3. INTRODUCTION
▪ Emollients are topical treatments (treatments that are applied
directly to the skin).
▪ They reduce water loss from the outer layer of skin (epidermis) by
covering it with a protective film.
▪ Emollients are also sometimes known as moisturizers.
▪ Emollients come in several different forms, including:
soap substitutes
bath oils
moisturising creams and ointments
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4. DEFINITION
An emollient is a humectant, a lubricant, and an occluder. Occlusion
puts a layer of oil on the skin's surface, slowing down water loss. A
humectant enhances the surface of the skin's capacity to hold water.
A lubricant reduces friction when anything rubs against the skin.
OR
Emollients are moisturising treatments applied directly to the skin to
soothe and hydrate it.They cover the skin with a protective film to
trap in moisture.
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5. CLASSIFICATION
Emollients may be medicated or nonmedicated.
▪ Non-medicated topical emollients or moisturizers contain occlusive agents(fat
soluble emollients), and humectants( water soluble emollient).
Emollients offer an occlusive barrier and they smooth flaky skin cells, to make the
skin look smoother. Some spread more easily than others. Esters and oils can be
used.
Emollients has three basic actions:
Occlusion - Occlusive agents coat the skin, forming a physical barrier that prevents
the loss of water. EX- Petrolatum, waxes, oils, and silicones.They can be
uncomfortable on the skin, so they may be combined with an emollient
Humectants - include ingredients such as glycerin, urea and pyrrolidine carboxylic
acid.They attract water from the atmosphere and from the lower layers of skin to
moisturize the surface of the skin.They can feel sticky, so they will be combined with
other elements like emollients.
lubrication – adding slip or glide over the skin.
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8. MEDICATED EMOLLIENTS
▪ Some emollients contain specially medicated formulas that can be used
to treat skin conditions such as:
eczema: a long-term (chronic) skin condition that causes the skin to
become reddened, dry, itchy and cracked
psoriasis: a chronic non-infectious skin condition that causes red, flaky
patches of skin
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9. WHEN TO APPLY EMOLLIENTS
▪ Emollients can be applied as often as recommended by the manufacturer to
keep the skin well moisturized and in good condition.
▪ In particular, it is a good idea to regularly apply an emollient to your hands
because they are exposed to the elements more than any other part of your
body.
You may also want to use emollients after:
washing your hands
having a bath
taking a shower
▪ Emollients are best applied when the skin is moist and should ideally be applied
to the skin at least three or four times a day.
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10. OTHER TYPES
1) Soap substitutes
▪ Certain skincare products can remove your skin's surface layer of natural oils.These
include:
soaps
shampoos
ordinary bubble baths
shower gels
▪ This can make your skin dry and can further aggravate long-term (chronic) skin
conditions such as eczema.
▪ Soap substitutes, such as aqueous cream or emulsifying ointment, can be used instead
of soap for hand washing and bathing.
▪ Aqueous cream can also be used as a substitute for shaving foam.
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11. 2) Emollient bath additives
▪ Emollient bath additives can be added to a lukewarm bath to help
prevent the loss of moisture from your skin.
▪ Bath additives can make surfaces slippery, so always use a non-slip
mat and be careful when getting yourself or your child out of the bath.
▪ Some bath oils include an antiseptic which can help prevent infection.
However, these products should only be used occasionally unless the
infection is recurrent or widespread.
▪ Never use more than the recommended amount of bath additive, If
the concentration is too high, it may cause skin irritation, particularly
when used with antiseptic bath oils.
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12. 3) Emollient creams and ointments
▪ Emollient creams are less greasy than emollient ointments.
▪ They are easy to spread, absorb easily into the skin and are good for use during the
daytime.
▪ Emollient creams can be used on weeping eczema.
▪ Emollient ointments are most suitable for very dry, thick skin and are not suitable
for use on weeping eczema.
▪ Occasionally, emollient creams may sting when they are first applied to very dry
skin ,This usually settles down after a few days of treatment. If it persists, it may
be due to a reaction to a preservative in the cream.
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13. Emollients are available as:
▪ lotions – good for hairy or damaged areas of skin (such as weeping eczema)
as they are thin and spread easily, but they're not very moisturising
▪ sprays – good for hard-to-reach areas and for sore or infected skin that
shouldn't be touched; quickly absorbed
▪ creams – good for daytime use as they're not very greasy and are absorbed
quickly
▪ ointments – good for very dry, thickened skin and for night-time use as
they are greasy, thick and very moisturising; they're usually free of
preservatives so are suitable for sensitive skin, but they shouldn't be used
on weeping eczema
▪ bath oils and shower products
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15. HOW TO USE EMOLLIENTS
For best results:
▪ Apply emollients and moisturizers after bathing, while the water is still trapped in the
skin
▪ Use at least three times a day, or according to a doctor's instructions
▪ Apply gently, and follow the direction of hair growth
▪ Do not rub up and down as this can lead to itching, block hair follicles, and generate
heat in the skin
▪ Continue to use the emollient after a flareup has cleared, to prevent it from returning
▪ Used daily, nonmedicated products can help to keep mild to moderate cases of
eczema at bay, and they can reduce the need for corticosteroid creams.
