The global Humectants Market Study analyzes and forecasts the market size across 6 regions and 24 countries for diverse segments -By Product (Sugar Alcohol, Alpha Hydroxy Acid, Glycols, Others), By Application (Food and Beverages, Oral and Personal Care, Pharmaceutical, Others).
Humectants are substances used in various industries such as cosmetics, food, and pharmaceuticals for their ability to attract and retain moisture, improving product texture, stability, and shelf life. One key trend shaping the future of humectants is the demand for natural and sustainable alternatives to synthetic humectants, driven by consumer preferences for clean-label products and environmental sustainability. Manufacturers are exploring plant-derived humectants such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and sorbitol, as well as bio-based ingredients like sugar alcohols and polysaccharides, to replace petroleum-derived humectants such as propylene glycol and butylene glycol. Additionally, advancements in extraction techniques, biotechnology, and fermentation processes are enabling the production of high-purity and eco-friendly humectants from renewable sources, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and minimizing environmental impact. Moreover, the integration of humectants into multifunctional formulations, such as moisturizers, emulsions, and serums, is enhancing product performance and consumer satisfaction, providing hydration, softness, and anti-aging benefits for skin and hair care products. As consumer awareness of ingredient safety and environmental impact grows, the humectants industry is poised for innovation and growth, with opportunities for collaboration, sustainability initiatives, and market expansion to meet the evolving needs of manufacturers, formulators, and end-users.
The market report analyses the leading companies in the industry including Archer Daniels Midland Company, Ashland Global Holdings Inc, Barentz, BASF SE, Brenntag AG, Cargill Inc, Dow Inc, E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Ingredion Inc, Roquette Frères.
A prominent trend in the market for Humectants is the rising demand for natural and sustainable ingredients in personal care products. With increasing consumer awareness about the potential health and environmental impacts of synthetic chemicals, there is a growing preference for natural and plant-derived ingredients in skincare, haircare, and cosmetic formulations. Humectants, such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and sorbitol, offer moisturizing properties that help maintain skin hydration and improve product efficacy. This is driven by consumer demand for clean beauty products, regulatory initiatives promoting ingredient transparency, and advancements in green chemistry and biotechnology that enable the development of sustainable humectants from renewable sources, leading to increased adoption of natural humectants in the personal care industry.
The market for Humectants is being driven by growing awareness of skin health and hydration among consumers, which fuels demand for skincare products containing moisturizing ingredients. As consumers become more conscious of the importance of hydration in maintaining healthy skin, there is a heightened interest in skincare formulations that provide long-lasting moisture retention and hydration benefits. Humectants play a crucial role in skincare products by attracting water molecules to the skin's surface and preventing moisture loss, thereby improving skin texture, elasticity, and overall hydration levels. Factors such as aging demographics, lifestyle changes, and environmental stressors drive investments in skincare solutions that address hydration concerns, fueling demand for humectant-based formulations and driving market growth in the personal care industry.
An exciting opportunity within the market for Humectants lies in the expansion into natural and clean label personal care products, where there is a growing demand for skincare formulations free from synthetic additives, fragrances, and preservatives. Companies can explore opportunities to provide natural humectants derived from botanical sources such as aloe vera, honey, and seaweed extracts, which offer moisturizing and soothing properties while meeting consumer preferences for clean and sustainable ingredients. Additionally, there is potential to develop specialized humectant formulations for niche skincare segments such as sensitive skin, baby care, and eco-conscious consumers, where gentle and hypoallergenic ingredients are needd. By leveraging their expertise in formulation chemistry, ingredient sourcing, and product development, companies can capitalize on the growing demand for natural and clean label personal care products and position themselves as leaders in providing innovative humectant-based solutions for skincare and beauty applications, driving growth and differentiation in the humectants market.
The humectants market operates through a structured Market Ecosystem comprising diverse key stages and participants. Initially, raw material suppliers play a crucial role, with chemical companies including Dow Chemical and BASF providing raw materials for certain humectant types, while natural ingredient suppliers including Ingredion and Archer Daniels Midland source and process natural raw materials including starches and corn syrups. Additionally, mining companies including Rio Tinto supply specific raw materials including borates for humectants including boric acid. Following raw material acquisition, humectant manufacturers including Evonik and Lubrizol undertake the processing of these materials through chemical synthesis or natural processing methods to produce various humectants.
Further, companies specialize in further modifying or purifying humectants to meet specific application requirements, as seen with Ashland Inc. and Solvay. The distribution phase sees the involvement of chemical distributors including Brenntag and Avantor, which distribute various chemicals and ingredients, including humectants, to industrial users. Additionally, food and beverage ingredient distributors including Ingram Foodservice and US Foods supply ingredients to food and beverage manufacturers.
