A composition that may be used to retain moisture within fresh concrete as it cures to optimize the curing of the concrete may include one or more hardening and densifying agents and one or more temporary moisture sealing agents. Additionally such a composition may include a siliconate. The hardening and densifying agent of such a composition may penetrate the surface of fresh concrete to react with free lime, providing the fresh concrete with a strong surface. The temporary moisture sealing agent may form a moisture barrier on the surface of the fresh concrete to prevent moisture from escaping from the fresh concrete before the fresh concrete has sufficiently cured. The temporary moisture sealing agent may degrade within a matter of days, facilitating its removal from the surface of the concrete once the concrete has cured and enabling further treatment of the surface without undue delay.