Absorbing and Retaining the Moisture via Humectant System

Abstract

This study had been undertaken to evaluate water-retaining activity of different humectant systems. Six humectants including sodium hyaluronate (HA), glycerol (G), propylene glycol (PG), urea, hydrogel (HG), PEG-400, were examined their water-retaining activity and physical effects on pig skin, and those on human skin. As a single humectant, 1.50% HA showed the best performance. For 2-humectant-based and 3-humectant-based combinations, 1.50%HA-2.00%HG, and 1.5%HA-2.0%HG-6.50%G, were the outstanding formulations. Application of 1.5%HA-2.0%HG -6.50%G onto pig skin did exhibit an impressive result which moisture was maintained on pigskin over 24 h., while the rest of the samples dried up. In addition, 1.5%HA-2.0%HG-6.50%G was examined on human skin of 3 subjects and provided the most agreeable comment, giving smoothness and moisture to the skin without any adverse effect. The outcome was indicative that the humectant formula with the HA-HG-G based combination showed positive water-retaining activity, which can become a promising formulation useful in other applications such as medicine, dermatology and cosmetics.