Humectants, Occlusives & Emollients: Your Glowing Skin Essentials
When it comes to glowing, strong and healthy skin there are 3 essential components to look out for in your skincare products: humectants, occlusives and emollients. While each performs a different function they all work together to ensure your skin stays hydrated and smooth; in tip-top condition.
Humectants
Humectants are substances that attract water (either from the air or deeper in your skin). They bind with water, to offer hydration. In addition, some humectants also break down the dead skin cells clogging your skin's surface. These are ingredients like Alpha Hydroxy Acids (aka AHAs).
Some humectants also function as emollients, just as some humectants are also occlusives.
Common Humectants:
Hyaluronic acid, Honey, Urea, Peptides, Amino acids, Panthenol, Glycerin, Aloe vera, AHAs
Products to Find Them In
Occlusives
Occlusives are moisturising ingredients that create a barrier on the surface of the skin to lock in moisture. By mimicking the skin's natural lipid barrier, they help seal in moisture and prevent water loss. They also have protective properties.
Common Occlusives
Petrolatum, silicones, waxes, most oils and butters
Products to Find Them In:
Emollients
Emollients are moisturising ingredients that cover the skin with a protective film to trap in moisture. They soothe and hydrate it, filling the gaps and cracks that make your skin feel rough. They also help repair and strengthen the skin’s barrier.
Common Emollients
Shea Butter, Squalene & Squalane, Colloidal Oatmeal, Cocoa butter, Petrolatum, lanolin, mineral oil and dimethicone
Products to Find Them In
TL;DR: Humectants, Occlusives & Emollients: Your Glowing Skin Essentials
The skin needs a range of hydrating and moisturising ingredients in order to stay strong, healthy, smooth and prevent water loss. However, even though occlusives, humectants and emollients perform different functions in skincare products in reality, your skin needs them to work together.
For humectants to do their job, they need to stay in your skin, which is why most products combine humectants with occlusives to make sure that moisture doesn’t escape into the air. Adding emollients to a skincare formula creates a smooth surface. You'll find these three skincare components in a range of different skincare products from lip masks to serums, toners and moisturisers.