Understanding Occlusive Ingredients in Skincare: Benefits and Best Practices

Occlusive Ingredients in Moisturizers and Masks

Occlusive ingredients are found in moisturizers, creams, ointments and masks. Occlusive skin care products have occlusive ingredients that occlude (or block) the skin’s surface. Keep reading for a list of occlusive ingredients in skin care products and to learn how occlusives work.

Are occlusive ingredients right for your Baumann Skin Type? Shop by your Baumann Skin Type to find out.

Occlusives in Skincare

Occlusives are a category of moisturizing ingredients commonly found in skincare products. They mainly come in the form of oily or waxy substances such as vegetable oils (e.g., coconut, olive, and castor oil), as well as ingredients like petrolatum, mineral oil, and beeswax. These substances are typically present in various cosmetic products like lotions, occlusive moisturizers, creams, and lip balms. In skincare, the primary role of occlusives is to create a protective barrier on the skin that helps to lock in moisture and prevent dehydration. Unlike humectants that attract moisture to the skin or emollients that soften the skin, occlusives primarily focus on forming a barrier that seals in existing moisture, thus aiding in maintaining the skin’s hydration levels.

How Occlusives Work

Occlusive ingredients have important functions in skin care products:

Prevent water from evaporating off of the skin

Function as an emollient to coat the skin, fill in ridges, and make the skin feel smooth

Push other ingredients that are put under the occlusive into the skin to increase absorption

Prevent absorption or contact of ingredients and allergens that are placed over the occlusive

Protect skin from allergens, irritants and extreme cold

Occlusives are made of oils, fatty acids, or films and patches such as colloidal membranes. Occlusives in moisturizing creams, ointments, hydrating masks and patches prevent water evaporation off of the skin known as transepidermal water loss (TEWL). They prevent TEWL by putting a protective coating on the skin’s surface.

The pressure of the water that wants to evaporate off the skin but cannot because of the occlusive barrier causes a downward pressure on the skin. This downward pressure pushes in any ingredients on the skin’s surface under the occlusive. The pressure of occlusion:

Increases skin penetration and absorption of the skin care product or medication that is placed under the occlusive.

Decreases skin penetration and absorption of anything such as skin care ingredients, allergens and irritants placed over the occlusive.

Occlusives do not have to be moisturizers or cosmetic products. They are often used to deliver drugs. Occlusives can be oils, ointments, plastic wrap or skin patches. For example, nicotine and estrogen patches are on occlusive patches that push the medication into your skin. Saran wrap occludes the skin and increases the penetration of any medication below it. Oils on the skin are occlusive as well.

Occlusion can also happen when one body part pushes on another. For example, if you have large breasts, the skin under the breasts may occlude the skin at the top of the rib cage. This also happens under the arms and in the groin area. This is why these areas can get rashes and skin allergies to certain products- because the allergens get pushed into the skin by occlusion (the pressure of the skin upon other skin).

Occlusive ingredients, patches, masks or plastic wraps have several functions:

Hydrate the skin by preventing evaporation of water off the skin

Prevent evaporation of any medication or skin care product on the skin

Push ingredients or medications into the skin

Protect the skin from friction

Protect the skin from excessively cold temperatures

Speed wound healing by keeping the wound wet and growth factors on the skin’s surface

Some occlusive agents work better than others. The size and material of the occlusive play a large role in determining its effectiveness of the occlusive. A thick plastic for example would occlude more than a light cream moisturizer. An ointment will occlude more than a lotion or a serum. In skincare, larger molecules tend to occlude better than smaller molecules.

However, skincare products with larger occlusive molecules such as ointments tend to be thick and difficult to spread on your skin. For this reason, occlusives are often formulated in skincare products with other ingredients to help make them more spreadable and convenient to use.

Vaseline and Aquaphor are well known occlusives. There is a new skin care trend in to use Vaseline, Aquaphor and other ointments or oils on top of skincare products to “slug” the skin. Slugging the skin means increasing the penetration of skincare ingredients. Click here to learn more about how to use occlusive ingredients to slug the skin. Jello skin is skin that is full of water due to the use of occlusive skin care ingredients.

Occlusives vs Humectants

Occlusives are a type of moisturizing ingredients commonly found in skincare products. These ingredients, such as oils and waxes like coconut oil and beeswax, create a barrier on the skin that locks in moisture and prevents water loss. Unlike humectants, which draw water into the skin, occlusives do not add moisture but instead focus on retaining the skin’s existing hydration levels by forming a protective seal. Humectants, on the other hand, attract water from the environment or deeper layers of the skin to hydrate the skin. Humectants can increase trans-epidermal water loss if not paired with an occlusive. In terms of product types, lotions typically contain humectants, which are effective in moisturizing the skin, especially when the humidity is above 70%.

