What humectants do
Humectants are molecules that attract water. Applied to skin, they draw moisture from the deeper layers — and, in humid air, from the atmosphere — into the stratum corneum, the uppermost layer where dryness shows first.
The common ones
- Glycerin — the benchmark humectant, effective at low concentrations and tolerated by nearly everyone
- Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) — humectant plus barrier-supporting properties
- Hyaluronic acid — a large molecule that holds water on the surface; different molecular weights sit at slightly different depths
- Urea and amino acids — part of the skin's own natural moisturizing factor
How to use them
Humectants work best in pairs with something that seals — a cream or balm layer on top keeps the attracted water from evaporating again. In very dry climates, a humectant alone can feel like it makes tightness worse, not better.
Coyglow note: every Coyglow hydrating formula pairs at least two humectants of different molecular weight with ceramides, so water is both drawn in and kept in.