What are humectants and emollients?

Swimming in skincare terminology? Don't worry. Here's everything you need to know about humectants and emollients: my hard-to-spell, hard-working ingredient types you can hard-ly miss if your skin barrier needs a helping hand.

What is a humectant?

Humectants are like moisture magnets, attracting water from your environment and binding it to your skin. They excel at hydrating your skin from within, helping to plump it up and restore that coveted dewy glow. Think of them as the hydrating heroes that quench your skin's thirst.

Humectant power moves:

• Juicier, hydrated skin
• Helping to keep breakouts at bay
• Balancing oil production

Humectant ingredients to look for

Hyaluronic acid: a tall glass of water for your skin. Glycerin: a sweet hydration magnet. Aloe: the stuff you reach for when you get sunburnt.

What is an emollient?

These clever ingredients are masters of sealing the deal. They form a protective barrier on your skin's surface to lock in all the goodness brought by those friendly humectants, ensuring long-lasting hydration and shielding your skin from external aggressors.

Emollient power moves:

• Increased skin softness and smoothness
• More hydration
• Greater skin flexibility

Emollient ingredients to look for

Ceramides: fatty acids focused on keeping you juicy. Niacinamide: oil-balancing, soothes irritation and redness.

How do humectants and emollients work together?

Humectants and emollients are a match made in hydration heaven. When they team up, the humectants draw in moisture while emollients seal it in, working together to provide intense hydration and maintain that coveted moisture balance.

When your skin needs a thirst trap, reach for my Hyaluronic Acid Body Serum for the humectant hit, then follow with my Barrier Body Creme to lock it all in.

When does my skin need humectants and emollients?

• Whenever your skin feels parched, tight, or lacks bounce. Your skin is screaming for both.
• In extreme temperatures. Humectants and emollients keep your skin hydrated in hot, dry climates and shield it from moisture loss in cold, dry conditions.
• Post-cleanse. Cleansing can strip away natural oils, resulting in dry, tight skin that needs a moisture hit.
• At bedtime. Your skin rejuvenates while you sleep, and that's when humectants and emollients work their best.
• When you're experiencing dry patches, uneven tone, irritation, or body acne. These can be signs your skin barrier needs support. Products rich in humectants and emollients can help repair and strengthen it.

And that's everything you need to know about my hydration power couple. The next step? Trying it for yourself.

x frank