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Emollient

 

 
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Emollient
 
 
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Emollients are substances that soften and soothe the skin
Skin

The skin is the outer covering of the body, also known as the epidermis. It is the largest organ of the integumentary system made up of multiple layers of epithelial biological tissue, and guards the underlying muscles, bones, ligaments and organ s....
. They are used to correct dryness and scaling of the skin. They are a key component in the manufacture of lipstick, lotions, and other cosmetic products.

The terms "moisturizer
Moisturizer

Moisturisers or moisturizers are complex mixtures of chemical agents specially designed to make the external layers of the skin softer and more pliable, by increasing its hydration by reducing evaporation....
" (something that adds moisture) and "emollient" (something that softens) are sometimes used interchangeably, as they describe different effects of these agents on the skin.






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Emollients are substances that soften and soothe the skin
Skin

The skin is the outer covering of the body, also known as the epidermis. It is the largest organ of the integumentary system made up of multiple layers of epithelial biological tissue, and guards the underlying muscles, bones, ligaments and organ s....
. They are used to correct dryness and scaling of the skin. They are a key component in the manufacture of lipstick, lotions, and other cosmetic products.

The terms "moisturizer
Moisturizer

Moisturisers or moisturizers are complex mixtures of chemical agents specially designed to make the external layers of the skin softer and more pliable, by increasing its hydration by reducing evaporation....
" (something that adds moisture) and "emollient" (something that softens) are sometimes used interchangeably, as they describe different effects of these agents on the skin. However, the term emollient is most often used to describe single ingredients, whereas "moisturizer" describes finished products.

Emollient can also be used to describe a person as soft and soothing

Mechanism of action

Emollients have three basic properties:
  • Occlusion
    Occlusion

    Occlusion is a term indicating that the state of something, which is normally open, is now totally closed.* In medicine, the term is often used to refer to blood vessels, artery or veins which have become totally blocked to any blood flow....
     - providing a layer of oil
    Oil

    An oil is a chemical substance that is in a viscosity liquid state at room temperature or slightly warmer, and is both hydrophobic and lipophilic ....
     on the surface of the skin to slow water loss and thus increase the moisture content of the stratum corneum
    Stratum corneum

    The stratum corneum is the outermost layer of the epidermis , composed of large, flat, polyhedral, plate-like envelopes filled with keratin which are the dead cells that have migrated up from the stratum granulosum....
  • Humectant
    Humectant

    A humectant is a hygroscopic Chemical substance. It is often a molecule with several hydrophilic groups, most often hydroxyl groups, but amines and carboxyl groups, sometimes esterified, can be encountered as well; the affinity to form hydrogen bonds with molecules of water is crucial here....
     - increasing the water
    Water

    Water is a common chemical substance that is essential for the survival of all known forms of life. In typical usage, water refers only to its liquid form or States of matter, but the substance also has a solid state, ice, and a gaseous state, water vapor or steam....
    -holding capacity of the stratum corneum
  • Lubrication
    Lubrication

    Lubrication is the process, or technique employed to reduce wear of one or both surfaces in close proximity, and moving relative to each another, by interposing a substance called lubricant between the surfaces to carry or to help carry the load between the opposing surfaces....
     - adding slip or glide across the skin.


See also

  • Glycerine
  • Diprobase
    Diprobase

    Diprobase is an emollient, specifically targeted at eczema and dermatitis. It is an occlusive emollient, meaning that it restores the layer of oil on the surface of the skin to slow water loss....