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35-405: In most cases, dry skin can safely be treated with moisturizers (also called emollients). Xeroderma occurs most commonly on the scalp , lower legs , arms , hands, knuckles , the sides of the abdomen , and thighs . Symptoms most associated with xeroderma are such skin conditions as scaling (the visible peeling of the outer skin layer), itching , and skin fissures (cracked skin). Xeroderma

70-537: A food additive , a humectant has the effect of keeping moisture in the food. Humectants are sometimes used as a component of antistatic coatings for plastics . A humectant attracts and retains the moisture in the air nearby via absorption, drawing the water vapor into or beneath the organism's or object's surface. This is the opposite use of a hygroscopic material where it is used as a desiccant used to draw moisture away. In pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, humectants can be used in topical dosage forms to increase

105-400: A 100% pure glycerol. Humectants are used in stabilization of food products and lengthening shelf life through food and moisture control. The available moisture determines microbial activity, physical properties, sensory properties and the rate of chemical changes, that if not controlled, are the cause of reduced shelf life. Examples are dry cereal with semi-moist raisins , ice cream in

140-465: A cone, chocolate , hard candy with liquid centers and cheese . Humectants are used to stabilize the moisture content of foodstuffs and are incorporated as food additives. Humectants are also used in military technology for the use of MREs and other military rations. A number of food items always need to be moist. The use of humectants reduces the available water, thus reducing bacterial activity. They are used for safety issues, for quality, and to have

175-408: A humectant in cosmetics. Humectants have been added to skin moisturizing products to treat xerosis . Some moisturizers tend to weaken the skin barrier function, but studies on xerosis have proven that moisturizers containing humectants increase desired moisturizing effects on the affected area without damage to the skin barrier function. In this xerosis treatments study, some "smarting and stinging"

210-507: A longer shelf-life in food products. An example of where humectants are used to keep food moist is in products like toothpaste as well as certain kinds of cookies . Regional kinds of cookies often use humectants as a binding agent in order to keep moisture locked into the center of the cookie rather than have it evaporate out. Humectants are favored in food products because of their ability to keep consumable goods moist and increase shelf-life. Humectants are frequently used in cosmetics as

245-430: A preventive measure, such products may be rubbed onto the affected area as needed (often every other day) to prevent dry skin. The skin is then patted dry to prevent the removal of natural lipids from the skin. Taking a shower or washing hands with special moisturizing soaps or body washes can protect the skin from drying out further. Repeated application (typically over a few days) of emollients or skin lotions/creams to

280-404: A serious fire hazard. Between 2010 and 2018, paraffin was linked to 50 fire incidents (49 of which were fatal) in the U.K. A West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service study found that clothing contaminated with cream containing only 21% paraffin, when set alight, was fully engulfed in flame in 3 seconds. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) released a warning in 2008 about

315-505: A warning in 2014 that natural lotion containing ingredients commonly found in food (such as goats milk, cow's milk, coconut milk, or oil) may introduce new allergies, potentially causing an allergic reaction upon later consuming such foods. A paper published in 2021 noted that frequent skin moisturization in early life might promote the development of food allergy, even when skin conditions such as eczema are taken into account. Paraffin-based skincare products and contaminated clothing can pose

350-484: A way of increasing and maintaining moisture in the skin and hair, in products including shampoo, conditioner, frizz serum, lotions, creams, lip treatments, cleansers, after-sun lotion, and some soaps or body lotions. As hygroscopic moisturizers, humectants work by attracting water to the upper layer of the skin (stratum corneum). All humectants have common hydroxyl groups which allow them to participate in hydrogen bonding and attract water. This process attracts moisture from

385-735: Is a very common condition. It happens more often in the winter when the cold air outside and the hot air inside create a low relative humidity . This causes the skin to lose moisture and it may crack and peel. Bathing or hand washing too frequently, especially if one is using harsh soaps , can contribute to xeroderma. Xeroderma can be caused by a deficiency of vitamin A , vitamin D , zinc , systemic illness , severe sunburn , or some medication . Xeroderma can be caused by choline inhibitors . Detergents such as washing powder and dishwashing liquid can cause xeroderma. Today, many creams and lotions, commonly based on vegetable oils/butters, petroleum oils/jellies, and lanolin are widely available. As

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420-501: Is derived from the Latin verb mollire , to soften. In the human body, water constantly evaporates from the deeper layers of the skin through an effect known as transepidermal water loss . By regulating its water content, human skin naturally maintains a dry, easily shed surface as a barrier against pathogens, dirt, or damage, while protecting itself from drying out and becoming brittle and rigid. The ability to retain moisture depends on

455-768: Is often a molecule with several hydrophilic groups, most often hydroxyl groups ; however, amines and carboxyl groups , sometimes esterified , can be encountered as well (its affinity to form hydrogen bonds with molecules of water is the crucial trait). Examples of some humectants include: A humectant is a substance that is used to keep products moisturized and affects the preservation of items, which can be used in cosmetic products, food and tobacco. A humectant-rich formulation contains simple alcoholic sugar that can increase skin hydration and helps to remove and reduce thickness of skin. Some common humectants used in food are honey and glucose syrup both for their water absorption and sweet flavor. Glucose syrup also helps to retain

