Hand Cream Ingredients: Emollients, Humectants, and Occlusives

Effective hand creams combine three ingredient classes:

Class	Function	Examples
Emollients	Soften and smooth skin by filling lipid gaps	Glycerin, petrolatum, mineral oil, lanolin, ceramides, shea butter
Humectants	Attract and bind water from environment/dermis	Glycerin, hyaluronic acid, urea, aloe vera, panthenol, sorbitol
Occlusives	Form hydrophobic barrier to prevent transepidermal water loss	Petrolatum, mineral oil, beeswax, dimethicone, lanolin

How They Work Together

• Humectants draw water into stratum corneum.
• Emollients smooth rough edges.
• Occlusives seal in moisture.
• Result: hydrated, supple, protected skin.

Choose products with all three for optimal barrier repair, especially in dry/cold conditions or after frequent handwashing.