An emollient is a skincare product designed to deeply soften and hydrate the skin. It forms a protective barrier that helps retain moisture, while repairing and nourishing dry, rough, or irritated skin. Applying an emollient is essential for maintaining skin health, especially in cases of dryness, eczema, or atopic dermatitis. But you still need to know how to apply it correctly to fully benefit from its benefits. Discover in this article how to apply an emollient effectively and the key times to incorporate it into your daily skincare routine.
Why use an emollient treatment on the skin?
Emollient skincare products are designed to soften the skin and improve its hydration. They act like a shield that protects the skin, maintaining its moisture and retaining its water. These products are particularly beneficial for dry, sensitive skin, or those with skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, or atopic dermatitis. Emollient products, such as skincare products and creams, are rich in moisturizing ingredients such as oils and lipids. Lipids are fats that deeply nourish the skin, helping it remain supple and strengthening its natural protection.
The primary role of emollient care is to restore the skin barrier, which is often damaged in people with atopic skin, to reduce dehydration and itching. By restoring skin balance, these treatments help calm inflammation and soothe the skin. Therefore, it's essential to adopt an excellent skincare routine for dry skin to comfort your skin.
The benefits of emollient care
Emollient products have a multitude of benefits for the skin:
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Deep hydration : Emollients provide long-lasting hydration, especially for very dry skin or in cases of dry patches.
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Itching reduction : By soothing the skin, these products reduce itching associated with conditions such as eczema, atopic dermatitis or psoriasis.
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Skin barrier restoration : An emollient treatment strengthens the skin barrier, essential for preventing external aggressions and maintaining the skin's moisture balance.
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Atopic Skin Relief : Emollient skincare provides immediate comfort to people suffering from atopic skin, while reducing inflammation and redness in sensitive areas.
Tips for applying an emollient treatment
Applying an emollient product must be done carefully for it to be truly effective. Follow these tips for optimal application.
Key steps for effective application
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Choosing the right product : Depending on your skin type, choose an emollient treatment that's right for your needs. For example, for dry and atopic skin, opt for a moisturizer or emollient oil with ingredients like petroleum jelly or sweet almond oil.
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Prepare the skin : Apply the emollient to clean, slightly damp skin. This allows the product's active ingredients to better penetrate and deeply hydrate the skin.
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Apply generously : Dispense a sufficient amount of emollient and spread it over the area to be treated. Gently massage in circular motions to promote absorption.
- Focus on dry or irritated areas : For particularly dry skin or areas where patches appear, apply a thicker layer of the product and leave on.

Mistakes to avoid when applying
To fully benefit from the benefits of emollient care, whether it's a cream or another product, it's important to avoid some common mistakes when applying them.
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Apply to dry skin : An emollient treatment should be applied to slightly damp skin to ensure better absorption.
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Using too much product : Although applying a generous amount is recommended, do not overdo it to avoid excess product that may not be absorbed.
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Not massaging long enough : The treatment must be massaged in thoroughly to penetrate deeply. If you don't massage in long enough, the product may not provide all of its benefits.
When and how often should you apply an emollient treatment?
Regular application of an emollient treatment is key to maintaining the health of your skin. But when and how many times a day should you apply this treatment?
Morning, evening: what routine should you adopt?
For optimal effectiveness, it is recommended to apply your emollient treatment morning and evening. In the morning, it will protect your skin throughout the day, while in the evening, it will provide additional hydration and repair accumulated damage. If you have very dry or atopic skin, you can also reapply the treatment throughout the day as needed.
Application according to skin type
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Dry or very dry skin : Apply an emollient cream or oil twice a day. These products will create a protective barrier against dehydration and dryness.
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Atopic or eczema skin : People with skin conditions such as eczema or atopic dermatitis should apply their emollient treatment several times a day to relieve itching and deeply moisturize.
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Normal to slightly dry skin : Daily application may be sufficient to maintain skin hydration without excess
Professional or home service: what to choose?
It's advisable to consult a dermatologist if you have persistent or severe skin problems, such as eczema. A professional will be able to recommend an emollient treatment suited to your specific case. At home, you can also use emollient treatments tailored to your skin type, but if in doubt, seek the advice of a specialist.
Why choose Blue Skincare emollient treatment?
Blue Skincare has developed the Xéro Nacre range, specially designed to improve and provide lasting relief from the discomfort of all dry to very dry skin, prone to psoriasis and atopic (eczema). Among this range of products is the Kerato-Reducing Emollient Care , a treatment suitable for the scalp and body. On the scalp, it helps eliminate scales and dandruff while limiting their reappearance. It helps soothe the scalp, reduce redness and itching.
Thanks to its natural composition, this treatment has demonstrated significant clinical effectiveness on the scalp:
- 87% of users saw visible improvement in their skin
- A 45% reduction in the psoriasis severity score (PASI) in 86% of subjects
- A 78% reduction in itching in 91% of subjects
- A 67% decrease in the intensity of desquamation in 100% of subjects
- 96% of users noted smoother skin and reduced redness
Suitable for the body, the Kerato-Reducing Emollient Treatment smooths scaly skin and roughness, as well as soothes itching and reduces redness. The result: softer, more soothed skin.
