Humectants are essential cosmetic ingredients which are hygroscopic in nature and absorb moisture from the air. Humectants form hydrogen bonds with water molecules and help to retain the natural moisture of the skin. Basically, humectants are molecules with one or more hydrophilic groups attached to them. These hydrophilic groups can be either amines, like urea or amino acids, carboxyl groups such as fatty acids and alpha hydroxy acids, or hydroxyl groups such as glycerin, sorbitol and butylene or other glycols.