HUMECTANT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does humectant mean? 

• HUMECTANT (noun)
  The noun HUMECTANT has 1 sense:

1. any substance that is added to another substance to keep it moist

  Familiarity information: HUMECTANT used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• HUMECTANT (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Any substance that is added to another substance to keep it moist

Classified under:

Nouns denoting substances

Hypernyms ("humectant" is a kind of...):

substance (a particular kind or species of matter with uniform properties)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "humectant"):

propanediol; propylene glycol (a sweet colorless, viscous, hygroscopic liquid used as an antifreeze and in brake fluid and also as a humectant in cosmetics and personal care items although it can be absorbed through the skin with harmful effects)

 Context examples 

Any of the commercial combination preparations, by Pfizer, containing humectants, emollients and emulsifiers with moisturizing activity.

(Lubriderm, NCI Thesaurus)

In addition, glycerin is used as a solvent, humectant and vehicle in various pharmaceutical preparations.

(Glycerin, NCI Thesaurus)

An organic salt of ammonium (lactic acid neutralized with ammonium hydroxide), topical moisturizing Ammonium Lactate can be applied as a humectant in ichthyosis vulgaris and xerosis.

(Ammonium Lactate, NCI Thesaurus)