PUBLISHER: IMARC | PRODUCT CODE: 1831964
PUBLISHER: IMARC | PRODUCT CODE: 1831964
Humectants Market Report by Source, Type, Application, and Region 2025-2033
The global humectants market size reached USD 30.3 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 51.5 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 5.77% during 2025-2033. The growing use of humectants in the personal care, food and beverage (F&B), and pharmaceuticals industries is moderately expanding the growth of the market.
Humectants Market Trends:
Increasing Demand for Natural and Organic Food Products
With the growing awareness among the masses, there is an increase in the formulation of shift towards natural and organic products to meet consumer preferences. Natural humectants, such as glycerin, derived from vegetable oils and honey replacing synthetic alternatives, are incorporated by key players in many food products to extend shelf life and retain moisture. Moreover, these humectants help organizations comply with rules and regulations regarding organic labeling and meet expectations of people for transparency in ingredients, which builds trust and loyalty in brands that show themselves as natural and organic. In line with this, governing agencies in several countries are encouraging organic food production, thereby bolstering the growth of the market. For instance, according to the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), the total area used in the national program for organic production in India was 10.17 MHA in 2023.
Thriving Beauty and Personal Care Industry
As per IMARC Group's report, the global beauty and personal care products market reached around USD 506 Billion by 2023. The rising demand for beauty and personal care products that provide hydration and anti-aging benefits is catalyzing the demand for humectants, which are valued for their ability to attract and retain moisture. They also improve the product efficiency in moisturizers, serums, lotions, and other skincare products, thereby supporting the growth of the market. Furthermore, the growing awareness among the masses about skincare ingredients and their benefits for hydrating health and appearance of the skin is fueling the adoption of products containing effective moisturizing agents like humectants. As people are looking for items that promise to hydrate, plump, and smooth the skin, beauty and personal care key players are increasing the use of humectants in their formulations.
Expansion of Drug Development
Humectants play an essential role in formulating pharmaceuticals by helping to stabilize medications, extend shelf life, and enhance the delivery of active ingredients. With the expansion of drug development with the introduction of new medications and the reformulation of existing ones, the demand for effective humectants is increasing. They are utilized in a wide range of dosage forms, such as tablets, capsules, syrups, and topical creams, to maintain moisture content and ensure the efficacy of drugs. In addition, governing agencies are emphasizing the safety and stability of formulation. They are also investing in the manufacturing of drug development and antibiotics across the globe. For example, the Department of Health and Human Services invested $ 40 million in 2022 to expand the role of biomanufacturing for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and antibiotics.
Humectants Market Segmentation:
Breakup by Source:
- Synthetic
- Natural
Synthetic accounts for the majority of the market share
Synthetic humectants are chemically engineered substances that are not derived from natural sources. Some popular synthetic humectants include butylene glycol, urea, glycerin, tremella extract, sorbitol, and sodium pyrrolidone carboxylic acid (PCA). These humectants have excellent moisture retention properties. The growing utilization of synthetic humectants in personal care products, pharmaceuticals, food and beverages (F&B) is due to their cost-effectiveness in production process, long shelf life, and its wider availability.
Breakup by Type:
- Sugar Alcohol
- Alpha Hydroxy Acid and Polysaccharides
- Glycols
- Others
Sugar alcohol holds the largest share of the industry
Sugar alcohol refers to a group of sweet-tasting compounds that is used in various skincare products for its ability to assist in retaining moisture. Moreover, rising health consciousness among the masses about weight loss is catalyzing the demand for sugar alcohol. Besides this, it is employed as sweeteners and thickeners in food products. In addition, by regulating glycemic index (GI), individuals prefer sugar alcohol to decrease carbohydrate intake. The most common sugar alcohol is xylitol commonly used in chewing gums, mints, and oral care products. As per the National Library of Medicine report, the global consumption of sugar alcohols reached 1.9 million metric tons by 2022.
Breakup by Application:
- Food and Beverages
- Oral and Personal Care
- Pharmaceuticals
- Animal Feed
- Others
Food and beverages represent the leading market segment
The growing individual demand for food products with long life shelf, along with the rise in hectic working schedules of people is encouraging the adoption of ready-to-eat (RTE) meals in which humectants are used to maintain the proper moisture levels. Moreover, humectants are also utilized in baked goods, confectionery, and meat products to enhance texture and to improve the overall quality of the products. Besides this, it is also employed in beverages like fruit juices to maintain its colour and flavor. According to IMARC report the global ready to eat (RTE) food market size reached USD 181.5 Billion in 2023 and is expected to reach USD 262.4 Billion by 2032.