Occlusive Ingredients

This list is in alphabetical order. You can click on these occlusive ingredients found in skincare to learn more about how they work. Many have other benefits such as antioxidant or anti-inflammatory benefits.

Argan oil

Beeswax

Borage Oil

Coconut Oil

Emu Oil

Jojoba oil

Lanolin

Mineral oil

Olive oil

Petrolatum

Safflower oil

Tamanu oil

Mineral oil and petrolatum are two of the most effective occlusive ingredients and have been used as effective moisturizers for many decades. Petrolatum and mineral oil are petrochemical byproducts made from crude oil production, so they have a negative impact on the environment.

Environmentally Friendly Occlusives

There are many sustainably grown and harvested sources of occlusive ingredients used in skin care today. If you are concerned about the impact your skin care makes on the globe, consider some of these ingredients.

Argan oil

Avocado oil

Borage seed oil

Coconut oil

Jojoba oil

Marula nut oil

Safflower oil

Sesame seed oil

Shea butter / Shea oil

Sunflower oil

Olive oil*

*Often used as an occlusive on the skin, but it is rich in the fatty acid oleic acid, which can create tiny holes in your skin and therefore damage your skin’s natural barrier. Argan oil is a much better option, as it is high in the fatty acid linoleic acid, which can help to repair the skin barrier and reduce inflammation.

Click here to learn more about fatty acids in skin care.

Here are some of the best oils to use for skin occlusion:

ClarityRx Glimmer of Hope Shimmering Facial Oil

$58.00

Add to Cart

Murad Multi-Vitamin Infusion Oil

$79.00

Out of Stock

Shea Terra MD 100% Pure Moroccan Argan Oil

$24.00

Out of Stock

PAORR By Zerafite Organic Moroccan Argan Oil

$32.50

Add to Cart

ClarityRx Glimmer of Hope Shimmering Facial Oil

$58.00

Add to Cart

Murad Multi-Vitamin Infusion Oil

$79.00

Out of Stock

Shea Terra MD 100% Pure Moroccan Argan Oil

$24.00

Out of Stock

PAORR By Zerafite Organic Moroccan Argan Oil

$32.50

Add to Cart

ClarityRx Glimmer of Hope Shimmering Facial Oil

$58.00

Add to Cart

Murad Multi-Vitamin Infusion Oil

$79.00

Out of Stock

Shea Terra MD 100% Pure Moroccan Argan Oil

$24.00

Out of Stock

PAORR By Zerafite Organic Moroccan Argan Oil

$32.50

Add to Cart

Which Occlusive Ingredients Are Best For Your Skin Type?

The best occlusive ingredients for you depend upon what barriers to skin health you have. To find exactly which occlusive moisturizers, oils, and masks are best for you, shop by your Baumann Skin Type.

In general, occlusive ingredients are best suited to dry skin types that have a hard time retaining water. Occlusives are wonderful at preventing water from evaporating from the skin.

Sensitive skin types often benefit from occlusive ingredients or products because they often, but don’t always, contain anti-inflammatory properties.

Oily skin types might want to avoid some occlusive ingredients with comedogenic properties, like coconut oil, because their skin is prone to acne.

Take the Quiz

Negative Effects of Occlusives

The potential negative effects of using occlusives in skincare include the risk of developing follicular occlusion syndrome. in this syndrome, occlusives block hair follicles leading to painful bumps, acne, and folliculitis. While occlusives can help prevent contact dermatitis by coating the skin and preventing contact with allergens, they may also increase the severity of contact dermatitis and skin irritation if they are used over irritants or allergens. Some occlusives are comedogenic and clog pores.

Occlusives in Your Skincare Routine

Occlusives should be incorporated into your skincare routine by applying them as the last step in your night skincare routine. They will seal in moisture and any serums or creams applied before them. In fact, they help anything applied before them absorb better. (This is called slugging.) Apply following the direction of hair growth to prevent follicular occlusion syndrome. Avoiding vigorous rubbing. Most occlusive products may feel greasy, such as Vaseline, so it’s advisable to use them an hour or more before bedtime to avoid transferring them onto your pillow.

DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek. “Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more. Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals. Sunscreen “We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.” Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup. Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand. Vitamin C Serum “A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging. Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation. Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants. Peptides Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.” Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively. This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek. At-Home Peel Pads Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate. “The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.” According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says. Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection. KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids. Emollient Night Cream “In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.” “Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products. Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid. RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme “The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.

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