Components of cosmetics: emollients
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Emollients - this is one of the main components of modern cosmetics. Let's consider the features of these substances, their useful properties for the skin, and how to recognize them in the makeup.
Emollients are a fatty component of cosmetics. These substances penetrate the stratum corneum, but do not affect the deep layers of the skin. Emollients give the skin a well-groomed appearance, smoothness, elasticity and silkiness, but do not have a physiological effect. The effect of the action of emollients is due to the fact that the substances are firmly fixed in the stratum corneum. Emollients can be presented in the form of natural fats, fatty alcohols, lanolin, waxes, ethers or silicones. As part of cosmetics, emollients are referred to as mineral oil, stearic alcohol, cesarin or dimethicone. Emollients give cosmetic means of lightness, allow to be well absorbed and distributed over the skin.
But in addition to positive properties, emo-dents can affect the skin and negatively. So, in cheap cosmetics, dangerous fatty acids are used as emollients, which cause comedogenic dependence, penetrating into the stratum corneum and remaining there. Comedogenic dependence appears due to lanolin, coconut oil and isostearic alcohol. As a result of exposure to these substances, pimples or a mild rash appear on the skin. That is why, when choosing a cosmetic for body and face care, special attention should be given to the composition of cosmetics.
To date, more and more manufacturers of cosmetics have abandoned the use of unsafe skin emollients and replaced them with silicones. Silicone emollients in cosmetics do not affect living cells and make the use of cosmetics safe.
What is the emotion?
What is the emollient is the fat component of cosmetics. Emollients are responsible for consumer properties of cosmetic products. Thanks to emollients, creams and lotions are well distributed over the skin and absorbed. Make the skin of the body and face gentle, silky, supple. Emollients are present in both professional cosmetics and decorative products. It depends on their availability, how long the makeup will last, and how it will look on that or other type of skin.
When applied to the skin, the emollients remain on the surface, gradually penetrating the stratum corneum. Thanks to this, make-up can take so long. But not all emollients are safe for the skin. Some can cause an allergic reaction and the appearance of acne. Typically, this happens when using low-quality and cheap cosmetics. In modern cosmetology, emolentes are replaced with silicones. These substances have the same effect as the emollients, but do not cause addiction or negative reactions. In addition, thanks to silicones in cosmetics, manufacturers can regulate the fat content of creams, the consistency and consistency of shampoos, lotions and other consumer properties of cosmetics.
The mechanism of action of emotions
Emolent in English means "a means of mitigation," which fully reflects its main task - to soften the skin. We can say that the effect of the cream applied to the skin is a 99% effect of the emollients. Emollients do not penetrate deep into the skin, respectively, do not have any effect on living cells. Their action in the full sense of the word cosmetic is a temporary improvement in the appearance of the skin without active intervention in its physiology.
Emollients are fats and fat-like substances that have the property of being fixed in the stratum corneum, making the surface of the skin smooth and soft to the touch. As emollients, fatty alcohols, waxes, esters, natural fats and oils, as well as some silicone compounds (so-called silicone oils) are used. The most common are the following emollients: ceresin, mineral oil, wax (bees, carnauba, candelilla), isopropyl palmitate, stearyl alcohol, castor oil, as well as dimethicone and cyclomethicone silicones.
Emollients largely determine the consumer qualities of cosmetic products - ease of distribution on the skin, absorbency, appearance, sensations after application to the skin (a sense of smoothness, softness, silky). Particularly important is the selection of fat components in decorative cosmetics, because it depends on how evenly the make-up will stay, how long it will last, etc.
It is not surprising that emo-lovers are most often chosen for marketing reasons, practically without regard to their effect on the skin.
In modern cosmetics, silicone oils are increasingly used as emollients, leaving the role of active additives to organic fats and oils. Silicones meet the basic criteria of emollients much better: when applied to the skin, stay on the surface, temporarily smoothing and softening it, and not influencing the living cells. Biological inertness of silicones is the guarantee of their safety.
