Emollients

Emollients are substances that are added to hair care formulations to help hair strands feel smooth and soft. They work by creating a thin film on the surface of the hair, which helps to trap moisture and prevent it from escaping. This helps to moisturize the hair, which can help maintain hair softness or smoothness.  It's important to keep in mind the difference between moisture and hydration, water hydrates the hair where as most emollients lock in the moisture.

 

Apart from moisturizing the hair, one of the main benefits of using emollients in hair care is that they can help to reduce frizz and flyaways. They work by smoothing down the cuticle of the hair, which is the outermost layer that can sometimes become lifted and rough. Emollients can also help to detangle the hair, making it easier to comb or brush.

 

Being a very broad term, there are several categories of emollients used in hair care, you would be even surprised to know that some humectants and occlusive are also classed as emollients, because of their ability to soften and smoothen the hair. 

 

Natural Emollients:  These emollients are derived from natural sources such as plant oils, butters, and waxes.

 

Synthetic Emollients: These are emollients that are derived from synthetic sources, such as silicone oils, petrolatum, and mineral oil. 

 

In both natural and synthetic emollients, we have the following categories:

 

Hydrophilic Emollients: These are emollients that are water-soluble and help to hydrate and moisturize the hair. Examples include glycerin, propylene glycol, and urea.

 

Lipophilic Emollients: These are emollients that are oil-soluble and help to soften and smooth the skin. Examples include mineral oil, petrolatum, and dimethicone.

 

Natural and Synthetic Blend Emollients: These are emollients that are a combination of natural and synthetic sources. They provide a balance of benefits from both sources and can be used to improve the sensory properties of a product. Examples include Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Jojoba Esters, and Squalane.

 

When choosing a hair care product that contains emollients, it's important to consider your hair type, climate, your personal stance such as CGM or environmentally friendly, etc, and any specific concerns you may have. For example, if you have fine hair that becomes easily weighed down, you may want to look for a lightweight formula that contains emollients. On the other hand, if you have thick, curly hair that tends to be dry, you may want to look for a more moisturizing formula that contains a variety of emollients.