Breakup by Region:
- North America
- United States
- Canada
- Asia-Pacific
- China
- Japan
- India
- South Korea
- Australia
- Indonesia
- Others
- Europe
- Germany
- France
- United Kingdom
- Italy
- Spain
- Russia
- Others
- Latin America
- Brazil
- Mexico
- Others
- Middle East and Africa
North America leads the market, accounting for the largest humectants market share
The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include North America (the United States and Canada); Europe (Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Russia, and others); Asia Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, and others); Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, and others); and the Middle East and Africa. According to the report, North America represents the largest regional market for humectants.
North America holds the largest segment due to the thriving pharmaceuticals industry across the region, along with the rising awareness among individuals about the benefits of humectants, is impelling the market growth. Moreover, the growing demand for ready-to-eat (RTE) food products is catalyzing the demand for humectants in the region. In line with this, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reports that cosmetics account approximately $43 billion revenue in the United States in 2021. As a result, the rising production of cosmetic products in the country is driving the demand for humectants to retain moisture and prevent dryness from the skin.
Competitive Landscape:
The market research report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape in the market. Detailed profiles of all major companies have also been provided. Some of the major market players in the humectants industry include:
- Archer Daniels Midland Company
- Ashland Global Holdings Inc.
- Barentz
- BASF SE
- Brenntag SE
- Cargill Incorporated
- Corbion N.V.
- DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products Company LLC
- Ingredion Incorporated
- Roquette Freres
- The Lubrizol Corporation (Berkshire Hathaway Inc.)
- Vantage Specialty Chemicals Inc.
Key players are analyzing the distinct needs of multiple industries, such as the food and beverages industry, personal care, and cosmetic manufacturing, to tailor their products accordingly. They are also investing in marketing efforts to promote their products effectiveness, versatility, and safety. Moreover, key manufactures are forming partnerships with cosmetic key players, food processors, and pharmaceuticals companies to create opportunities for joint product development, co-branded promotions, and to expand their market reach. Besides this, the growing investments in the research and development (R&D) activities to innovate new formulations and technologies is strengthening the growth of the market. Additionally, key players are innovating their productions and centers to meet the growing demand of people around the world. For example, in 2023, Roquette introduced their new pharmaceutical innovation center in Pennsylvania to innovate pharmaceutical ingredients.
Key Questions Answered in This Report
- 1.What was the size of the global humectants market in 2024?
- 2.What is the expected growth rate of the global humectants market during 2025-2033?
- 3.What are the key factors driving the global humectants market?
- 4.What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the global humectants market?
- 5.What is the breakup of the global humectants market based on the source?
- 6.What is the breakup of the global humectants market based on the type?
- 7.What is the breakup of the global humectants market based on the application?
- 8.What are the key regions in the global humectants market?
- 9.Who are the key players/companies in the global humectants market?
