Emollients are moisturising treatments applied directly to the skin to soothe and hydrate it. They cover the skin with a protective film to trap in moisture. Emollients are often used to help manage dry, itchy or scaly skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis. Emollients are available as: Lotions – good for hairy or damaged areas of skin (such as weeping eczema) as they are thin and spread easily, but they're not very moisturising Sprays – good for hard-to-reach areas and for sore or infected skin that shouldn't be touched; quickly absorbed Creams – good for daytime use as they're not very greasy and are absorbed quickly Ointments – good for very dry, thickened skin and for night-time use as they are greasy, thick and very moisturising; they're usually free of preservatives so are suitable for sensitive skin, but they shouldn't be used on weeping eczema Bath Oils and Shower Products Soap Substitutes Leave-on emollients Emollient lotions, sprays, creams and ointments should be applied directly to the skin. They should be smoothed, not rubbed, into the skin gently and in the same direction that your hair grows, to help prevent hair follicles from getting blocked.  They can be used to replace lost moisture whenever your skin feels dry or tight. They are very safe and you can't overuse them. You may need to experiment with different emollients or try a combination. For example, you may decide to use a cream during the day and an ointment at night. Leave-on emollients Emollient lotions, sprays, creams and ointments should be applied directly to the skin. They should be smoothed, not rubbed, into the skin gently and in the same direction that your hair grows, to help prevent hair follicles from getting blocked.  They can be used to replace lost moisture whenever your skin feels dry or tight. They are very safe and you can't overuse them. You may need to experiment with different emollients or try a combination. For example, you may decide to use a cream during the day and an ointment at night. Leave-on emollients Emollient lotions, sprays, creams and ointments should be applied directly to the skin. They should be smoothed, not rubbed, into the skin gently and in the same direction that your hair grows, to help prevent hair follicles from getting blocked.  They can be used to replace lost moisture whenever your skin feels dry or tight. They are very safe and you can't overuse them. You may need to experiment with different emollients or try a combination. For example, you may decide to use a cream during the day and an ointment at night. Leave-on emollients Emollient lotions, sprays, creams and ointments should be applied directly to the skin. They should be smoothed, not rubbed, into the skin gently and in the same direction that your hair grows, to help prevent hair follicles from getting blocked.  They can be used to replace lost moisture whenever your skin feels dry or tight.

1. Emollients
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Prepared by: Ms. Kajal Pradhan
Assistant professor
M.Pharm. (Pharmaceutics)

2. Emollients
• Emollients are moisturising treatments applied directly to the skin to soothe and
hydrate it. They cover the skin with a protective film to trap in moisture.
• Emollients are often used to help manage dry, itchy or scaly skin conditions
such as eczema, psoriasis.
Eczema Psoriasis: A reddish, scaly rash
Emollients
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What are Emollients?

4. Types of emollients
Emollients are available as:
• Lotions – good for hairy or damaged areas of skin (such as weeping eczema)
as they are thin and spread easily, but they're not very moisturising
• Sprays – good for hard-to-reach areas and for sore or infected skin that
shouldn't be touched; quickly absorbed
• Creams – good for daytime use as they're not very greasy and are absorbed
quickly
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• Ointments – good for very dry, thickened skin and for night-time use as they
are greasy, thick and very moisturising; they're usually free of preservatives
so are suitable for sensitive skin, but they shouldn't be used on weeping
eczema
• Bath Oils and Shower Products
• Soap Substitutes

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7. How to use emollients
Leave-on emollients
 Emollient lotions, sprays, creams and ointments should be applied directly to
the skin. They should be smoothed, not rubbed, into the skin gently and in the
same direction that your hair grows, to help prevent hair follicles from getting
blocked.
 They can be used to replace lost moisture whenever your skin feels dry or tight.
They are very safe and you can't overuse them.
 You may need to experiment with different emollients or try a combination. For
example, you may decide to use a cream during the day and an ointment at
night. 7

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Soap substitutes (emollient wash products):
 Mix a small amount of soap substitute in the palm of your hand with a little
warm water and spread it over damp or dry skin. Rinse and pat the skin dry,
being careful not to rub it.
 You can use soap substitutes for handwashing, showering or in the bath.
They don't foam like normal soap but are just as effective at cleaning the
skin.
 If your skin stings after using an emollient wash product and doesn't settle
after rinsing, ask your pharmacist to recommend a different soap substitute.

9. When to apply emollients
 Emollients can be applied as often as you like to keep the skin well
moisturised and in good condition.
 Ideally, this should be done at least three or four times a day.
 It's especially important to regularly apply an emollient to your hands and
face, as they're exposed to the elements more than any other part of your
body.
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 Certain activities, such as swimming or gardening, can irritate the skin. It
may help to apply an emollient before doing these.
 It's a good idea to protect babies' hands and cheeks with an emollient before
meal times to stop them getting sore from food and drink.
 Emollients are best applied after washing your hands, taking a bath or
showering because this is when the skin most needs moisture. The
emollient should be applied as soon as you have patted your skin dry to
ensure it is properly absorbed.

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Example of Emollient

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 Moisturizing action :This is the most vital action by which they increase the
water content of the SC. Hydration smoothes the skin surface by flattening
the “valleys” between the skin contour ridges. It also makes the skin surface
soft, more extensible, and pliable. The moisturizing action of emollients is
evident maximum 30 min–1 h after their use and usually lasts for 4 h.
 Anti-inflammatory action: Many moisturizers inhibit the production of
proinflammatory prostanoids by blocking cyclooxygenase activity thus have a
soothing effect on inflamed skin
Application

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 Antimitotic action:Moisturizers containing mineral oils have low-grade
antimitotic action on the epidermis and thus are useful in inflammatory
dermatosis like psoriasis, where there is increased epidermal mitotic
activity.
 Antipruritic action: Emollients down regulate the cytokines thus reducing
the itching. Furthermore, cooling effect following evaporation of water
from the skin surface after using water based moisturizers has antipruritic
effect

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 Photo protective action: These days' sunscreens with variable sun protection
factor are incorporated in the moisturizers providing additional sun protection
 Miscellaneous actions:
Quality of life improvement: Having a smooth and hydrated skin plays a good
role in our social life and psychological satisfaction
Antimicrobial action: Act against skin surface microbes
Wound healing: Hyaluronic acid is known to play a role.

15. Safety advice when using emollients
•Keep away from fire, flames and cigarettes when using paraffin-based
emollients. Dressings and clothing soaked with the ointment can be easily
ignited.
•Use a clean spoon or spatula to remove emollients from a pot or tub. This
reduces the risk of infections from contaminated pots.
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•Take care of slipping when using emollients in a bath or shower, or on a
tiled floor. Protect the floor with a non-slip mat, towel or sheet. Wearing
protective gloves, wash your bath or shower after with hot water and washing up
liquid, then dry with a kitchen towel.
•Never use more than the recommended amount of bath additive. It may
cause skin irritation if the concentration is too high, particularly when used with
antiseptic bath oils.
•Be careful of using aqueous cream. It can cause burning, stinging, itching and
redness for some people, especially children with atopic eczema. Read
more information about the safety of aqueous cream on the Medicines and
Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) website.

17. THANK YOU
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