▪ Nonmedicated moisturizers have not been found to be toxic, but most are safe
during pregnancy and for pediatric use.
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16. WHEN TO APPLY:
▪ Emollients can be applied as often as you like to keep the skin well moisturized
and in good condition. Ideally, this should be done at least three or four times a
day.
▪ It's especially important to regularly apply an emollient to your hands and face,
as they're exposed to the elements more than any other part of your body.
▪ Certain activities, such as swimming or gardening, can irritate the skin. It may
help to apply an emollient before doing these.
▪ It's a good idea to protect babies' hands and cheeks with an emollient before
meal times to stop them getting sore from food and drink.
▪ Emollients are best applied after washing your hands, taking a bath or
showering because this is when the skin most needs moisture.The emollient
should be applied as soon as you have patted your skin dry to ensure it is
properly absorbed.
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17. REACTIONS OF EMOLLIENTS
Possible reactions to emollients can include:
▪ Irritant reactions:These include an overheating, 'burning' sensation or
stinging. It is usually caused by a reaction to a certain ingredient contained in
the cream or lotion. If the stinging is painful and continues, try a different
emollient.
▪ Folliculitis: Some emollients that work by sealing wounds or cracks in the skin
with a protective barrier (occlusive) can occasionally cause hair follicles to
become blocked and inflamed (folliculitis) and cause boils (painful, red bumps
on the skin)
▪ Facial rashes: Some facial emollients can cause rashes on the face and can
aggravate acne (a skin condition that occurs on the face and commonly affects
people during their teenage years).
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18. APPLICATIONS
▪ For eczema and psoriasis
▪ Moisturizers and emollients are recommended for people with eczema and psoriasis,
at any age.
▪ One study that looked at the feasibility of skin barrier treatment from birth concluded:
"The results of this trial demonstrate that emollient therapy from birth represents a
feasible, safe, and effective approach for atopic dermatitis prevention. If confirmed in
larger trials, emollient therapy from birth would be a simple and low-cost intervention
that could reduce the global burden of allergic diseases."
▪ People with eczema or psoriasis can find soap too drying to the skin , Many bar soaps,
liquid soaps, and cleansers and perfume products can irritate the skin. Emollient soaps
substitutes do not foam but they clean the hands and skin,They can be applied before
washing or in the water.
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19. ▪ Aqueous creams or emulsifying ointments are good alternatives for hand and bath soaps,
because they do not strip the skin of its surface layer, as most soaps do. Aqueous creams
can be used instead of shaving foam.
▪ Bubble baths can dry and irritate the skin, but bathing helps to remove skin and dirt that
could contribute to infection. Emollient bath additives or bath oils added to bathwater
can help prevent the loss of moisture from the skin.
▪ For children who are at risk of developing infected eczema, bath oils with an antiseptic
may offer protection, but these should be used occasionally.The label will state the
recommended amount that should be used. A high concentration may cause skin
irritation.
▪ Emollient creams and ointments are less greasy than ointments, but they might sting
after the first application, especially if the skin is very dry. Symptoms normally settle
down within a few days.
▪ The type of emollient to use will depend on how dry the skin is, and where the emollient
will be applied.
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20. ▪ Emollients can come in bottles, large pump dispensers, tubes, tubs, and jars.They are
mainly sold over-the-counter, without a prescription, but some products need a
prescription.
▪ Patients with psoriasis or eczema have extremely dry skin, so they will need to apply
emollients more frequently.They may benefit more from medicated emollients
which help prevent flare-ups, inflammation, and infection.
▪ These products may be more effective if applied after washing or bathing, when the
skin most needs moisturizing.
▪ Medicated emollients for psoriasis and eczema may contain corticosteroids, salicylic
acid, vitamin D analogs, coal tar, tazarotene, anthralin, tacrolimus, and pimecrolimus.
▪ These should be used with a doctor's recommendation, as some of them they may
cause itching or irritation, and extensive steroid use can have serious side effects.
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21. REFERENCES
▪ TEXTBOOK OF COSMETICS BY BALKRISHNA DUBEY
▪ COSMETICS E BOOK BY SEAN EKINS
▪ INTERNET SOURCE
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