Table of Contents
1 Preface
2 Scope and Methodology
- 2.1 Objectives of the Study
- 2.2 Stakeholders
- 2.3 Data Sources
- 2.3.1 Primary Sources
- 2.3.2 Secondary Sources
- 2.4 Market Estimation
- 2.4.1 Bottom-Up Approach
- 2.4.2 Top-Down Approach
- 2.5 Forecasting Methodology
3 Executive Summary
4 Introduction
- 4.1 Overview
- 4.2 Key Industry Trends
5 Global Humectants Market
- 5.1 Market Overview
- 5.2 Market Performance
- 5.3 Impact of COVID-19
- 5.4 Market Forecast
6 Market Breakup by Source
- 6.1 Synthetic
- 6.1.1 Market Trends
- 6.1.2 Market Forecast
- 6.2 Natural
- 6.2.1 Market Trends
- 6.2.2 Market Forecast
7 Market Breakup by Type
- 7.1 Sugar Alcohol
- 7.1.1 Market Trends
- 7.1.2 Market Forecast
- 7.2 Alpha Hydroxy Acid and Polysaccharides
- 7.2.1 Market Trends
- 7.2.2 Market Forecast
- 7.3 Glycols
- 7.3.1 Market Trends
- 7.3.2 Market Forecast
- 7.4 Others
- 7.4.1 Market Trends
- 7.4.2 Market Forecast
8 Market Breakup by Application
- 8.1 Food and Beverages
- 8.1.1 Market Trends
- 8.1.2 Market Forecast
- 8.2 Oral and Personal Care
- 8.2.1 Market Trends
- 8.2.2 Market Forecast
- 8.3 Pharmaceuticals
- 8.3.1 Market Trends
- 8.3.2 Market Forecast
- 8.4 Animal Feed
- 8.4.1 Market Trends
- 8.4.2 Market Forecast
- 8.5 Others
- 8.5.1 Market Trends
- 8.5.2 Market Forecast
9 Market Breakup by Region
- 9.1 North America
- 9.1.1 United States
- 9.1.1.1 Market Trends
- 9.1.1.2 Market Forecast
- 9.1.2 Canada
- 9.1.2.1 Market Trends
- 9.1.2.2 Market Forecast
- 9.1.1 United States
- 9.2 Asia-Pacific
- 9.2.1 China
- 9.2.1.1 Market Trends
- 9.2.1.2 Market Forecast
- 9.2.2 Japan
- 9.2.2.1 Market Trends
- 9.2.2.2 Market Forecast
- 9.2.3 India
- 9.2.3.1 Market Trends
- 9.2.3.2 Market Forecast
- 9.2.4 South Korea
- 9.2.4.1 Market Trends
- 9.2.4.2 Market Forecast
- 9.2.5 Australia
- 9.2.5.1 Market Trends
- 9.2.5.2 Market Forecast
- 9.2.6 Indonesia
- 9.2.6.1 Market Trends
- 9.2.6.2 Market Forecast
- 9.2.7 Others
- 9.2.7.1 Market Trends
- 9.2.7.2 Market Forecast
- 9.2.1 China
- 9.3 Europe
- 9.3.1 Germany
- 9.3.1.1 Market Trends
- 9.3.1.2 Market Forecast
- 9.3.2 France
- 9.3.2.1 Market Trends
- 9.3.2.2 Market Forecast
- 9.3.3 United Kingdom
- 9.3.3.1 Market Trends
- 9.3.3.2 Market Forecast
- 9.3.4 Italy
- 9.3.4.1 Market Trends
- 9.3.4.2 Market Forecast
- 9.3.5 Spain
- 9.3.5.1 Market Trends
- 9.3.5.2 Market Forecast
- 9.3.6 Russia
- 9.3.6.1 Market Trends
- 9.3.6.2 Market Forecast
- 9.3.7 Others
- 9.3.7.1 Market Trends
- 9.3.7.2 Market Forecast
- 9.3.1 Germany
- 9.4 Latin America
- 9.4.1 Brazil
- 9.4.1.1 Market Trends
- 9.4.1.2 Market Forecast
- 9.4.2 Mexico
- 9.4.2.1 Market Trends
- 9.4.2.2 Market Forecast
- 9.4.3 Others
- 9.4.3.1 Market Trends
- 9.4.3.2 Market Forecast
- 9.4.1 Brazil
- 9.5 Middle East and Africa
- 9.5.1 Market Trends
- 9.5.2 Market Breakup by Country
- 9.5.3 Market Forecast
10 SWOT Analysis
- 10.1 Overview
- 10.2 Strengths
- 10.3 Weaknesses
- 10.4 Opportunities
- 10.5 Threats
11 Value Chain Analysis
12 Porters Five Forces Analysis
- 12.1 Overview
- 12.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers
- 12.3 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
- 12.4 Degree of Competition
- 12.5 Threat of New Entrants
- 12.6 Threat of Substitutes
13 Price Analysis
14 Competitive Landscape
- 14.1 Market Structure
- 14.2 Key Players
- 14.3 Profiles of Key Players
- 14.3.1 Archer Daniels Midland Company
- 14.3.1.1 Company Overview
- 14.3.1.2 Product Portfolio
- 14.3.1.3 Financials
- 14.3.1.4 SWOT Analysis
- 14.3.2 Ashland Global Holdings Inc.
