What is the emollient effect on dry skin?

What are emollient ingredients?

Emollient ingredients soften dry , rough, or flaky skin and also make the product more comfortable to use.

When the epidermis of the skin does not have enough moisture, it becomes dry, which can lead to cracking and peeling, causing gaps to form between the skin cells.
Emollient ingredients fill these gaps with oils and fatty substances, making the skin smooth and soft.

Are emollients and moisturizers the same?

Technically, emollients and moisturizers are not the same thing. Moisturizers are water-soluble ingredients that hydrate the skin, while emollients are ingredients that keep the skin soft and smooth.

However, in many cases, emollient ingredients are also treated as moisturizing ingredients.

Emollients generally contain a lot of oil. The thin oily film they create covers the skin and locks in moisture. Ingredients that perform this function are also called occlusive agents.

Some of the most common emollient ingredients include:

• Argan Oil
• Squalane
• Jojoba oil
• Sunflower oil
• Rice bran oil
• Shea butter
• Vaseline
• Lanolin
• Horse oil
• Human ceramide

Function of emollient ingredients

There are various causes of dry skin. In particular, skin is more likely to become dry in winter when the air is cold and dry. And many people may experience rough skin due to dryness.

Frequent hand washing and exposure to harsh chemicals can also cause dry skin. Emollients can help relieve dry skin caused by:

• eczema
• psoriasis
• Atopic dermatitis
• Dry skin due to temperature fluctuations
• Dry skin after bathing
• Dry hands due to use of dishwashing detergent, etc.
• Dry skin caused by soaps and cleansing products that are irritating or have strong degreasing properties
• Dryness after sunburn
• Diaper rash
• Inflammation caused by burns, etc.

How to Choose the Right Emollient for You

Cosmetics that contain emollients are called emollients. Any emollient will make your skin feel soft and smooth.

However, the occlusive effect varies depending on the amount of oil. Naturally, the more oil there is, the better it is at forming a protective film on the skin and locking in moisture. On the other hand, it can also leave a sticky feeling.

It is important to choose the right emollient for you based on your skin type , skin condition and its cause, and where you will be applying it.

Types of Emollients

There are several types of emollients:

ointment

Ointments are mostly oils. They are thick and help prevent skin from losing moisture. They don't evaporate or absorb quickly, so you don't need to reapply them frequently. However, they can be sticky.

cream

Creams have a balanced oil and water content. They feel better than ointments, but are less emollient than ointments. However, they have enough oil to trap moisture in the skin, making them more emollient than lotions.
Emollients are absorbed relatively quickly, so they require more frequent reapplication than ointments.

Toner

Most of the lotion is water. It contains little oil, so it has a low emollient effect. It is light and easy to apply, so it is best to apply it in the morning or afternoon when you are most active. However, it evaporates and is absorbed quickly, so you will need to reapply it frequently.
Also, because they contain a lot of water, they often contain preservatives , which can cause adverse reactions in sensitive skin.

Milky lotion

Between a cream and a lotion. In other words, the emollient effect is higher than that of a lotion, but lower than that of a cream.

How to use emollients effectively

Whatever emollient you use, you'll need to reapply it regularly to soothe dry skin -- ointments should be reapplied twice a day, other emollients three to four times a day, and after sweating or washing off with water.

Also, the purpose of emollients is to keep moisture on the surface of the skin, so there is no need to rub them into the skin. Apply gently, in the direction of hair growth, and generously at first to avoid clogging pores.