Components, active ingredients and effects of moisturizers and emollients [14, 17, 26, 27]

Moisturizers and emollientsComponentsActive ingredientsEffects
MoisturizersHumectantsUrea
Glycerin/glycerol
Enhancing the capacity of the stratum corneum to retain and attract water
Occlusive agentsHydrocarbons (petrolatum, mineral oil, paraffin, squalene)
Silicones (dimethicone, cyclomethicone, amodimethicone)
Animal and vegetable fats (lanolin, shea butter, grape seed oil, avocado oil, hemp oil, jojoba oil, sesame seed oil, nut oil)
Fatty acids (lanolin acid, stearic acid)
Fatty and polyhydric alcohols (lanolin alcohol, cetyl alcohol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol)
Wax esters (lanolin, beeswax, stearyl stearate)
Vegetable waxes (carnauba, candelilla)
Phospholipids (lecithin)
Sterols (cholesterol)
Forming a semi-occlusive epidermal barrier
Inhibiting water loss
Limiting the penetration allergens
Hydrophilic matricesColloidal oatmealForming a physical protective coating over the skin
Moisturizing
Soothing
Anti-inflammatory
Protecting the skin barrier
Antioxidant
EmollientsProtective and fatting substancesDiisopropyl dilinoleate
Isopropyl isostearate
Castor oil
Propylene glycol
Jojoba oil
Isostearyl isostearate
Octyl stearate
Forming a strong protective film on the skin surface
Providing a slightly greasy thin layer with longer-lasting effect on the skin
Yielding soft and smooth texture of the skin