PURPOSE: To obtain an inexpensive humectant, containing an extract of soybean hypocotyls prepared by using water, a lower alcohol or blend thereof as an extracting solvent as an active ingredient, having excellent humectant action and safety and useful for the skin and hair.

CONSTITUTION: A humectant for the skin and hair, containing an extract obtained by extracting soybean hypocotyls with water, a lower alcohol, such as methanol or ethanol, or a blend thereof, preferably a blend of the lower alcohol with water in about 40W60% alcohol concentration as an essential ingredient and capable of producing a cosmetic having excellent humectant performance by sufficiently blending therein since this humectant can be more stably supplied with higher safety at a lower cost than those of a conventional humectant.