Emollients soften
skin (and moisturisers add moisture). They are used to correct dryness and scaling of the skin.
The terms 'moisturiser' (to add moisture) and 'emollient' (to soften) are interchangeable as they describe different effects of these agents on the skin. Basically they have two actions:
which provide a layer of
oil on the surface of the
skin to slow water loss and thus increase the moisture content of the stratum corneum.
which are substances introduced into the
stratum corneum to increase its
water holding capacity.
Some moisturisers contain both occlusives and humectants.
http://www.dermnetnz.org/dna.emoll/emoll.html
