Skin Conditioning Ingredients

Skin conditioning ingredients – also known as skin conditioning agents - is a term that refers to a wide range of substances that help skin look and feel smoother, both immediately and over time.

Skin conditioning ingredients include natural and synthetic emollients, humectants, and occlusive agents. Emollients refer to ingredients that hydrate skin, while humectants are ingredients that attract moisture to skin, and occlusive ingredients form a protective barrier on skin to defend it from damage.

You’ll see these types of ingredients in all well-formulated moisturisers, as they form the foundation for good skin care products that boost and restore skin’s barrier. If your skin is very dry, you will see a decrease in the tight feeling that can come after cleansing and an alleviation of rough, flaky texture.

These ingredients aren’t only for dry skin, though; all skin types benefit from conditioning ingredients (though if your skin is very oily, you will want to avoid very occlusive ingredients and stick to more lightweight skin conditioners, such as hyaluronic and polyglutamic acids). Skin conditioning ingredients are also used in facial and body cleansers, toners, sunscreens, and serums.