fuktighetsgivere

Fuktighetsgivere, or humectants, are substances that attract and retain moisture. They are used in cosmetics, foods, pharmaceuticals, and building materials to maintain hydration, texture, and stability. The basic principle is hygroscopicity: these compounds draw water from the surrounding air or from underlying tissues and hold it within a product or surface.

In skin care and personal care products, humectants help prevent dryness by keeping surfaces hydrated. In foods, they retain moisture to improve softness and extend shelf life. In topical medicines, they improve the smoothness and application properties. In construction, moisture-retaining additives help regulate humidity during curing or in damp environments.

Common examples include glycerin (glycerol), propylene glycol, sorbitol, urea, and hyaluronic acid. Other sugar- and polyol-based compounds such as trehalose and xylitol are used as humectants in specialty products. The performance of humectants depends on ambient humidity and the presence of other formulation components; often they are paired with occlusives to reduce water loss in dry climates.

Safety and regulation: humectants used in foods are generally recognized as safe within specified limits; in cosmetics they are subject to cosmetic ingredient regulations and safety testing. Some humectants, notably propylene glycol, can irritate sensitive individuals or absorb moisture excessively if used alone in very dry environments. As with all additives, usage should follow recommended concentrations.