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CosIng Definition: Increasing the water content of the skin and keeping it soft and smooth.

Moisturising agents are ingredients that help increase and maintain the skin’s hydration, leading to a softer, smoother, and more supple appearance. They work through various mechanisms, including attracting water (humectants), creating a protective barrier to prevent water loss (occlusives), or replenishing skin lipids (emollients). In CosIng, moisturising is classified separately from humectant and emollient actions. While humectants attract water and emollients soften the skin surface, moisturising refers specifically to ingredients that achieve both increased skin hydration and improved skin texture as a combined cosmetic effect.