UNDERSTANDING HUMECTANTS, EMOLLIENTS & OCCLUSIVE INGREDIENTS

Moisturizers are essential for skin care and typically fall into three categories: humectants, emollients, and occlusives. Humectants draw moisture into your skin, emollients keep your skin smooth, and occlusives seal in moisture and prevent water loss. For optimal moisturizing, combine these three types of ingredients for soft and supple skin. Let's dive into the details.

Draw In Moisture With Humectants

What Are Humectants?

Humectants are water-loving ingredients that form bonds with water molecules, pulling moisture into your skin from both its lower layers and the surrounding environment. They also help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, leaving your skin looking plump and supple.

The Best Humectants

Common humectant heroes include glycerin, sodium PCA, and hyaluronic acid (HA). HA, in particular, can hold an impressive 1000 times its weight in water. To make the most of HA, opt for a serum like our HA HYDRATING SERUM, formulated with multi-weight HA to deliver hydration deep into your skin.

Lock In Moisture With Emollients

What Are Emollients?

Emollients are skincare ingredients or products that serve to soften and smooth the skin's surface, resulting in improved texture, suppleness, and flexibility. By filling gaps between skin cells, they reduce roughness and prevent moisture loss, making them particularly valuable for those with dry or sensitive skin, providing soothing and moisturizing benefits. 

The Best Emollients 

Emollients encompass various substances, including oils like jojoba, almond, and squalane, as well as shea butter and ceramides. These ingredients are frequently incorporated into moisturizers, creams, and lotions, enhancing skin appearance and texture. 

Our MICROBIOME RESCUE MOISTURIZER has A ceramide complex that restores skin barrier function to minimize redness and irritation while restoring skin softness and health.

Lock In Moisture And Prevent Water Loss With Occlusives

What Are Occlusives?

Occlusives, within the realm of skincare, are ingredients or products specially designed to establish a protective barrier on the skin's surface. This barrier serves the crucial role of sealing in existing moisture and effectively preventing water loss. Unlike emollients or humectants that add moisture, occlusives focus on preserving and locking in the skin's hydration levels. They prove especially valuable for individuals dealing with dry or very dry skin, helping maintain essential moisture.

What are the best occlusives?

Common occlusive components include shea butter, cocoa butter, beeswax, and certain oils with thicker textures. You can often find occlusives featured in skincare products like ointments, balms, and richer creams, designed to provide a robust and lasting protective layer.

Our SHIUNKO FACE OIL offers a multitude of benefits for your skin.  It protects your barrier, prevents water loss, and is infused with fermented botanicals to reduce redness effectively.  It also protects against environmental irritants and minimizes the appearance of fine lines, resulting in a smoother and more resilient complexion.

In summary, humectants are essential for attracting and retaining moisture, ensuring optimal hydration in your skincare routine. Emollients come into play by enhancing skin texture and adding moisture, and occlusives seal in existing moisture while preventing its loss. A well-rounded approach to skincare often involves incorporating products that combine these three elements—humectants, emollients, and occlusives—to cater to various skin needs and maintain healthy, hydrated skin.