INCORPORATION AND EVALUATION OF MANNITOL AS HUMECTANT IN GEL PREPARATIONS

Abstract

Humectant is defined as a substance that absorbs or helps another substance to retain moisture. It is often a molecule with several hydrophilic groups most often hydroxyl groups, but sometimes amines and carboxyl groups encountered as well the affinity to form hydrogen bonds with molecules of water. Humectants also elevate the hydration of the skin to minimize the dehydrating effect. Although humectants have applications in many industries like pharmaceutical, food, veterinary etc. but the focus here is on humectants in skin care cosmetics. The use of moisturizers is the mainstay of treatment for preventing the dryness of the skin and also for daily maintenance of normal skin. All moisturizer products contain a careful balance of humectants as ingredient to restore just the correct amount of hydration back to the body. Considering protection and maintenance of healthy skin, cosmetics are becoming more important in daily routine of life. They are used regularly by increasing number of people and very large quantities are consumed each year. So this gives a motivation to explore such ingredients for the products which will fulfill maximum expectations of consumers with safety. The present article main aim is to identify study and select such chemicals which works as a better humectant than commonly used humectant like glycerin. Also decide the concentration of the ingredient at which it shows its best efficiency of being humectant and have benefits over the common ingredients.