How do emollients work?
How do emollients work?
Emollients are moisturisers. Some can help to regulate skin pH levels, encouraging a re-balance of the skin's microbiome, and stimulate its natural defences
Emollients have the ability to be occlusive or humectant, and some can be both.
OCCLUSIVE EMOLLIENTS
- Form a hydrophobic barrier to prevent water loss and keep allergens and irritants out
- Effective in the management and reduction of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) - the loss of water from the epidermal layer
HUMECTANT EMOLLIENTS
- Have water-attracting properties to promote the retention of moisture in the epidermis
- Work to actively draw moisture from the dermis up into the epidermis