490-407: Is one of the most popular humectants used because it produces the desired result fairly frequently and is low in cost. A category of humectants called nanolipidgels allow skin to retain moisture, but also possess antifungal properties. Scientists are also working to discover different types of humectants; a study published in 2011 concluded that extracts from wine cakes have the potential to be used as

525-479: The lipid bilayer between the dead skin cells . Moisturizers modify the rate of water loss, with active ingredients of moisturizers falling into one of two categories: occlusives and humectants . Occlusives form a hydrophobic coating on the surface of the skin, keeping moisture from escaping. The more occlusive the formulation, the greater the effect. Ointments are more occlusive than aqueous creams , which are more occlusive than lotion . Water loss through

560-460: The affected area will likely result in quick alleviation of xeroderma. In particular, the application of highly occlusive barriers to moisture, such as petrolatum , vegetable oils/butters, and mineral oil have been shown to provide excellent results. Many individuals find specific commercial skin creams and lotions (often comprising oils, butters, and or waxes emulsified in water) quite effective (although individual preferences and results vary among

595-461: The body). As a result, many formulated lanolin products, having a softer consistency than pure lanolin, are available. Many skin creams include common allergens such as fragrances, parabens , and lanolin. Moisturizer A moisturizer , or emollient , is a cosmetic preparation used for protecting, moisturizing, and lubricating the skin . These functions are normally performed by sebum produced by healthy skin. The word "emollient"

630-418: The creation of cigarettes. In an examination of waterpipe smoking, researchers worked to identify substances such as formaldehyde , acetaldehyde , and acrolein in the smoke of a waterpipe, discovering that the value of formaldehyde detected in one smoking session was five times higher than that of a regular cigarette. This data demonstrated that increasing amounts of humectants in the unburned tobacco lowered

665-1364: The dermis into the epidermis, making deeper skin dryer. When used in practical applications, humectants are combined with occlusives. Moisturizers commonly contain water, which acts as a temporary hydration agent. There are many different types of moisturizers. Petrolatum is one of the most effective moisturizers, although it can be unpopular due to its oily consistency. Other popular moisturizers are cetyl alcohol , cetearyl alcohol , cocoa butter , isopropyl myristate , isopropyl palmitate , lanolin , liquid paraffin , polyethylene glycols , shea butter , silicone oils , stearic acid , stearyl alcohol and castor oil , and other oils. Moisturizers may also be available as lotions , creams , ointments , bath oils , or soap substitutes . Mineral oils and waxes are not prone to oxidation or rancidity . For this reason, they have essentially replaced vegetable oils in emollients and topical medication. Moisturizer cosmetics may additionally contain antioxidants , ceramides , emulsifiers , fragrances , penetration enhancers , preservatives , and solvents . Some products are marketed as having anti-wrinkle and skin enhancement effects. Many plant and animal extracts have been claimed to impart skin benefits, but such claims are presented with little scientific evidence. Moisturizers are used for

700-423: The first year of life does not help to prevent the development of atopic dermatitis, and might even increase the risk of skin infections. Persistent moisturization to the skin via water contact may contribute to an allergic reaction or contact dermatitis. This could allow foreign objects to penetrate the skin. Changes in the skin's normal ecological environment–either atop or within the skin–can also allow for

735-568: The flammability of paraffin-based products. MHRA recommends that regular paraffin users change their sheets regularly, refrain from smoking and/or bringing open flames near paraffin-coated people or objects. MHRA also recommends that skin creams containing any paraffin have a flammability warning on the packaging. Humectant A humectant / h juː ˈ m ɛ k t ən t / is a hygroscopic (water-absorbing) substance used to keep things moist. They are used in many products, including food, cosmetics, medicines and pesticides. When used as

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770-548: The humectants burn, they release chemicals such as acrolein. Humectants are found in most cigarettes and are considered one of the most dangerous chemicals found in tobacco. However, there have been conflicting claims about the degree to which these products warrant a health concern. In a literary study of e-cigarette health risks, 388 different symptoms were reported; mouth and throat concerns generated more negative symptoms than any other group. There are not enough studies or sufficient evidence to suggest that products, particularly

805-413: The majority of leave-on treatments (from least to most greasy) are one of the following: lotions, creams, gels, or ointments. As none of the different types of moisturizers are more effective than the others, people with atopic dermatitis need to choose one or more products according to their age, affected body site, climate/season, and personal preference. However using moisturizers daily in infants during

840-581: The outer layer of the skin or, in high humidity, from the atmosphere. The moisture is then trapped against the epidermis or the shaft of the hair, depending on where the humectant is applied. Various humectants have different ways of behaving because they differ in water binding capacity at different humidities. Humectants used in cosmetics include triethylene glycol , tripropylene glycol , propylene glycol , and PPGs . Other popular humectants in cosmetics include glycerin , sorbitol (sugar alcohol), hexylene and butylene glycol, urea, and collagen. Glycerin

