Carbohydrates are one of the main dietary components, includes sugars, starches, and fibers.
Carbohydrates are classified as simple or complex. The classification depends on the chemical structure of the food, and how quickly the sugar is digested and absorbed. Simple carbohydrates have one (single) or two (double) sugars. Complex carbohydrates have three or more sugars.

The primary function of carbohydrates is to provide energy for the body, especially the brain and the nervous system. An enzyme called amylase helps break down carbohydrates into glucose (blood sugar), which is used for energy by the body.
Carbohydrates, or saccharides, are sugars and starches, which provide energy for humans and animals, and cellulose which make up many plant structures.

Carbohydrates are able to absorb and retain water, under certain conditions. Some
Carbohydrates remain on the surface of the stratum corneum, thus acting as moisturizing and filmogenic substances, which noticeably improve skin biomechanical properties.

Carbohydrates have excellent performance of moisture maintenance and damping. The excellence is more obvious used in cleansing facial milk and all kinds of creams.
Adding certain amount of Carbohydrates to cosmetics not only can prevent the moisture content in cosmetics from disappearing, but also make hydration to the moisture on the cuticle.
Cosmetics with Carbohydrates are also easy to be absorbed by the skin, and can promote blood circulation.

Moisturizing agents are compounds, which contribute to maintain the skin water-balance.
Moisturizers contribute flexibility to the stratum corneum; they facilitate desquamation through their action on corneodesmosomes and affect the lipids, which exert the barrier function.
Filmogenic agents are macromolecules, which remain on the stratum corneum surface, where they retain water and improve the barrier function.

Carbohydrates like Starch, Cellulose, Glucose, Lactose, Sucrose, Sorbitol, Mannitol, Honey and more are being used in cosmetics, mainly in moisturizing complexes.