Influence of the aqueous glyoxal solution as a chemical additive on the processes of hydration and structurization of cement stone is considered. Physical patterns of diffusion and particle mass transfer deep into cement grains are studied. It is demonstrated that the mechanism of increasing strength and change of the setting time for samples based on cement binders consists of the following processes: intensification of diffusion interaction of binder grains with water molecules; more ordered structural formations with closer sizes formed in a solidifying system; glyoxal and products of its interaction retaining water and gradually transmitting it to the system of new structural formations in later solidification stages thereby increasing the degree of hydration of cement particles.