Conclusion

Emollients are vital therapeutic products in the field of dermatology. They are not just simple inert products, but complicated mixtures of carefully formulated compounds with a range of impacts on the skin. Whilst the knowledge relating to how emollients work on the skin is increasing, and there is a significant body of scientific knowledge in relation to this, there is an enormous scarcity of experimental data to inform how emollients are physically used. This leaves practitioners to make decisions based on first principles and custom and practice. This is a field that would benefit from further research to ensure that emollients are used to maximum effect.