The term ‘emollient’ translates to softener or soother. It is usually used on dry, flaky skin to moisturise and nourish. Your skin cracks when its top layer does not contain enough water. This further creates gaps between the skin cells. Emollients are made of fatty substances, known as lipids, that when applied to the skin, fill the gaps between the skin cells, hydrate the skin, and make it softer.
Benefits of Using Emollients
During the winter season, most people have trouble with their dry skin. Emollients have healing properties, so they can be used to soothe the cracked skin. Along with this, emollients can also be used to alleviate brittle/irritated skin caused by the following:
- Atopic dermatitis
- Eczema
- Hypothyroidism
- Psoriasis
- Kidney diseases
- Diabetes
- Radiation therapy
Along with these causes, emollients can also treat irritated skin that may be caused due to certain daily activities such as:
- Showering with very hot water
- Bathing frequently or for a longer period of time
- Excessive washing or cleaning of hands with chemicals
- Using soaps that make your skin dry
- Extreme exposure to the sun or staying outdoors for long
Emollients can help heal and improve any form of scratchy, dry, and irritated skin. So, the best solution is to use products that contain emollients and keep your skin hydrated.
Various Kinds of Emollients
There are different types of emollients that are available in the market and the type that would suit you the best would depend on several factors such as the seriousness of your skin condition, the body part that has been affected, and so on.
Emollients are classified on the basis of how greasy or oily they are. Since emollients are used to soothe the skin, the amount of lipids present in them influences the effectiveness. Emollients, with more oil present in them, work better and help in healing the affected areas of the skin. The different types of emollients are as follows:
1. Lotions
These usually have a very less quantity of emollients present in them as they contain more water. This makes lotions less oily and more liquid, becoming easier to spread on your body. Due to the high water content, lotions can be easily used during the day. But,since it is thin and liquidy, you might have to keep on reapplying lotion as your skin might absorb it faster. Make sure to do a patch test before using a lotion on a daily basis as they contain preservatives and might lead to skin irritation or allergy.
2. Creams
These usually have equal quantities of water and emollients present in them, proving to be a balanced product to apply on the skin. They are more moisturising than the lotions as they are comparatively thick and help to keep your skin hydrated. They are usually heavier than lotions, so creams can be applied at night as well. However, you might want to keep on applying it as the skin will absorb creams faster due to the water content. Creams are the perfect balance of water and oil and therefore they can be used throughout the day.
3. Ointments
These are the greasiest products filled with emollients. They are very thick and they trap all the moisture in the skin, leaving it fully moisturised. Since they are heavy, the best time to apply them is at night as they are not absorbed fast and do not often require reapplication. Since they have a high content of emollients, they are usually difficult to spread on the skin due to the consistency. However, they are the best when it comes to softening dry or cracked skin. Ointments usually do not contain any preservatives, so there are very less chances of an allergic reaction.
Based on your skin type and requirement, you can choose the type of emollient that suits you the best.
How to Get the Best Results by Using Emollients?
In order to get the best outcomes, you must apply emollients on your skin or the affected areas as many times as possible. This would ensure that the moisture is being trapped within the skin cells and the irritated skin is healing. Follow the guidelines below to obtain the best results:
- Use it at least 2 to 4 times a day
- Remember to apply it every time your skin or the affected gets wet
- Make sure your skin is still moist during application as it maximises the absorption
- Apply it within 3 minutes of getting out of the shower and do not dry your skin completely before application
- Dab or gently rub the emollient on your skin
- Use the products consistently so that the skin conditions do not aggravate
Conclusion
Now you know that the emollients are very useful substances that help in healing and soothing irritated and dry skin. It is important to add this to your regular skin care routine for a happy, healthy, and soft skin.