It has also demonstrated notable clinical efficacy on the body:
- 86% of users experienced relief from itching
- A 59% reduction in itching intensity in 92% of subjects
- A 32% reduction in sensations of tightness in 100% of subjects
- 72% of users noticed smoother skin
This emollient treatment is ideal for even the most demanding skin, including scalp skin, with visible results from the first use. It enjoys an excellent reputation, with a rating of 4.8/5 and an “Excellent” rating on Yuka, an app that evaluates the composition of cosmetic and food products based on their impact on health.
The specificities of Blue Skincare treatment
Blue Skincare's Kerato-Reducing Emollient Treatment stands out for its innovative mother-of-pearl formulation and targeted effectiveness for skin prone to scaly patches, roughness, and dandruff. Designed for the body and scalp, this product offers a tailored response to the needs of psoriasis-prone skin.
A composition of 99% ingredients of natural origin and high performance:
This treatment combines active ingredients recognized for their benefits on the skin:
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BIONACRE® : a patented ingredient derived from mother-of-pearl, with regenerative properties, which promotes cell renewal and strengthens the skin barrier.
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Lactic Acid and Gluconolactone : Gentle exfoliating acids that help remove dead cells, reducing scales and plaque thickness.
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Prebiotics : They help rebalance the skin microbiome, essential for maintaining healthy skin.
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Colloidal Oatmeal and High Oleic Sunflower Oil : Known for their soothing and nourishing properties, they help calm itching and restore skin comfort.
How to integrate it into your daily routine?
To fully benefit from Blue Skincare's Kerato-Reducing Emollient Treatment , apply it twice daily after showering or bathing to rough, flaky, or thickened areas of skin. Remember to massage gently to promote absorption.
On the body, apply a small amount of product to clean, dry skin twice a day. Avoid application to irritated skin.
For the scalp, apply the treatment in the evening, leave it on overnight, then rinse with a mild shampoo the next morning. This treatment can be used daily during breakouts and once or twice a week for maintenance.
Additionally, you can use this treatment after applying a topical corticosteroid if you are undergoing treatment for specific skin conditions. Topical corticosteroids are medications that have been used for many years in the topical treatment of several dermatological conditions.
FAQ on the application of emollient care
How much emollient treatment should I apply?
The amount depends on the area being treated. A small amount of cream will be enough for the hands or face, while for larger areas like the body, you may need to use more. Make sure the skin is sufficiently moisturized without excess product.
Can you apply an emollient to irritated skin?
Yes, emollients can be applied to irritated skin, particularly in cases of eczema or dermatitis. Emollients soothe and reduce itching while repairing the skin barrier. However, it's important to note that Blue Skincare's emollient is designed to be applied to clean, non-irritated skin. It is recommended not to use it on skin that is already severely irritated.
Are emollient treatments suitable for children and babies?
Emollient skincare products are perfectly safe for use on children and babies, as long as they are gentle, fragrance-free, and formulated without harsh ingredients. Toddlers' skin is naturally thinner, more fragile, and therefore particularly susceptible to dryness, redness, and skin irritations such as atopic dermatitis (eczema).
Daily application of a suitable emollient cream helps strengthen the skin barrier, soothe itching, and prevent dry patches. For babies, it is recommended to apply the cream once a day right after bathing, paying particular attention to sensitive areas such as the face, arms, or skin folds.
The Xéro Nacre range from Blue Skincare contains two natural emollient treatments, particularly suitable for the whole family, from birth:
– Mother- of-Pearl Cream , which soothes, hydrates and smoothes the skin,
– Lipid-Replenishing Oil , which intensely nourishes and strengthens the skin barrier.
This duo is a two-step routine ideal for sensitive skin, even that of infants.
Together, they provide:
- Immediate relief from itching, tightness and redness
- Long-lasting hydration for 24 hours
- Nourished, soft and supple skin
- Reinforced protection against external attacks
These natural emollient treatments are an effective and safe solution to soothe and protect the fragile skin of children and babies on a daily basis.
Should I apply an emollient before or after showering?
For optimal effectiveness, it is recommended to apply an emollient treatment immediately after showering. This is an ideal time because the skin on your body, while still slightly damp, is more receptive to moisturizing active ingredients. By applying an emollient cream or oil at this precise moment, you help retain moisture and strengthen the skin barrier, which is often weakened by hot water and cleansers. This simple step, performed daily, helps prevent dryness, soothe irritation, and intensely nourish the skin. For very dry or atopic areas, it may be beneficial to reapply the treatment during the day. Whether you opt for a lipid-replenishing oil or a rich cream, the important thing is to cover the entire body with gentle movements, without rubbing, to avoid damaging the skin.