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.