Emollients
Introduction
Emollients are topical treatments (treatments that are applied directly to the skin). They reduce water loss from the outer layer of your skin (epidermis) by covering it with a protective film. Emollients are also sometimes known as moisturisers.
Emollients come in several different forms, including:
- soap substitutes
- bath oils
- moisturising creams and ointments
See Emollients - types for more details.
How do emollients work?
Your skin is made up of layers that have several functions, including storing water. Emollients keep the water in the skin where it is needed and allow damaged skin cells on the surface of your skin to repair themselves.
As well as helping the skin to retain water, emollients:
- moisturise dry skin
- ease itching
- reduce scaling
- soften cracks
- allow other topical treatments to enter the skin
When to apply emollients
You can apply an emollient as often as recommended by the manufacturer to keep your skin in good condition and well moisturised. 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:
- hand washing
- bathing
- showering
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.
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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Types
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.
Using soap substitutes
Mix a small amount of soap substitute in the palm of the hand (about a half to one teaspoonful at a time), with a little warm water, and spread it over damp or dry skin. Rinse and pat the skin dry, but do not rub.
If you are using a soap substitute and you are also using anti-psoriasis treatment, apply the soap substitute first. Allow 30 minutes after using a soap substitute before applying the anti-psoriasis treatment.
Some people may have a reaction to aqueous cream when it is used as an emollient. For this reason, it is recommended only as a soap substitute and not as a ‘leave on’ emollient. However, if after using aqueous cream, your skin stings and it does not settle down after rinsing, talk to your pharmacist, or GP, about an alternative soap substitute.
Emollient bath additives
These emollients can be added to a lukewarm bath to help prevent the loss of moisture from your skin. Bath additives can make surfaces slippery, so you should 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 because if the concentration is too high, it may result in skin irritation, particularly when used with antiseptic bath oils.
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. Find one that is best suited to your, or your child’s, condition and lifestyle.
Occasionally, emollient creams may sting when they are first applied to very dry skin. This normally settles down after a few days of treatment but, if it persists, it may be a reaction to a preservative in the cream. If this happens, talk to your pharmacist, or GP, about possible alternative emollients, such an emollient ointment.
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How to use it
Emollients are available in tubes, tubs and larger pump dispensers. They can either be bought over the counter from your pharmacy or prescribed by your GP. If you or your child need to use an emollient regularly, it is a good idea to keep some at home or at school in small pots or tubes.
Your pharmacist may also be able to provide you with small, labelled containers. Wash, dry and rinse the container thoroughly before filling and refilling it. Keep the container labelled, or if the label gets too greasy and keeps coming off, keep it in a labelled plastic bag.
How to use emollients
You should apply as much emollient as you need to keep your skin feeling well moisturised. It should be applied as generously and as often as possible.
Emollients can be used to replace lost moisture whenever your skin feels dry, or tight. Emollients are very safe and you cannot overuse them because they do not get absorbed through your skin into your body.
A good routine to prevent and treat dryness is outlined below.
- Use a soap substitute for cleansing all areas of your body.
- Use moisturising bath oil in your bathwater, or as you shower.
- Pat yourself dry with a towel, rather than rubbing, after a bath or shower.
- Apply an emollient cream, or ointment, as often as necessary after bathing, or showering, and between washing.
If you have a dry skin condition, such as eczema, or psoriasis, you may need to use emollients more often. In such circumstances you should use a medicated emollient even when your skin feels better to help prevent patches of inflammation (swelling) and flare-ups. Dry skin is more prone to infection.
See the topics about Eczema and Psoriasis for more information and advice about these skin conditions.
Whether you are prone to dry skin or not, it is important to use an emollient cream, or ointment, after washing, or bathing. This is when your skin is most in need of moisture. Apply an emollient as soon as you have patted your skin dry to ensure that it is properly absorbed.
Try small quantities of several different emollients until you find one that you like. You may need to try a variety of different emollients before you find one that is best suited to you or your child. For example, you might choose a cream based emollient for the daytime and an ointment base for night time.
Reactions to 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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