Emollients & occlusives in skincare — what they do

Emollients soften and smooth the skin surface; occlusives form a light seal that slows water loss — the "lock it in" step after watery layers.

41 emollients & occlusives in the K-beauty INCI decoder

• Argan Oil — A vitamin-rich oil that conditions and softens skin while helping it feel supple.
• Avocado Oil — A deeply nourishing oil that softens skin and helps replenish a dry, depleted barrier.
• Beeswax — A natural wax that thickens products and forms a protective layer to help skin retain moisture.
• Behenyl Alcohol — A waxy fatty alcohol that thickens creams and leaves skin feeling soft and smooth.
• Camellia (Tsubaki) Seed Oil — A lightweight nourishing oil that softens skin and helps lock in a smooth, supple feel.
• Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride — A silky coconut-derived oil that smooths and conditions skin while helping other ingredients spread evenly.
• Ceramide AP — A barrier-supporting ceramide that helps skin stay resilient and hold onto hydration.
• Ceramide EOP — A structural ceramide that helps seal the barrier and support long-lasting moisture.
• Ceramide NP — A skin-identical lipid that helps rebuild and strengthen the moisture barrier for smoother, calmer skin.
• Cetearyl Alcohol — A creamy fatty alcohol that conditions skin and keeps oil and water blended in a lotion.
• Cetyl Alcohol — A nourishing fatty alcohol that softens skin and gives creams a smooth, stable texture.
• Cholesterol — A natural barrier lipid that works with ceramides to keep skin supple and well-protected.
• Cocoa Butter — A rich plant butter that forms a softening, protective layer to comfort very dry skin.
• Coconut Alkane / C13-15 Alkane — A light, silicone-free emollient that gives a silky slip and softens skin.
• Coconut Oil — A rich tropical oil that deeply softens skin and helps slow moisture loss.
• Cyclomethicone — A fast-spreading silicone blend that adds a smooth, weightless feel and helps products glide on.
• Cyclopentasiloxane (D5) — A light silicone that gives a silky slip and then evaporates, leaving skin feeling soft and smooth.
• Dimethicone — A breathable silicone that forms a smooth protective layer to help skin hold onto moisture.
• Dimethicone Crosspolymer — A bouncy silicone gel that blurs the look of pores and gives a soft, velvety finish.
• Glyceryl Stearate — A gentle emulsifier that blends oil and water while softening and smoothing the skin.
• Glyceryl Stearate SE — A self-emulsifying version of glyceryl stearate that creates rich, stable creams and conditions skin.
• Hydrogenated Polyisobutene — A clean-feeling synthetic oil that adds slip and helps lock in moisture without a greasy finish.
• Isopropyl Myristate — A fast-absorbing ester that adds slip and a non-greasy softness to lotions and serums.
• Isopropyl Palmitate — A smooth ester that conditions skin and gives products a light, easily spreadable feel.
• Jojoba Oil — A wax-like oil very close to skin's natural sebum that conditions and balances without heaviness.
• Lanolin — A wool-derived wax that closely mimics skin lipids to soften and protect very dry areas.
• Mineral Oil — A gentle, non-irritating oil that forms a barrier to slow water loss and keep skin soft.
• Olive Oil — A rich, antioxidant-containing oil that softens and helps protect dry skin from moisture loss.
• PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate — A mild cleansing helper that supports softer foam and helps leave a conditioned feel on skin.
• Petrolatum — A classic protective ointment that seals in water to help very dry or chapped skin stay hydrated.
• Phytosphingosine — A barrier lipid that helps support ceramide production and keeps skin feeling calm and balanced.
• Rosehip Oil — A fatty-acid-rich oil that softens skin and helps support a smooth, even-looking complexion.
• Sea Buckthorn Oil — A nourishing orange oil that helps soften skin and support a comfortable, conditioned feel.
• Shea Butter — A rich plant butter that deeply softens and supports the skin barrier, ideal for dry, tight skin.
• Squalane — A lightweight oil that mimics skin's own lipids to soften and lock in moisture without feeling greasy.
• Stearic Acid — A fatty acid that helps emulsify creams and leaves a soft, conditioned feel on skin.
• Stearyl Alcohol — A softening fatty alcohol that thickens formulas and helps leave skin feeling smooth.
• Sunflower Oil — A light, antioxidant-rich oil that softens skin and helps reinforce its moisture barrier.
• Sweet Almond Oil — A mild, nourishing oil that softens and soothes skin while supporting its moisture barrier.
• Vitamin E — A skin-loving antioxidant that helps protect oils from going off while softening and conditioning skin.
• Vitamin E Acetate — A stable form of vitamin E that conditions skin and helps defend against everyday environmental stress.

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✍️ Written & reviewed by the KoreaPlus Editorial team — dermatologist-informed, cosmetic-science researched & source-cited. Last reviewed: 2026-08-08.

General educational information using cosmetic structure-function wording — not medical advice. Always patch-test new actives. © KoreaPlus.