This is an older post that relates to a later post about glycerin.
from wikipedia:
A humectant is a substance that is used to keep things moist. It is the opposite of a desiccant, whose purpose is to keep things dry.
A humectant attracts and retains the moisture in the air by absorption, allowing the water to be used by other substances or by plants. It differs from a desiccant which also attracts moisture but adsorbs it instead of absorbing it i.e. condenses the water onto the surface as a layer of film.
When used as a food additive, the humectant has the effect of keeping the foodstuff moist. Humectants are sometimes used as a component of antistatic coatings for plastics. Humectants are also found in many cosmetic products where moisturization is desired, including treatments such as moisturizing hair conditioners and also commonly used in body lotions.
Examples of humectants include:
propylene glycol (E1520) as well as hexylene glycol and butylene glycol
glyceryl triacetate (E1518)
vinyl alcohol
neoagarobiose
sugar polyols such as glycerol, sorbitol (E420), xylitol and maltitol (E965)
polymeric polyols like polydextrose (E1200)
quillaia (E999)
lactic acid
urea
glycerin
aloe vera gel
MP Diol
alpha hydroxy acids
honey
Remember how I hinted at adsorption and absorption before? I will address everything in part three, I promise!
