Glossary · Formulation
What Is Emollient?
An emollient is an oil-phase ingredient that softens and smooths skin by filling the gaps between surface cells and improving the way light reflects from the skin. Common cosmetic emollients include esters, natural oils, silicones and fatty alcohols, and the choice shapes a product's spreadability, after-feel and cost.
Why it matters when you source
Emollients are the ingredient class most responsible for how a cream feels, which makes them the first thing a formulator adjusts when a texture is wrong. When you compare samples, describe the feel you want — rich, dry-touch, quick-absorbing — rather than naming an ingredient.
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