Teaching Primary Care Trust
EMOLLlENTS – A GUIDE FOR PATIENTS WHO
HAVE DRY SKIN
The following short guide will
help you to understand the use of emollients for general dry skin conditions,
and when and how they should be applied.
What are they?
Emollient is just a medical term for a moisturiser that
does not contain any perfume or anti-aging ingredients. Creams, ointments,
gels, lotions, bath oils and soap substitutes are all types of emollients. You may use more than one kind to help your
skin.
How do they
work?
Emollients soothe, smooth and hydrate the skin and are used
to soften dry skin. They work by forming
an oily layer over the skin surface that traps water underneath it, resulting
in softer, more supple skin. This helps
to restore the natural barrier function of the skin so that it will feel softer,
more comfortable and less itchy. Keeping your skin well moisturised will reduce
the risk of cracks forming. This will prevent bacteria and other substances
that can cause allergy and irritation from getting into your skin.
Choice of
emollient?
Choice of emollient depends on the individual. An emollient that is perfectly acceptable to
one person may be completely unacceptable to another3. You should try out different emollients until
you find the one that is effective,
cosmetically acceptable and
one which you are prepared to use regularly3.
¨
Generally, ‘greasy’
products provide the best emollient effect.
However for cosmetic reasons, you may prefer a less oily preparation for
daytime use, or for use on exposed areas such as the face.
When and how should
you use emollients?
The effects of emollient preparations are short lived, and
they need to be applied frequently even after improvement occurs. You can use them as often as you like, even
as frequently as every hour.
Emollient Cream or
Ointment
¨
Use as often as
necessary.
¨
Ointments are thicker
than creams and are better at keeping your skin moist.
¨
Always
apply gently to the skin in the direction of hair growth.
¨
Never rub
vigorously up and down. You may block a hair follicle or make the skin hotter
or start off itching.
¨
The best time to apply
is after bathing (having used an emollient oil or soap substitute in the bath
first) when water is still trapped in the skin.
¨
Try not to put your
hands into large tubs of emollient cream. You may introduce bacteria into the
cream and this could cause a skin infection. If your emollient tub does not
have a pump dispenser then use a spatula to take out the amount you need.
Replace the lid on the tub as soon as possible. This will help to reduce
infection.
¨
You may need to store
some of the runnier creams in a cool place to stop them from getting too runny.
¨
Thicker ointments like
emulsifying ointment can be difficult to apply if they are too hard. It will be
better for you to store these emollients in the airing cupboard. The warmth
will keep them softer and you will find it easier to apply.
Emollient Soap Substitutes
¨
Use these whenever you
would normally use soap such as when you wash your hands.
¨ Soap and detergents are both very drying to the skin, so
use rarely or avoid.
¨
Soap substitutes do not
foam but they will still clean your skin.
How
to use emulsifying ointment
¨
You can use emulsifying
ointment as a soap substitute and in the bath as well as rubbing it straight on
to your skin.
¨ You may find that it is easier to use emulsifying ointment
as a soap substitute or in the bath if you dissolve it first in some very hot
water.
