What are we talking about? Emollients for skin are a real salvation, especially if it is dry, prone to atopy, irritation and other dermatological problems. Cosmetic substances form a protective film, thanks to which softness and tenderness return.
How to use? The method of application depends on the type of product with an emollient. The therapeutic effect appears only with regular application. You can resort to emollients as often as you like to keep your skin well moisturized.
What are skin emollients
When it comes to cosmetic products, it is important to understand that different characteristics can have different effects on the skin. For example, some creams spread easily and create a velvety feeling on the skin, while others leave a greasy film or are instantly absorbed without leaving a trace.
Many consumers form their opinions about a product based on parameters such as texture and absorption. However, it is worth understanding that each of these textures performs its own function, determined by the emollients used - fats and fat-like substances. Thus, the tactile characteristics of cosmetics depend on the selection of components and their combination.
Skin emollients, in simple terms, are active ingredients that can make your skin smooth and soft. Their name comes from the word “molle,” which means “soft” in French.
Natural and organic emollients are widely used to improve the condition of dry, irritated skin in people of all ages - both for moisturizing adult skin and for moisturizing baby skin. Cosmetics based on emollients are usually called innovative skin care products.
Skin needs care. Emollients are the key to tenderness and beauty. They not only moisturize the epidermis, but also protect it from negative environmental influences. Regular use of emollients will give your skin an amazing feeling of comfort and well-groomedness.
A unique protective film is formed on the surface layer of the epidermis under the influence of emollients, which are fats (lipids) of plant and animal origin. This unique effect prevents moisture evaporation and is one of the key characteristics of emollients.
The category of emollients includes:
Natural substances – animal, vegetable and mineral oils, lanolin and its derivatives, waxes, solid animal fats.
Synthetic components such as silicone derivatives, esters, various fatty acids.
Functions of skin emollients
Among the main factors that determine the effectiveness of such products, it is necessary to highlight the active ingredients included in their formula.
The main role of these components is to restore the skin's hydrolipid barrier and improve its natural barrier function. For example, emollients:
Reduces moisture loss through the skin, preventing dehydration.
Protects skin from the negative effects of dry air, cold, hard water and household chemicals.
They relieve unpleasant sensations such as tightness, burning and itching.
The two main components that make up an emollient are water and fat. All emollients are divided into two groups depending on the dominant component.
Water in oil.
Oil in water.
In winter, it is especially important to use the first composition for restoration, protection and softening. The second formula, which also effectively moisturizes, prevents dehydration and saturates the skin with sufficient moisture.
Residents of southern countries preferred vegetable oils, primarily olive and coconut, to prevent dehydration and dry skin from exposure to sunlight.
Emollients can be found in all cosmetics both cleansers and skin care products. Especially many different emollients are included in the formulas of products intended for dry, atopic-prone skin of babies, children and adults. The higher the concentration of emollients in the product, the more pronounced the effect of its use.
Benefits of Emollients for Skin
With certain diseases and exposure to irritants (detergents, acids, alkalis), the fatty layer of the epidermis is subject to disturbances, which causes peeling, dryness, coarsening and roughness of the skin. To restore the lipid barrier of the skin, it is recommended to use products with moisturizing components.
Lipids, like cement, connect the cells of the epidermis, playing an important role in the formation of the body's protective barrier. They not only cover the skin with a thin film, but are also part of the cell membranes. This semblance of a barrier can prevent excessive moisture loss by the body and maintain its health, so emollients are a salvation for dry skin.
Properties of emollients:
Regeneration.
Reduced itching.
Optimization of protective cover.
Improving appearance.
Attractive texture.
Maintaining moisture levels.
Enrichment of the skin with lipids.
With regular use of medicinal emollients, the following occurs:
The skin becomes more resistant to adverse environmental factors such as cold or dry air.
The feeling of dryness, tightness and cracks disappear.
The skin's moisture level increases.
Wrinkles are smoothed out.
The appearance of the skin improves, it becomes more elastic and smooth.
Discomfort and tightness disappear.
The skin loses less moisture.
Sensitivity decreases.
To combat eczema, psoriasis and ichthyosis, gentle preparations are widely used that help eliminate dryness, reduce itching and get rid of flaking.
Types of Skin Emollients
Let us list the most common simple softening and moisturizing substances from the emollient group, which are used in cosmetology and medicine.
Solid animal fats: horse, badger, mink fats, lanolin (the main component of sheep fat) and its derivatives (hydrolin, cryolin, terlan and others), lard, beeswax, wax-like substances, spermaceti. Sometimes individual triglycerides and fatty acids (stearic, lauric, oleic) are extracted from them, which are used in cosmetics in isolation.
Liquid animal fats: fish, shark, cod liver. Palmitic fatty acid, omega-3,6,9 polyunsaturated acids are extracted from them for the production of cosmetics and medicinal products.
Vegetable oils: castor, apricot, soybean, argan, sea buckthorn, almond, corn, sunflower, macadamia, tea tree, avocado, jojoba.
Vegetable solid fats: coconut, peanut, palm, shea butter, karite, cocoa. Vegetable waxes can also be included here.
