Dry Skin Emollients: Your Product Guide For Better Skin Care

Through the use of dry skin emollients, any of these substances lacking in the skin, can be restored, stopping further water loss and preventing bacteria or irritants from getting in, which can cause a flare up of dry skin conditions. Healthy skin requires water, natural moisturizing, lipids and oils to keep it pliable.

Dry Skin Emollients

Emollient is an externally applied soothing herb or thickening agent that smoothes and softens the skin, by increasing hydration, or water content, of the outer layer of skin, repairing skin's natural lipid balance, while also reducing inflammation.

This moisturizing cream forms a protective shield that minimizes moisture evaporation and allows increased hydration of dry areas, replenishing the skin's natural supply of oils.

Petrolatum is a commonly used dry skin emollient. Always choose the right dry skin emollients.

Changes occur to elasticity-providing connective tissue, breaking down collagen and elastin in the skin. Emollients reduce roughness, cracking and irritation and may assist with retarding fine wrinkles.

Look for products with Coenzyme Q10 to help maintain firmness and elasticity.

Emollient crème, a fresh lightweight lotion, breathes new life into dry, dehydrated skin and protects with pure extracts, leaving skin looking and feeling soothed, moist and fresh. However, the concentration of functional molecules found in emollient preparations, absorb rapidly into the skin, and the effects are short lived.

You may need to apply an emollient 2 or 3 times a day (or more); it's not unusual to go through 500g of emollient within a week's time.

Basic Action Of Emollients

Emollients have two basic actions, varying according to the water and oil content. One, they act as occlusives, providing a layer of oil on the surface of the skin to slow water loss, subsequently, increasing the moisture content of the stratum corneum.

Secondly, they act as humectants. Humectants are substances introduced into the stratum corneum to increase its water retaining capacity. Because they are metabolized by the skin's own enzymes and are readily absorbed, biodegradable and of edible quality, natural emollients nourish the skin best.

Water, for instance, is the best emollient, but evaporates too quickly to be effective unless used in conjunction with oils in an emulsion. High water content preparations (e.g., calamine) produce a greater cooling effect on the skin, and so are very effective for individuals suffering from pruritus.

High oil content preparations produce a greater sealing effect on the skin, preventing water evaporation. These are more suitable for individuals with very severe dry skin.

You can find emollient preparations in a variety of forms. Creams, generally well absorbed into the skin, less greasy than ointments, and easier to apply, are popular for treating minor dry skin conditions.

Ointments, occlusives, whose bases consist of soft paraffin or a combination of soft, liquid and hard paraffin, greasier than creams, water-free and insoluble, are particularly effective in treating chronic, dry lesions, thickened or brittle skin, or for using at night; and lotions (suspensions, solutions, or emulsions), that cool and soothe hot, dry skin.

Although preferred over creams and ointments, lotions must be applied liberally and frequently. Ideally your skin should be kept moist and supple and not allowed to dry out.

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Conclusion

The terms "moisturizer" and "emollient" are synonymous. Basically, emollients are effective moisturizers, which come in a myriad of formats to help keep the skin moist and flexible, and are often the first line treatment for dry skin, dermatitis, eczema, and dry skin symptoms associated with psoriasis. Comprehensive emollient therapy involves the daily use of an emollient cream, bath oil and soap substitute. When used correctly, mild to moderate symptoms can often be managed effectively, without the need for stronger dry skin treatments. Use the dry skin emollients that you most prefer; you're more likely to stick with the frequent applications, as required, and subsequently, reap the benefits.

Tip: Use a cream that contains Alpha Hydroxy Acids (commonly referred to as "AHA's"). AHA's are derived from sources such as milk, fruit and sugar-cane. These acids gently exfoliate the dry, dead, outermost layers of skin, while moisturizing the regeneration of new layers.

Dry Skin Emollients: Your Product Guide For Better Skin Care

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