- 14.3.2.1 Company Overview
- 14.3.2.2 Product Portfolio
- 14.3.2.3 Financials
- 14.3.2.4 SWOT Analysis
- 14.3.3 Barentz
- 14.3.3.1 Company Overview
- 14.3.3.2 Product Portfolio
- 14.3.4 BASF SE
- 14.3.4.1 Company Overview
- 14.3.4.2 Product Portfolio
- 14.3.4.3 Financials
- 14.3.4.4 SWOT Analysis
- 14.3.5 Brenntag SE
- 14.3.5.1 Company Overview
- 14.3.5.2 Product Portfolio
- 14.3.5.3 Financials
- 14.3.6 Cargill Incorporated
- 14.3.6.1 Company Overview
- 14.3.6.2 Product Portfolio
- 14.3.6.3 SWOT Analysis
- 14.3.7 Corbion N.V.
- 14.3.7.1 Company Overview
- 14.3.7.2 Product Portfolio
- 14.3.7.3 Financials
- 14.3.8 DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products Company LLC
- 14.3.8.1 Company Overview
- 14.3.8.2 Product Portfolio
- 14.3.8.3 Financials
- 14.3.9 Ingredion Incorporated
- 14.3.9.1 Company Overview
- 14.3.9.2 Product Portfolio
- 14.3.9.3 Financials
- 14.3.9.4 SWOT Analysis
- 14.3.10 Roquette Freres
- 14.3.10.1 Company Overview
- 14.3.10.2 Product Portfolio
- 14.3.10.3 SWOT Analysis
- 14.3.11 The Lubrizol Corporation (Berkshire Hathaway Inc.)
- 14.3.11.1 Company Overview
- 14.3.11.2 Product Portfolio
- 14.3.11.3 SWOT Analysis
- 14.3.12 Vantage Specialty Chemicals Inc.
- 14.3.12.1 Company Overview
- 14.3.12.2 Product Portfolio
- 14.3.1 Archer Daniels Midland Company
List of Figures
- Figure 1: Global: Humectants Market: Major Drivers and Challenges
- Figure 2: Global: Humectants Market: Sales Value (in Billion USD), 2019-2024
- Figure 3: Global: Humectants Market Forecast: Sales Value (in Billion USD), 2025-2033
- Figure 4: Global: Humectants Market: Breakup by Source (in %), 2024
- Figure 5: Global: Humectants Market: Breakup by Type (in %), 2024
- Figure 6: Global: Humectants Market: Breakup by Application (in %), 2024
- Figure 7: Global: Humectants Market: Breakup by Region (in %), 2024
- Figure 8: Global: Humectants (Synthetic) Market: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2019 & 2024
- Figure 9: Global: Humectants (Synthetic) Market Forecast: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2025-2033
- Figure 10: Global: Humectants (Natural) Market: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2019 & 2024
- Figure 11: Global: Humectants (Natural) Market Forecast: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2025-2033
- Figure 12: Global: Humectants (Sugar Alcohol) Market: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2019 & 2024
- Figure 13: Global: Humectants (Sugar Alcohol) Market Forecast: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2025-2033
- Figure 14: Global: Humectants (Alpha Hydroxy Acid and Polysaccharides) Market: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2019 & 2024
- Figure 15: Global: Humectants (Alpha Hydroxy Acid and Polysaccharides) Market Forecast: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2025-2033
- Figure 16: Global: Humectants (Glycols) Market: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2019 & 2024
- Figure 17: Global: Humectants (Glycols) Market Forecast: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2025-2033
- Figure 18: Global: Humectants (Other Types) Market: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2019 & 2024
- Figure 19: Global: Humectants (Other Types) Market Forecast: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2025-2033
- Figure 20: Global: Humectants (Food and Beverages) Market: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2019 & 2024
- Figure 21: Global: Humectants (Food and Beverages) Market Forecast: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2025-2033
- Figure 22: Global: Humectants (Oral and Personal Care) Market: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2019 & 2024
- Figure 23: Global: Humectants (Oral and Personal Care) Market Forecast: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2025-2033
- Figure 24: Global: Humectants (Pharmaceuticals) Market: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2019 & 2024
- Figure 25: Global: Humectants (Pharmaceuticals) Market Forecast: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2025-2033
- Figure 26: Global: Humectants (Animal Feed) Market: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2019 & 2024
- Figure 27: Global: Humectants (Animal Feed) Market Forecast: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2025-2033
- Figure 28: Global: Humectants (Other Applications) Market: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2019 & 2024
- Figure 29: Global: Humectants (Other Applications) Market Forecast: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2025-2033
- Figure 30: North America: Humectants Market: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2019 & 2024
- Figure 31: North America: Humectants Market Forecast: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2025-2033
- Figure 32: United States: Humectants Market: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2019 & 2024
- Figure 33: United States: Humectants Market Forecast: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2025-2033
- Figure 34: Canada: Humectants Market: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2019 & 2024
- Figure 35: Canada: Humectants Market Forecast: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2025-2033
- Figure 36: Asia-Pacific: Humectants Market: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2019 & 2024