Mineral oils: vaseline, glycerin, yellow vaseline, hard paraffin, ozokerite.
Synthetic substances: polyethylene glycols, silicone bases from derivatives of polyorganosiloxanes and cellulose, cyclomethicone, dimethicone.
Types of products and preparations with emollients for the skin
Cosmetic and medicinal moisturizers with emollients are available in a variety of options, differing in both composition and texture.
What skin emollients to buy if you are faced with dryness and discomfort? Structurally, most of them are emulsions, where tiny droplets of fatty emollients are in a liquid medium.
Although water and fats do not usually mix, emulsion is the simplest way to transport fat-soluble substances into the epidermis.
Lotions
Lotions that spread easily over the surface have a delicate texture, which makes them an ideal choice for areas of skin covered with hair or damaged (for example, with weeping eczema). However, their disadvantage is the insufficient depth of epidermal hydration. Emollients in the form of skin lotions are effectively used for newborns.
Sprays
To apply medicinal components to burnt surfaces, sprays are used that are absorbed very quickly. They are ideal for hard-to-reach areas of the skin, especially if it is inflamed or infected, and touching it is undesirable.
Creams
Skin emollients also come in the form of creams. Due to their light texture, they penetrate the skin intensively, ensuring rapid absorption.
Such products are widely used for the treatment of skin diseases, as well as in skin care cosmetics.
Ointments
Ointments with a high fat content and a thick consistency are an excellent remedy for treating skin problems with thickened and excessively dry skin. They are recommended for use in cases of exacerbation of chronic manifestations of skin diseases, when there is an increase in the skin pattern, uneven pigmentation, and an increase in the thickness of the epidermis. It is important that the ointment is as moisturizing and thick as possible to effectively affect problem areas of the skin.
Soap substitutes
When skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis or psoriasis occur, experts recommend using cosmetics with emollients instead of regular soaps, shampoos and shower gels, which usually dry out the skin. These soap substitutes do not foam, but they effectively cleanse the skin.
Composition of skin emollients
Emollient-based cosmetics contain a variety of ingredients.
Glycerin, hyaluronic acid, urea are humectants, excellent moisturizers. They have the ability to attract and retain moisture, which helps increase the level of skin hydration.
Substances called occlusives create a water-repellent barrier on the skin surface. They protect the damaged skin barrier, delay water evaporation and prevent the negative impact of aggressive factors. Among them are components that are safe for the skin of adults and children - Vaseline, lanolin, mineral oil, vegetable waxes and their esters, as well as silicones, such as dimethicone and cyclomethicone.
Fatty alcohols perform an important mission in skin nutrition: they balance the lipid balance, make the skin more elastic and smooth. Vegetable oils, such as castor, canola or avocado, do an excellent job of retaining moisture in the skin. Do not forget about such synthetic emollients as squalene or ceramides, which provide reliable protection and nutrition to the skin.
A variety of ingredients are used to create quality skin care products. Mineral and natural oils (squalene, cocoa butter and shea butter, waxes including beeswax and lanolin), fatty alcohols and silicones (dimethicone and cyclomethicone) are highly sought after ingredients. Carbonates, triglycerides and esters are also included in cosmetics.
Creams with a dense texture also contain a significant amount of emollients. The least amount of such agents is found in lotions, which mainly consist of water with a small amount of oils and fats. The best moisture-locking substances are silicones, fatty oils and waxes.
The oil phases in skin emulsions, known as emollients, have active moisturising and softening effects, helping to relieve certain dermatological problems such as psoriasis or dermatitis. These products aim to strengthen the skin barrier, retain moisture and address specific concerns such as itching.
Dermatologists recommend such products as additional care during periods of exacerbation of diseases or remission. Although they are sold exclusively in pharmacies, these are cosmetic, not medicinal products. For example, it is recommended to use emollients for skin with atopic dermatitis.
How to Use Emollients for Skin
To get rid of dryness and tightness of the skin, it is worth using moisturizers in the form of lotions, sprays, creams and ointments, which should be carefully applied to the skin. It is necessary to do this with stroking movements in the direction of hair growth to prevent clogging of the hair follicles. If you have skincare tips or personal routines to share, feel free to write for us health and beauty.
If there is a need to restore lost moisture, these products can be used at any convenient time.
In order to keep your skin moisturized, it is important to use emollients often enough. This procedure should not be forgotten, as your hands and face are constantly exposed to external factors and require special care.
Therefore, before cleaning, washing or gardening, do not forget to apply a protective agent. It is recommended to repeat this procedure at least 3-4 times a day for the best results.
After washing your hands, taking a bath or shower, you should immediately apply moisturizers to ensure your skin has the right level of moisture. It is important that the substance is well absorbed, so it is best to do this after drying your body.
Skin reactions to emollients may include the following symptoms:
no effect from use after several days, burning or tingling sensation;
clogged or inflamed hair follicles, which can lead to boils;
facial rashes that can worsen acne.
For such symptoms it is recommended:
cancel use of the product;
consult a specialist for further recommendations.
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