Differences between emollients
STEP 3
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN EMOLLIENTS
Emollients are moisturisers that can be applied to relieve dry skin. The active ingredients are occlusives and humectants; some emollients are either occlusive or humectant, while others can be both.
Occlusive emollients work by forming a protective barrier on the surface of the skin to prevent moisture loss through the skin and to keep allergens and irritants out. Examples include white soft paraffin, liquid paraffin and petroleum jelly.
Humectant emollients have water-attracting properties to both draw moisture from the lower layers of skin as well as retaining moisture within the skin. Examples include glycerine and urea.
THE POWER OF OATS
The Aveeno® product ranges contain colloidal oatmeal, which has been used for centuries to soothe dry, itchy skin. Colloidal oatmeal is an emollient containing fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients shown to benefit the skin.7 As well as softening and soothing the skin, colloidal oatmeal also has anti-oxidant properties that benefit the skin.7
Colloidal oatmeal has both occlusive and humectant emollient properties and works in the following ways:
