What is the Difference Between Emollient and Occlusive?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between emollients and occlusives lies in their texture and function in skincare products. Here is a comparison of the two:
Emollients:
- Slightly richer and thicker than humectants.
- Soften and smooth the skin by filling in the gaps between skin cells and flakes.
- Help repair any damage on the skin's surface.
- Suitable for dry or aging skin.
- Examples include vitamin E, ceramides, jojoba oil, and rosehip oil.
Occlusives:
- Heavier and more occlusive than emollients.
- Create a barrier over the skin to trap moisture.
- Seal in moisture and prevent water from evaporating.
- Suitable for very dry skin, damaged skin barriers, or inflammatory skin disorders like eczema, psoriasis, or dermatitis.
- Examples include beeswax, lanolin, shea butter, petrolatum, and mineral oil.
In summary, emollients are slightly richer and thicker than humectants, softening and smoothing the skin, while occlusives are heavier and create a barrier over the skin to trap moisture. Both emollients and occlusives are essential components in moisturizers to maintain skin hydration and health.
Comparative Table: Emollient vs Occlusive
The main difference between emollients and occlusives is their function in skincare products. Here's a table comparing the two:
| Property | Emollients | Occlusives |
|---|---|---|
| Function | Soften and smooth skin by filling in the gaps between cells/skin flakes with droplets of oil | Create a physical barrier on top of the skin to keep skin moist and hydrated |
| Consistency | Softer, silky, and less bulkily on the skin | Heavier, greasier, and often stickier |
| Examples | Cocoa butter, shea butter, colloidal oatmeal, squalene, and triglycerides | Petrolatum, lanolin, mineral oil, waxes, silicone, oils, fatty acids, and dimethicone |
| Best for | Dry skin, aging skin | Very dry skin, damaged skin barrier, or inflammatory skin disorders like eczema, psoriasis, or dermatitis |
| Acne-prone skin | Some emollients, like jojoba oil and safflower oil, may be suitable for acne-prone skin | Occlusives can cause clogged pores and further breakouts for acne-prone skin types |
Some ingredients, like petrolatum, lanolin, and mineral oil, have both emollient and occlusive properties. In general, emollients are used to soften and smooth skin, while occlusives create a barrier to retain moisture and protect the skin from external irritants.
- Emollient vs Humectant
- Lotion vs Moisturizer
- Cream vs Ointment
- Moisturizer vs Cream
- Solubilizer vs Emulsifier
- Lotion vs Liniment
- Lotion vs Cream
- Serum vs Moisturizer
- Lipophilic vs Hydrophilic Emulsifier
- Colloid vs Emulsion
- Gel vs Emulsion
- Body Butter vs Body Lotion
- Oil in Water vs Water in Oil Emulsion
- Wax vs Oil
- Cocoa Butter vs Shea Butter
- Cleanser vs Exfoliator
- Aquaphor vs Vaseline
- Serum vs Lotion
- Stabilizers vs Emulsifiers