Topical emollients

Topical emollients is a substance that helps soothe, soften, and increase moisture levels, especially in the skin. Topical emollients may be used in a lotion, cream, ointment, or gel to prevent or treat dry, rough, scaly, itchy skin and other skin problems, such as rashes or burns.

Examples of Topical emollients are ingredients like plant oils, mineral oil, shea butter, cocoa butter, petrolatum, and fatty acids (animal oils, including emu, mink, and lanolin, the latter probably the one ingredient that is most like our own skin's oil).

Technically, Topical emollients is a non-cosmetic moisturizer, named as such because they are used in a medical capacity to hydrate and condition severely dry skin, often in the prevention of eczema flare-ups. A moisturizer is the cosmetic term for a cream, ointment or lotion that feeds moisture into the skin.

Apply Topical emollients liberally to the affected area of skin. Topical emollients should be applied by smoothing them into the skin along the line of hair growth, rather than rubbing them in. You cannot overdose, as emollients do not contain active medicines which pass through the skin.

Emollients can be applied as often as you like to keep the skin well moisturized and in good condition. 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.

Natural emollients such as certified organic cold-pressed almond oil, jojoba oil, sunflower oil, olive oil, hazelnut oil, avocado oil, safflower oil, wheat germ oil, apricot kernel oil, and natural waxes such as unrefined beeswax, shea butter and cocoa butter, are a preferable alternative.

Emollients should be applied to the skin in a downward direction of hair growth and left in a thin layer to soak in – this may take 10 minutes.

• Apply Topical emollients whenever the skin feels dry and as often as you need. This may be two to four times a day or more.
• Apply Topical emollients immediately after washing or bathing when skin has been dabbed dry.
• Topical emollients can and should be applied at other times during the day, for example in extreme weather to provide a barrier from the cold.
• You should continue to use Topical emollients after your skin condition has cleared if the clinical condition justifies continued use. Your doctor or nurse will be able to advise you.

• Paraffin-based emollients are flammable so please take care near any open flames or potential causes of ignition, such as cigarettes.
• Ointments and creams used in the bath and shower can make the surface slippery so take extra care.
• If you find an emollient is making your skin sore and/or very itchy, you may be allergic to one of the ingredients and you should discuss this with your doctor or nurse.
• If you are having ultraviolet light treatment or radiotherapy, ask for specific guidance on emollient use as instructions may differ slightly.

There is no ‘best emollient’. The type (or types) to use depends on the dryness of the skin, the area of skin involved, and what is comfortable and acceptable to you. More than one emollient may be required for use at different times of the day or for when the skin condition is more active.

Step 1 Wash your hands to remove invisible bacteria. 

Step 2 Do not put fingers into tubs to scoop out the ointment as you may introduce bacteria into the ointment. To reduce the risk of infection, transfer some emollient onto a clean plate using a clean desert spoon. If you have a cream in a tub with a pump top, you can pump directly onto your hand. 

Step 3 Emollients should be applied to the skin in a downward direction of hair growth and left in a thin layer to soak in – this may take 10 minutes. Please do not rub emollients in.