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Last Updated on January 14, 2026 by Giorgia Guazzarotti

humectants in skincare: what they are and how they benefit skin

Humectant is one of those fancy words us science beauty bloggers like to throw around to prove we know our stuff. But everyone else is probably scratching their heads, wondering what the heck we’re talking about. What are humectants? What do they do for your skin? Why are they in pretty much every skincare product at Sephora? Let’s find out:

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What The Heck Are Humectants?

Humectants are a group of substances called hygroscopic (more science jargon Gio? Weren’t you supposed to explain this in English?) Hygroscopic means that it attracts water from the air into the skin.  Who can do it? Here are the most common humectants found in skincare:

  • Aloe vera
  • Butylene glycol
  • Glycerin
  • Honey
  • Hyaluronic acid
  • Lactic acid
  • Propylene glycol
  • Sodium hyaluronate
  • Sorbitol
  • Urea

How Do Humectants Benefit Skin?

Humectants attract and bind water to the skin. But, where do they get this water from? Two places:

  • From the environment (when there’s enough moisture in the air)
  • From the deeper layers of the skin (where the air lacks moisture)

This makes humectants both good and bad guys in skincare. Huh?

niod multi-molecular hyaluronic complex

Why Are Humectants Good For Skin?

When humectants draw water from the air, everyone’s happy. Your skin is inundated by a wave of water that increases its moisture levels. More moisture = smoother, plumper, brighter skin. Humectants are a great way to keep oily skin hydrated without adding more oil to it. They’re also great at amping up moisture in dry skin.

But, here’s the catch: if you have dry skin, you can’t just put moisture back in it. You also have to seal it with an oil. That’s why you should use either a humectant serum followed by a facial oil or a moisturiser with both humectants and oils (here are my fave picks for you).

Related: Dry Skin? Here’s What Your Moisturiser Should Contain

Are Humectants Drying For Skin?

When there isn’t that much moisture in the air, humectants steal water from the deeper layers of the skin.  This isn’t as bad as you think. Roughly 60% of your skin is made up of water. Humectants are just redistributing it around. The problems start when there’s so little humidity in the air. Then, humectants must steal everything from the deeper layers of your skin. If they do this too much, too often, they can dry out your skin. (P.S. High concentrations of humectants do the same thing. Use them in moderation.)

PRO TIP: Humectants benefit all skin types, but dry skin needs them the most. Click on the image below to subscribe to my newsletter and get the “Dry Skin Routine” Cheat Sheet to learn how to add them into your skincare routine the right way:”

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What Are The Best Serums And Moisturizers With Humectants?

All my fave serums and moisturisers with humectants have one thing in common: they feature hyaluronic acid (or its close cousin, sodium hyaluronate). I love hyaluronic acid because it can attract and bind to the skin up to 1000 times its weight in water. It doesn’t get more hydrating than this.

Here are my picks:

  • Niod Multi-Molecular Hyaluronic Acid (£30.00): The most hydrating and plumping serum I’ve tried, it has 13+ forms of Hyaluronic Acid to hydrate every layer of skin. Available at Beauty Bay, Cult Beauty, and Niod
  • Paula’s Choice Resist Hyaluronic Acid Booster ($39.00): A hyaluronic acid serum with ceramides to strengthen the skin’s protective barrier and heal dry skin. Available at Cult Beauty, Dermstore, Paula’s Choice, SpaceNK.
  • The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (£7.90): A simple formula with Vitamin B5 to soothe and hydrate skin. It’s fragrant-free and suitable for sensitive skin too. Available at Beauty Bay, Boots, Cult Beauty, Sephora, SpaceNK, The Ordinary, and Ulta.

FAQs

Wait, so should I just not use humectants in winter then?

No no no, don’t freak out. You can totally use them in winter or dry climates. Just don’t slap on like 5 layers of hyaluronic acid and call it a day. Use your humectant serum, then immediately trap that moisture with something occlusive on top – like a good cream or oil. The key is layering properly, not avoiding them completely. Winter skin needs hydration too, you just gotta be smarter about sealing it in.

How do I know if there’s “enough humidity” in my environment?

Honestly? If you live somewhere where your hair goes frizzy, you’re probably fine. But like, actually – if the air is super dry (think desert, airplane, heavy indoor heating), that’s when you need to be careful. Most normal environments have enough moisture for humectants to work properly. It’s really only extreme dryness that’s the problem.

Do I need humectants if I have oily skin?

YES. Humectants are perfect for oily skin because they add water without adding more oil to the situation. Just skip the heavy creams after and use a lightweight gel moisturizer instead.

Why does my skin feel tight after using hyaluronic acid?

Because you’re probably using it wrong – either in a super dry environment without sealing it in, or you’re using too much. HA can backfire and pull water OUT of your skin if there’s nowhere else to get it from. Always layer something occlusive on top.

The Bottom Line

Humectants can be dry skin’s BFF or its worse enemy. Use them in moderation when there’s enough humidity in the air: they’ll keep your skin well-hydrated, softer and plumper. But in low humidity environment? Don’t go overboard.