A cosmetic composition suitable for topical application is provided. The cosmetic composition comprises: a safe and effective amount of a humectant a safe and effective amount of a lipid bilayer structurant, and a safe and effective amount of a chaotropic agent. The chaotropic agent denatures the cross-linked proteinaceous layer sitting immediately above skin thereby increasing the amount of humectant and lipid bilayer structurant that enters the stratum corneum the humectant binds together with water molecules and the lipid bilayer structurant knits together the lipid bilayers of the stratum corneum thereby preventing water loss.
