Emollients

A key part of your skincare routine should be moisturizing. Hydration is key to healing skin and sustaining overall skin health. 

Emollients can attract moisture to the skin and prevent moisture from escaping, achieving a replenished and supple skin texture. They work by forming a protective barrier on the skin, which helps to reduce water loss and prevent moisture from escaping. 

How Emollients Work in Skincare

The outer layer of the skin, the stratum corneum, is made mostly of dead skin cells held together by intercellular lipids, which have an oily texture. This is the main protective barrier against environmental aggressors and moisture loss. However, this top layer can become damaged over time, leading to dry, dull, or rough skin texture.

Emollients penetrate the stratum corneum and fill in the gaps between dead skin cells. This repairs the skin barrier, reduces water loss, and increases the skin's hydration level.

Types of emollient ingredients

Emollients are diverse and come from both natural and synthetic sources. Here are some common emollient ingredients used in skincare products:

• Plant oils like jojoba, argan, almond, and olive oil. 

• Plant extracts like aloe vera gel, glycerin, and rose water can be used alongside heavier moisturizers to increase penetration. For example, mixing a bit of aloe or rose water with jojoba oil helps it spread and prevents the oil from sitting on the skin. 

• Silicone oils consist of long chains of molecules that create a non-comedogenic barrier on the skin's surface, reducing water loss and increasing hydration levels. Due to their smooth and silky texture, silicone oils, like foundation primers and makeup products, are added to makeup.

• Squalene, plant-based (never from shark liver!), is a natural component of human sebum and can help to moisturize and soothe dry, sensitive skin.

• Shea butter is a heavy moisturizing ingredient rich in fatty acids and antioxidants.

• Glycerin is a humectant but acts as an emollient as well. It's thick, tends to moisturize, and attracts moisture to the skin.

Benefits of Emollient Ingredients

Emollients provide a wide range of benefits to the skin, including:

• Increased skin hydration

• Improved skin texture

• Soothing and calming effects

• Antioxidant protection

Emollients help to prevent water loss and attract moisture to the skin, ultimately increasing skin hydration levels. Dry skin tends to have a more "textured" look, so a heavier product gives a brighter, smoother look. 

Aggravated, dry skin can look red or irritated. Using a soothing emollient with an oat or aloe base can reduce redness and have a calming effect. Environmental irritants like sun, wind, grit, or pollution can cause dryness and premature aging.

How to add emollients into your skincare routine

I always preface with a warning to do a patch test. Some emollients may be comedogenic or pore-clogging and should be used cautiously if you're prone to acne.

Emollients should be used alongside an exfoliating routine unless you have sensitive skin. Clearing the pores helps you reap all the benefits of an emollient moisturizer.

Incorporate emollient-rich products into your skincare routine after cleansing. Emollient-rich moisturizers are typically best used at night, as they can be too heavy to wear under makeup. For super dry skin, a lightweight emollient can be a great addition to your morning routine, even a primer or hydrating foundation.

You can always contact us for a consultation and recommendations based on your skin type and concerns.