What type of ingredient contributes to the density of cream formulations?

In cream formulations, humectants play a vital role by drawing moisture into the skin and helping to maintain hydration. While humectants are primarily known for their moisture-retaining properties, they can also contribute to the overall texture and viscosity of creams. This contribution to density is due to their ability to attract and hold onto water, which can result in a thicker consistency when incorporated into a formulation.

Surfactants primarily work by reducing surface tension and allowing for better spreading and foaming but do not significantly enhance the density of a cream. Emollients, on the other hand, are fatty substances that help to soften and smooth the skin, adding to the cream's richness and glide but not inherently increasing density in the same way humectants do. Preservatives are included to prolong the shelf life of a product and prevent microbial growth, but they do not contribute to the density or texture of the formulation. Therefore, humectants are essential in providing both hydration and a denser texture to cream formulations.