What Are Emollients?
Emollients are bland, thick moisturizing products—typically creams or ointments with minimal or no fragrances or preservatives—that are applied directly to the skin to add or trap moisture, soothe dryness, and enhance the skin barrier function. 1
Product Characteristics
Emollients come in several formulations with varying levels of occlusion and moisture retention:
- Ointments are the thickest and most occlusive, providing maximum moisture retention 1
- Creams are moderately thick with good moisturizing properties 1
- Lotions are thinner, easier to spread, but less occlusive 2
- Gels offer a lighter texture alternative 2
The key characteristic is that emollients should be bland (free of fragrances, dyes, and preservatives that could irritate sensitive skin) 1
Clinical Applications in Infants
For a 10-month-old infant with a pruritic recurring chest rash, emollients serve multiple therapeutic purposes:
Primary Functions
- Reduce pruritus (itching) through a cooling effect and improved skin hydration 1
- Enhance skin barrier function by reducing transepidermal water loss 1
- Manage xerosis (dry skin) which commonly accompanies inflammatory skin conditions 1
- Reduce inflammation when used as part of wet wrapping techniques 1
Recommended Application Protocol
Apply emollients after bathing (2-3 times per week with water alone or nonsoap cleanser) to lock in moisture and improve skin hydration 1. This approach reduces transepidermal water loss without adversely affecting skin pH 1.
For acute eczematous flares with pruritus, combine bland emollients with low- to mid-potency topical corticosteroids applied twice daily 1. The emollients can be applied at the same time or different time of day to reduce irritation and enhance efficacy of other topical treatments 1.
Important Caveats
- Emollients are not effective for preventing atopic dermatitis in healthy infants and should not be recommended for this purpose 3, 4
- Regular emollient use may slightly increase risk of skin infections (RR 1.34) and infant slippage during the intervention period 3
- Products should be fragrance-free and preservative-free to minimize contact dermatitis risk, particularly in sensitive areas 5