- Figure 37: Asia-Pacific: Humectants Market Forecast: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2025-2033
- Figure 38: China: Humectants Market: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2019 & 2024
- Figure 39: China: Humectants Market Forecast: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2025-2033
- Figure 40: Japan: Humectants Market: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2019 & 2024
- Figure 41: Japan: Humectants Market Forecast: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2025-2033
- Figure 42: India: Humectants Market: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2019 & 2024
- Figure 43: India: Humectants Market Forecast: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2025-2033
- Figure 44: South Korea: Humectants Market: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2019 & 2024
- Figure 45: South Korea: Humectants Market Forecast: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2025-2033
- Figure 46: Australia: Humectants Market: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2019 & 2024
- Figure 47: Australia: Humectants Market Forecast: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2025-2033
- Figure 48: Indonesia: Humectants Market: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2019 & 2024
- Figure 49: Indonesia: Humectants Market Forecast: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2025-2033
- Figure 50: Others: Humectants Market: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2019 & 2024
- Figure 51: Others: Humectants Market Forecast: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2025-2033
- Figure 52: Europe: Humectants Market: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2019 & 2024
- Figure 53: Europe: Humectants Market Forecast: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2025-2033
- Figure 54: Germany: Humectants Market: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2019 & 2024
- Figure 55: Germany: Humectants Market Forecast: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2025-2033
- Figure 56: France: Humectants Market: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2019 & 2024
- Figure 57: France: Humectants Market Forecast: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2025-2033
- Figure 58: United Kingdom: Humectants Market: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2019 & 2024
- Figure 59: United Kingdom: Humectants Market Forecast: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2025-2033
- Figure 60: Italy: Humectants Market: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2019 & 2024
- Figure 61: Italy: Humectants Market Forecast: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2025-2033
- Figure 62: Spain: Humectants Market: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2019 & 2024
- Figure 63: Spain: Humectants Market Forecast: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2025-2033
- Figure 64: Russia: Humectants Market: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2019 & 2024
- Figure 65: Russia: Humectants Market Forecast: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2025-2033
- Figure 66: Others: Humectants Market: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2019 & 2024
- Figure 67: Others: Humectants Market Forecast: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2025-2033
- Figure 68: Latin America: Humectants Market: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2019 & 2024
- Figure 69: Latin America: Humectants Market Forecast: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2025-2033
- Figure 70: Brazil: Humectants Market: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2019 & 2024
- Figure 71: Brazil: Humectants Market Forecast: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2025-2033
- Figure 72: Mexico: Humectants Market: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2019 & 2024
- Figure 73: Mexico: Humectants Market Forecast: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2025-2033
- Figure 74: Others: Humectants Market: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2019 & 2024
- Figure 75: Others: Humectants Market Forecast: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2025-2033
- Figure 76: Middle East and Africa: Humectants Market: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2019 & 2024
- Figure 77: Middle East and Africa: Humectants Market: Breakup by Country (in %), 2024
- Figure 78: Middle East and Africa: Humectants Market Forecast: Sales Value (in Million USD), 2025-2033
- Figure 79: Global: Humectants Industry: SWOT Analysis
- Figure 80: Global: Humectants Industry: Value Chain Analysis
- Figure 81: Global: Humectants Industry: Porter's Five Forces Analysis
List of Tables
- Table 1: Global: Humectants Market: Key Industry Highlights, 2024 and 2033
- Table 2: Global: Humectants Market Forecast: Breakup by Source (in Million USD), 2025-2033
- Table 3: Global: Humectants Market Forecast: Breakup by Type (in Million USD), 2025-2033
- Table 4: Global: Humectants Market Forecast: Breakup by Application (in Million USD), 2025-2033
- Table 5: Global: Humectants Market Forecast: Breakup by Region (in Million USD), 2025-2033
- Table 6: Global: Humectants Market: Competitive Structure
- Table 7: Global: Humectants Market: Key Players
