The word emollient means a preparation that softens the skin. Another name for an emollient is a moisturizer. Occlusive emollients such as lanolin, emulsifying ointment, and liquid paraffin work by covering the skin with a protective film, preventing water loss.

Context Explanation

Emollients are ingredients in skin creams, lotions, moisturizers or ointments that form a film on your skin. These ingredients can relieve dryness, itching and scaling. Emollients can help your skin feel more comfortable if you have eczema, psoriasis, dry or sensitive skin. What are emollients?

Insight Material

Bath emollients are oils or emulsifiers designed to disperse in the bath, and are best used in conjunction with other moisturisers including leave-on products. Combinations of products are often used, eg, soap substitutes +/- bath oils, as well as leave-on products. The noun emollient is used most often in reference to a substance—such as an oil, cream, lotion, butter, or balm—used to treat someone's skin or hair. Perhaps unsurprisingly, it traces back to a Latin word, the verb emollire, meaning "to soften or soothe." Emollients are moisturising treatments applied directly to the skin to soothe and hydrate it. They cover the skin with a protective film to trap in moisture.

Final Conclusion

Emollients are often used to help manage dry, itchy or scaly skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and ichthyosis. Meaning soother or softener, an emollient softens dry, rough, flakey skin, making it look and feel better. When the top layer of your skin doesn’t contain enough water, it dries out. This causes... An emollient is a substance that softens and smooths the skin by filling in tiny cracks between skin cells. Emollients are one of three main components found in moisturizing products, alongside humectants (which pull water into the skin) and occlusives (which seal moisture in).

What is an emollient, and how does it help with dry, irritated skin? Learn how emollients support your skin barrier, ease eczema and psoriasis, and keep your skin comfortable.