Understanding Moisturizer Ingredients

Humectants attract water from the dermis into the epidermis,increasing the water content in the epidermis. When humidity is higher than 70 percent, humectants can also attract water from the atmosphere into the epidermis. Humectants can be thought of as the cosmetic equivalents of Natural Moisutrizing Factor (NMF). The terms in bold are the most commonly used humectants, and the starred ingredients are the most effective. Recent studies have shown that glycerin helps degrade the corneodesmosomes that hold skin cells together. The end effect of this degradation is more consistent desquamation (shedding of the outer layer of skin) and ultimately smoother-looking skin.