ingredient
PANTHENOL (VITAMIN B5)
Humectant / skin conditioner
Ingredient
Panthenol And Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant / skin-conditioning hydrator
Ingredient
Pantolactone
Humectant / conditioning agent
Ingredient
Pantothenic Acid
Humectant / skin conditioning agent
Ingredient
PCA
Humectant / NMF component
Ingredient
Peg-32
Humectant/emollient
Ingredient
PEG-4
Humectant/solvent
Ingredient
Peg-75
Emollient/humectant
Ingredient
PEG-8
Humectant / solvent
Ingredient
Peg/Ppg-14/7 Dimethyl Ether
Solvent / humectant
Ingredient
PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer
Humectant/solvent
Ingredient
Pentavitin
Humectant / skin moisturizer
Ingredient
Pentylene Glycol
Humectant / solvent / preservative-booster
Ingredient
Phenoxyethanol & Ethylhexylglycerin
Preservative system
Ingredient
Phenoxyethanol (And) Ethylhexylglycerin
Preservative
Ingredient
Phyllostachys Nigra Leaf Extract
Antioxidant / soothing humectant
Ingredient
Polydextrose
Humectant / skin-conditioning agent
Ingredient
Polyethylene Glycol
Humectant/emollient & solvent
Ingredient
Polyglucuronic Acid
Humectant / hydrating agent
Ingredient
Polyglutamic Acid
Humectant
Ingredient
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant / solvent
Ingredient
Polyglycerin-6
Humectant / emollient
Ingredient
Polyhydroxy Acid
Chemical exfoliant / humectant
Ingredient
Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice
Humectant / skin-conditioning agent

Showing 250 of 331.

Frequently asked

What are humectants?
Water-binding humectants that draw and hold moisture in the skin.
Are these the only ones?
No — this lists the ones in our Indian skincare reference that match. Use the ingredient checker to identify any others in a product.

General educational information for Indian skin, compiled from published dermatology literature and structured ingredient data. Not medical advice or a diagnosis.