The three components that combine to soothe your skin
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’ve mentioned Vaseline and Aquaphor more than once for their skin-loving properties. They’re made primarily from petrolatum, which is an occlusive.
Occlusives are a type of ingredient usually found in moisturizers. They act as sealants, keeping in whatever is on the skin. Occlusives don’t do any hydrating or softening on their own; they simply form a barrier to ensure that nothing on or under the skin can get out. (Alternatively, in the case of wound care, they prevent anything from getting in.)
Our skin is constantly losing water via transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Water moves up through the layers of skin and evaporates into the air. Our bodies release about 1.5 cups of water a day through this passive process. It’s a separate function from active sweating; it can happen even while lying on the couch.
The process of TEWL can be exacerbated by low-humidity conditions, which causes even more water to be drawn away from the skin, as well as by harsh skin treatments that can cause gaps in the skin barrier through which even more water can escape. The less water there is in the skin, the more dry, cracked, irritated, and tight the skin is. Occlusives help offset TEWL by sealing in the water.
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