Large humectant manufacturers opt for direct sales through dedicated teams for specific customer segments. Further, humectants serve diverse end-user industries, including cosmetics and personal care, where they are utilized in skincare and hair care products to retain moisture. Furthermore, the food and beverage industry incorporates humectants in various products to prevent drying out and maintain quality, while the pharmaceutical industry uses them in medications or formulations to prevent moisture loss. Additionally, the tobacco industry employs humectants to maintain moisture content and improve product consistency in certain tobacco products.
The largest segment in the Humectants Market is the Glycols product segment. This dominance is primarily due to diverse key factors. Glycols, such as propylene glycol and glycerin, are widely used humectants in various industries, including cosmetics, personal care, pharmaceuticals, and food and beverage. These versatile compounds exhibit excellent moisture-retaining properties, drawing water molecules from the environment and binding them to the skin or hair, thereby preventing dehydration and maintaining hydration levels. Additionally, glycols have a low molecular weight, allowing them to penetrate the skin or hair easily and provide long-lasting moisturization. In addition, glycols offer compatibility with a wide range of formulations, including lotions, creams, serums, shampoos, and conditioners, making them versatile ingredients in skincare, haircare, and cosmetic products. Further, glycols are relatively inexpensive and readily available, making them cost-effective options for manufacturers seeking effective humectants for their formulations. Overall, the Glycols product segment holds the largest share in the Humectants Market due to the widespread use of glycols in various industries, their superior moisture-retaining properties, versatility, and cost-effectiveness.
The fastest-growing segment in the Humectants Market is the Oral and Personal Care application segment. This growth is primarily due to diverse key factors. Firstly, there is increasing consumer demand for oral and personal care products formulated with ingredients that provide hydration and moisture retention properties. Humectants play a crucial role in oral and personal care formulations by attracting and retaining moisture, thereby preventing dryness, maintaining skin and hair hydration, and improving overall product performance. Additionally, the growing emphasis on skincare and haircare routines, along with the rise of beauty and grooming trends, drives the demand for innovative products with advanced hydration technologies. In addition, the expanding consumer base for oral and personal care products, including facial moisturizers, body lotions, lip balms, shampoos, and conditioners, further fuels the growth of the Oral and Personal Care application segment in the Humectants Market. Further, the increasing awareness of oral health and hygiene, coupled with the rising prevalence of dental conditions such as dry mouth and gingivitis, drives the demand for humectant-based oral care products, such as toothpaste, mouthwash, and oral moisturizers. Overall, the Oral and Personal Care application segment is experiencing rapid growth in the Humectants Market due to increasing consumer demand for hydration-focused products, expanding product portfolios from manufacturers, and growing awareness of the importance of skincare and oral health.
By Product
Sugar Alcohol
Alpha Hydroxy Acid
Glycols
Others
By Application
Food and Beverages
Oral and Personal Care
Pharmaceutical
Others
Archer Daniels Midland Company
Ashland Global Holdings Inc
Barentz
BASF SE
Brenntag AG
Cargill Inc
Dow Inc
E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
Ingredion Inc
Roquette Frères
*- List Not Exhaustive
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 Introduction to 2024 Humectants Market
1.1 Market Overview
1.2 Quick Facts
1.3 Scope/Objective of the Study
1.4 Market Definition
1.5 Countries and Regions Covered
1.6 Units, Currency, and Conversions
1.7 Industry Value Chain
2 Research Methodology
2.1 Market Size Estimation
2.2 Sources and Research Methodology
2.3 Data Triangulation
2.4 Assumptions and Limitations
3 Executive Summary
3.1 Global Humectants Market Size Outlook, $ Million, 2021 to 2030
3.2 Humectants Market Outlook by Type, $ Million, 2021 to 2030
3.3 Humectants Market Outlook by Product, $ Million, 2021 to 2030
3.4 Humectants Market Outlook by Application, $ Million, 2021 to 2030
3.5 Humectants Market Outlook by Key Countries, $ Million, 2021 to 2030
4 Market Dynamics
4.1 Key Driving Forces of Humectants Industry
4.2 Key Market Trends in Humectants Industry
4.3 Potential Opportunities in Humectants Industry
