What You Need To Know About Emollients

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Moisturizers can be roughly divided into three categories: humectants, occlusives, and emollients (via The Zoe Report). Basically, humectants absorb the water and keep it locked in the skin, and occlusives form a protective layer on the skin's surface to create a stronger barrier. According to WebMD, emollients are a type of medication used as a moisturizer to treat and prevent dry, itchy skin and treat minor skin irritations. They generally soften and moisturize the skin to reduce irritation and dryness. They are available in cream, ointments, lotions, gels, and sprays forms and help treat eczema if used regularly and correctly (via National Eczema Society).

Emollients are suitable for most skin types because they soften and smooth your skin by repairing the cracks on your skin barrier and preventing moisture loss. New York City dermatologist Marnie Nussbaum told Byrdie, "Emollients work best when paired with other moisturizing agents that have occlusive or humectant properties, meaning they coat and cover the skin or attract water to it." Ceramides and vitamin E are two popular emollients. Applying emollients to our skin makes it feel more comfortable and less irritated. As we get older, our skin becomes drier, and Plastic Surgeon Peter Schmid told skincare.com, "Lipid application is beneficial for aging skin where natural lipids have been depleted." So, we have to moisturize our skin to prevent dryness, itchiness, and aging.