humectant
adjective
[ hjʊˈmɛkt(ə)nt ]
• retaining or preserving moisture.
humectant
noun
• a substance, especially a skin lotion or a food additive, used to reduce the loss of moisture.
Origin:
early 19th century (denoting a moistening agent): from Latin humectant- ‘moistening’, from the verb humectare, from humectus ‘moist, wet’, from humere ‘be moist’.