4.4 Key Challenges in Humectants Industry
5 Market Factor Analysis
5.1 Value Chain Analysis
5.2 Competitive Landscape
5.2.1 Global Humectants Market Share by Company (%), 2023
5.2.2 Product Offerings by Company
5.3 Porter’s Five Forces Analysis
5.4 Pricing Analysis and Outlook
6 Growth Outlook Across Scenarios
6.1 Growth Analysis-Case Scenario Definitions
6.2 Low Growth Scenario Forecasts
6.3 Reference Growth Scenario Forecasts
6.4 High Growth Scenario Forecasts
7 Global Humectants Market Outlook by Segments
7.1 Humectants Market Outlook by Segments, $ Million, 2021- 2030
By Product
Sugar Alcohol
Alpha Hydroxy Acid
Glycols
Others
By Application
Food and Beverages
Oral and Personal Care
Pharmaceutical
Others
8 North America Humectants Market Analysis and Outlook To 2030
8.1 Introduction to North America Humectants Markets in 2024
8.2 North America Humectants Market Size Outlook by Country, 2021-2030
8.2.1 United States
8.2.2 Canada
8.2.3 Mexico
8.3 North America Humectants Market size Outlook by Segments, 2021-2030
By Product
Sugar Alcohol
Alpha Hydroxy Acid
Glycols
Others
By Application
Food and Beverages
Oral and Personal Care
Pharmaceutical
Others
9 Europe Humectants Market Analysis and Outlook To 2030
9.1 Introduction to Europe Humectants Markets in 2024
9.2 Europe Humectants Market Size Outlook by Country, 2021-2030
9.2.1 Germany
9.2.2 France
9.2.3 Spain
9.2.4 United Kingdom
9.2.4 Italy
9.2.5 Russia
9.2.6 Norway
9.2.7 Rest of Europe
9.3 Europe Humectants Market Size Outlook by Segments, 2021-2030
By Product
Sugar Alcohol
Alpha Hydroxy Acid
Glycols
Others
By Application
Food and Beverages
Oral and Personal Care
Pharmaceutical
Others
10 Asia Pacific Humectants Market Analysis and Outlook To 2030
10.1 Introduction to Asia Pacific Humectants Markets in 2024
10.2 Asia Pacific Humectants Market Size Outlook by Country, 2021-2030
10.2.1 China
10.2.2 India
10.2.3 Japan
10.2.4 South Korea
10.2.5 Indonesia
10.2.6 Malaysia
10.2.7 Australia
10.2.8 Rest of Asia Pacific
10.3 Asia Pacific Humectants Market size Outlook by Segments, 2021-2030
By Product
Sugar Alcohol
Alpha Hydroxy Acid
Glycols
Others
By Application
Food and Beverages
Oral and Personal Care
Pharmaceutical
Others
11 South America Humectants Market Analysis and Outlook To 2030
11.1 Introduction to South America Humectants Markets in 2024
11.2 South America Humectants Market Size Outlook by Country, 2021-2030
11.2.1 Brazil
11.2.2 Argentina
11.2.3 Rest of South America
11.3 South America Humectants Market size Outlook by Segments, 2021-2030
By Product
Sugar Alcohol
Alpha Hydroxy Acid
Glycols
Others
By Application
Food and Beverages
Oral and Personal Care
Pharmaceutical
Others
12 Middle East and Africa Humectants Market Analysis and Outlook To 2030
12.1 Introduction to Middle East and Africa Humectants Markets in 2024
12.2 Middle East and Africa Humectants Market Size Outlook by Country, 2021-2030
12.2.1 Saudi Arabia
12.2.2 UAE
12.2.3 Oman
12.2.4 Rest of Middle East
12.2.5 Egypt
12.2.6 Nigeria
12.2.7 South Africa
12.2.8 Rest of Africa
12.3 Middle East and Africa Humectants Market size Outlook by Segments, 2021-2030
By Product
Sugar Alcohol
Alpha Hydroxy Acid
Glycols
Others
By Application
Food and Beverages
Oral and Personal Care
Pharmaceutical
Others
13 Company Profiles
13.1 Company Snapshot
13.2 SWOT Profiles
13.3 Products and Services
13.4 Recent Developments
13.5 Financial Profile
Archer Daniels Midland Company
Ashland Global Holdings Inc
Barentz
BASF SE
Brenntag AG
Cargill Inc
Dow Inc
E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
Ingredion Inc
Roquette Frères
14 Appendix
14.1 Customization Offerings
14.2 Subscription Services
14.3 Related Reports
14.4 Publisher Expertise
By Product
Sugar Alcohol
Alpha Hydroxy Acid
Glycols
Others
By Application
Food and Beverages
Oral and Personal Care
Pharmaceutical
Others
Countries Analyzed
North America (US, Canada, Mexico)
Europe (Germany, UK, France, Spain, Italy, Russia, Rest of Europe)
Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, South East Asia, Rest of Asia)
South America (Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America)
Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Rest of Middle East, South Africa, Egypt, Rest of Africa)
Global Humectants is forecast to reach $17.1 Billion in 2030 from $11.3 Billion in 2024, registering a CAGR of 7.1% over the outlook period
Emerging Markets across Asia Pacific, Europe, and Americas present robust growth prospects.
Archer Daniels Midland Company, Ashland Global Holdings Inc, Barentz, BASF SE, Brenntag AG, Cargill Inc, Dow Inc, E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Ingredion Inc, Roquette Frères
Base Year- 2023; Estimated Year- 2024; Historic Period- 2018-2023; Forecast period- 2024 to 2030; Currency: Revenue (USD); Volume