The Moisture Absorption and Retention Abilities of Quaternized Carboxymethyl Chitosan

Different types of quaternized carboxymethyl chitosans (QCMCs) were prepared in this study. The moisture absorption abilities of each QCMCs were measured at 81% and 43% relative humidity (RH), and the moisture retention abilities were done at 81% RH, at 43% RH and in silica gel. Hyaluronic acid (HA) was used as control in each condition. Results showed that, both at 81% and 43% RH, each QCMCs had better properties both in moisture absorption and retention than HA. And in silica gel, the moisture retention ability of each QCMCs was better than or close to that of HA. Therefore, it is hopeful that certain of the QCMCs would replace HA as the moisture absorption and retention ingredient in cosmetics in the future.