Do you know what emollients are? They are skincare products for sensitive skin that have lubricating, moisturizing, and softening properties. Cosmetics containing emollients are recommended primarily for very dry, rough, irritated, atopic, and psoriasis-prone skin. Their purpose is to restore comfort and provide intense hydration and lubrication. How do emollients work? Who should use them, and can they be harmful? We'll try to answer these questions.
Emollients are dermocosmetics intended for body cleansing (gels, cleansing oils), facial and body skin care (balms, milks, emulsions), and hair and scalp care. Emollients are often recommended for children's skin care. Their formulas are free from potential allergens and artificial fragrances, dyes, or detergents.
Properties and action of emollients
Emollients are substances that create a protective film on the skin, the purpose of which is to protect against mechanical damage and the effects of harmful factors, such as detergents.
Emollients also have moisturizing properties (usually derived from oil), which replenish the skin's outermost layer, providing long-lasting hydration. These products limit water loss through the epidermis and retain it within skin cells. These cosmetics have a multifaceted effect. Their formulas are designed to provide skin comfort, minimizing dryness, roughness, and itching. They are enriched with ingredients such as urea, hyaluronic acid, d-panthenol, allantoin, shea butter, and various oils, such as evening primrose oil, avocado oil, and argan oil. Additionally, emollients minimize itching discomfort, reduce and soothe inflammation and skin irritation. Furthermore, these substances are recommended for people with very sensitive skin. However, this designation does not mean that these dermocosmetics are 100% safe and allergy-free, as the cosmetic may contain other ingredients that could trigger an allergic reaction. Therefore, always remember to read and analyze product ingredients. It's easier than you think.
When to use emollients?
The main indications for using cosmetics containing emollients include skin affected by atopic dermatitis (AD), psoriasis, and other dermatoses. Emollients are also effective in the care of very dry, rough, scaly, sensitive, and irritation-prone skin. Dermocosmetics from the emollient category can be used even several times a day, depending on the skin's needs.
Healthy skin can also benefit from balms/emollients. These ingredients are effective at any time of year – in summer and autumn, when skin is dried out by the sun, in winter during frosty weather, and in spring, when skin condition deteriorates due to dry, heated air in apartments or air conditioning.
Is it just skin care?
Emollients aren't limited to balms and cleansing products. Shampoo can also contain emollients. They contain ingredients that moisturize the hair and scalp. If you have a sensitive scalp, it's important to choose a shampoo free of SLS and SLES, harsh cleansing agents that can cause scalp irritation.
Emollients are cosmetics that provide almost immediate results. After using them, the skin becomes moisturized, nourished, and smoother. Their safe ingredients make them suitable for very sensitive, irritated skin, and even for children.
Martyna Piechowska is a blogger and makeup artist. She combines her passion for cosmetics and makeup with her professional work, where she can be found daily at the drugstore. Blogging is both a hobby and a way to spend her free time. She loves cosmetics and everything related to beauty, skincare, and makeup.
