______ is essential for the preparation of vanishing creams, and glycerin or sorbitol are commonly used.

______ is essential for the preparation of vanishing creams, and glycerin or sorbitol are commonly used.

• A. Preservative
• B. Humectant
• C. Thickener
• D. Emulsifier

Answer: (B)

Humectants are substances that attract and hold water, which is crucial for vanishing creams that are meant to feel light and non-greasy. Glycerin and sorbitol are classic humectants used in cosmetics because they are hygroscopic and form hydrogen-bonded networks with water, helping the product retain moisture on the skin and in the film. In vanishing creams, this moisture retention keeps the film hydrated as the water component can evaporate, yielding a smooth, non-oily finish that “vanishes” quickly. They also improve spreadability and skin feel. Preservatives protect against microbes, thickeners adjust viscosity, and emulsifiers stabilize the oil–water mix, but none of these primarily supply the moisture-holding function that defines vanishing creams.

Humectants are substances that attract and hold water, which is crucial for vanishing creams that are meant to feel light and non-greasy. Glycerin and sorbitol are classic humectants used in cosmetics because they are hygroscopic and form hydrogen-bonded networks with water, helping the product retain moisture on the skin and in the film. In vanishing creams, this moisture retention keeps the film hydrated as the water component can evaporate, yielding a smooth, non-oily finish that “vanishes” quickly. They also improve spreadability and skin feel. Preservatives protect against microbes, thickeners adjust viscosity, and emulsifiers stabilize the oil–water mix, but none of these primarily supply the moisture-holding function that defines vanishing creams.