875-565: The overgrowth of pathogens. Aromas or food additives in moisturizers may trigger an immune reaction, including development of an allergy. There is currently no regulation over use of the term "hypoallergenic". In fact, some pediatric skin products marketed as hypoallergenic contained allergens. Those with eczema are especially vulnerable to allergic reaction with lotions and creams, as their compromised skin barrier allows preservatives to bind with and activate immune cells. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology released

910-438: The process is also coupled with a sweetness test and a crystallization test. When humectancy is being assessed in different products, testers will compare the results to other humectants that are already used in those products, in order to evaluate efficiency. Some of these humectants are seen in non-ionic polyols like sucrose , glycerin or glycerol and its triester ( triacetin ). These humectant food additives are used for

945-431: The product drying out and cracking in the tube. Sorbitol is commonly used as this also contributes a sweet flavour to the toothpaste without contributing to tooth decay. Humectants are used in the manufacturing of some tobacco products, such as cigarettes , e-cigarettes , and self-rolled tobacco. They are used to control and maintain the moisture content of the cut tobacco filler and add flavor. Humectants are vital to

980-536: The purpose of controlling viscosity and texture. Humectants also add bulk, retain moisture, reduce water activity, and improve softness. A main advantage of humectant food additives is that, since they are non-ionic, they are not expected to influence any variation of the pH aqueous systems. Glycerol or glycerin humectants undergo a pretreatment process using saponification , bleaching, ion exchange exclusion, both cationic and ionic ion exchanges, vacuum flash evaporation, thin film distillation, and heating to produce

1015-438: The shape of the product better than other alternatives, for a longer period of time. In addition, some humectants are recognized in different countries as good food additives because of the increase in nutritional value that they provide, such as sodium hexametaphosphate . In order to gauge a compound's humectancy, scientists will put it through a series of tests, often involving water absorption. In tests involving toothpaste,

1050-400: The skin is normally about 4–8 g/(m ⋅h). A layer of petrolatum applied to normal skin can reduce that loss by 50–75% for several hours. Oils naturally produced by the human body moisturize through this same mechanism. Humectants are hydrophilic and absorb water. They absorb water from humid air (when >70% humidity) to moisturize the skin. More commonly, however, they draw out water from

1085-532: The solubility of a chemical compound's active ingredients , increasing the active ingredients' ability to penetrate skin, or its activity time. This hydrating property can also be needed to counteract a dehydrating active ingredient (e.g., soaps , corticoids , and some alcohols ), which is why humectants are common ingredients in a wide range of cosmetic and personal care products that make moisturization claims (e.g., hair conditioners , body lotions , face or body cleansers, lip balms , and eye creams). A humectant

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1120-569: The temperature in the waterpipe head during smoking, so that considerable amounts of toxic substances were present. Further, e-cigarettes produce aerosol by heating a humectant containing nicotine without burning tobacco. Those "vaping" then inhale the aerosol and receive nicotine. The main health concern regarding e-cigarettes is that their production is not regulated, and there is immense uncertainty of quality control during manufacturing. Self-rolled tobacco contains more humectants, which are added to tobacco to improve taste and keep from drying out. As

1155-902: The treatment of certain skin diseases, such as psoriasis , ichthyosis vulgaris , xerosis , and pruritus in atopic dermatitis . More often, they are bases or vehicles for topical medication , such as in Whitfield's ointment . They are often combined with humectants, such as salicylic acid and urea . Moisturizers are also widely used in sunscreens , antiperspirants , skin cleansers , shaving creams , aftershaves , and hair tonics . Moisturizers are used in disposable diapers to prevent dry skin and diaper dermatitis . Moisturizers show some beneficial effects in treating atopic dermatitis (eczema). Using moisturizers helps to improve skin comfort and may reduce disease flares. They can be used as leave-on treatments, bath additives, or soap substitutes . There are many different moisturizer products, but

1190-543: The wide array of commercially available creams). Lanolin , a natural mixture of lipids derived from sheep's wool, helps replace natural lipids in human skin and has been used since ancient times (and in modern medicine) as among the most powerful treatments for xeroderma. Some people may, however, have allergies to lanolin, producing the opposite of the desired effect. Also, pure lanolin is a thick waxy substance which, for many individuals, proves difficult and inconvenient for general use on dry skin (especially over large areas of

1225-535: Was also reported from the use of humectant-rich treatment products. When the humectant glycerol was added to soaps for the cleansing of wounds, similar effects were found. There was an increase in moisture in the areas that the soap was applied, however, "further consideration of conditioning the use of glycerol to improve the absorption of exudates from wounds for an advanced wound healing is needed." The healing properties of humectants are therefore uncertain. Humectants are also added to toothpaste (dentifrice) to stop

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