The popularity of silicones is also explained by their special consumer qualities. They are not sticky and leave a feeling of softness on the skin. With the help of silicones, you can create a wide range of cosmetics, starting with creams and shampoos and finishing with decorative cosmetics. Moreover, silicones allow you to control the properties of cosmetic products - you can create a composition that will be felt by the consumer as more light or, on the contrary, more fatty, leave a protective film on the skin or hair, give lipstick or tonal cream stability.
Emolent cream
Emolent cream is an excellent tool for skin care of face and body. The main effect of emollient cream is that after the first use it makes the skin well-groomed, tender, elastic, eliminates dryness and roughness. Since emolent is a fatty component of a cosmetic, let's look at the most popular emollients.
- Emolents from petroleum products - such substances include mineral oil, paraffin and petroleum jelly. These substances do not penetrate deeply into the skin and are biologically neutral. They form a thin film on the skin and prevent the evaporation of water.
- Paraffin is a colorless substance that melts when heated. It is he who gives fat to cosmetic products.
- Paraffin jelly or Vaseline - forms an invisible film on the skin, which has a moisturizing effect.
- Mineral oils are perfectly absorbed by the skin and like the previous emollient form a thin film to retain moisture in the skin.
Emothenes with atopic dermatitis
Emollients with atopic dermatitis have a curative and preventive effect. But these substances are useful only if they are absolutely safe and do not become a cause of comedogenic dependence. Atopic dermatitis is an inflammatory allergic skin disorder, which often has a chronic form. The main symptom of the disease is severe itching. As a rule, the disease appears in early childhood and has three stages of development, which replace each other as the patient grows up.
Emothenes with atopic dermatitis have a therapeutic effect, they soften the skin and relieve itching. In addition to cosmetic products with emollients, people with atopic dermatitis prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs for external use. External therapy with atopic dermatitis is the most effective method of treatment, and funds with emollients are an ideal choice for the treatment and care of ailing skin.
Emoent for children
Emollients for children provide cleansing and moisturizing of the skin. They prevent the appearance of dryness and form a protective barrier layer on the skin, which restores the water-lipid balance of the skin. The main purpose of using emollients for children is to restore the damaged skin area. Emollients are indispensable in the treatment of atopic skin dermatitis.
Emollients for children can be in a liquid and creamy form. The use of one form or another depends on skin problems. So, if the child has dry skin and peeling, the advantage is given to light creams and milk to care for with emotions. If atopic dermatitis is manifested in the pronounced dryness of certain areas of the body, it is recommended to use cream and ointments with emollients. The frequency of use depends on the degree of skin damage, but should not exceed four procedures for putting emo-lovers on baby skin per day. Daily use of children's cosmetics with emollients is an effective prevention of atopic dermatitis and excellent care for tender baby skin.
Emollients in cosmetics
Emollients in cosmetics are a fat component of the remedy. Translated from English, emollient sounds like a means of mitigation and this fully reveals the basic functions and properties of these substances. Many cosmeticians claim that the effect of the first use of the product is 90% dependent on the quality of the used emo- lents. That's how they are responsible for the consumer qualities of cosmetics. And this is absorbency, distribution on the skin and the result after use. Thanks to emotion, after the first application of cosmetics you can feel that the skin has become softer, more tender, more elastic.
Emolents are fats that penetrate the horny layer of the skin and are fixed there. Due to this, the skin becomes soft, tender and more well-groomed. More and more manufacturers prefer silicone oils as emollients. These substances have no effect on living skin cells, and the biological inertness of silicones is a guarantee of safety for the body. Silicones are also popular because of their consumer characteristics. With their help creates a wide range of cosmetics, everything from shampoos and hair balms to make-up. Silicones are emollients that give stability to cosmetic products, make it possible to produce cosmetics for any type of skin and consumer wishes - light and fatty creams, firm lipsticks, foundation creams and much more.
Emollients are an indispensable component of cosmetics. Emollients are responsible for the consumer characteristics of cosmetics and its properties. In addition, emollients help in the treatment of atopic dermatitis in both adults and children. And this proves the necessity of their presence in cosmetics, for full-fledged skin care.