Vegetal-Derived, Water-Absorbing Composition

A vegetal-derived, water-absorbing composition comprising

• (i) a vegetal cholesterol derived semi-synthetically from one or a mixture of botanical materials from
• (a) a species of the genus Dioscorea selected from the group consisting of D. composita, D. terpinapensis and D. villosa or
• (b) Trillium erectum,
• (ii) a non-animal, botanically-derived phospholipid comprising at least 20% phosphatidylcholine,
• (iii) a botanical oil or ester derivative thereof, said botanical oil or ester derivative thereof being present at a concentration of from 50% to 90% by weight, based on the total weight of the water-absorbing composition,
• (iv) at least one sucrose ester at a concentration of from 5% to 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the water-absorbing composition, and
• (v) 8% to 15% by weight, based on the total weight of the water-absorbing composition, of fumed silica,
• wherein the vegetal-derived, water-absorbing composition is capable of absorbing between 200% and 400% of its weight of water.