humectant

noun

hu·​mec·​tant hyü-ˈmek-tənt 

: a substance that promotes retention of moisture

humectant adjective

Examples of humectant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This hybrid shower oil builds into a gentle lather, smoothes and softens skin with squalane, and is made of 50% glycerin, a humectant that helps draw water into the skin. —Deanna Pai, Allure, 13 Dec. 2024

Her advice is to use gentle cleansers and moisturizers that contain humectants — ingredients that attract moisture into the skin. —Varsha Patel, refinery29.com, 29 Dec. 2024

This drugstore darling is a versatile medicine cabinet staple for its mix of petroleum jelly, mineral oil, glycerin, and lanolin that acts as an all-in-one humectant, emollient, and occlusive to ensure your skin stays soft and plump. —Angela Trakoshis, Allure, 6 Dec. 2024

This moisturizer is fragrance-free and contains plenty of humectants and water-binding ingredients. —Nora Colomer, Fox News, 27 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin humectant-, humectans, present participle of humectare to moisten, from humectus moist, from humēre to be moist — more at humor entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1867, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

humectant

1 of 2 adjective

hu·​mec·​tant hyü-ˈmek-tənt 

: promoting the retention of moisture

humectant properties

humectant materials

humectant

2 of 2 noun

: a substance (as glycerol or sorbitol) that promotes retention of moisture