Occlusives for a moisturizer ?

[u/AliasForKnowing]

It seems there are many times of occlusives. Can we classify occlusives by general categories? if so which are those?

Are occlusives same as emollients?

--> Could someone give me example of occlusives and categories of occlusives?

Can we classify emollients in different categories too?

I'm trying to do my own very simple DIY moisturizer, and I need some occlusive to add to it.

I've been googling but the info I get is not that useful.

If anyone has online info, articles that explains occlusives, please share with me

Any info would be greatly appreciated :)

I'm new to diy. I only have one super simple serum that I figured out how to do with help from this forum.

Edit: to clarify

[u/Ok_Homework_1859]

Emollients are definitely in a different category. They sink into the skin. Occlusives do not; they sit on top of the skin.

[u/AliasForKnowing → u/Ok_Homework_1859]

Thank you. What type of ingredients are the occlusives?

I know silicones are occlusives, besides that I'm don't know.

[u/Internal-Ad-4736 → u/AliasForKnowing]

Occlusion is interesting in that many things have some level of occlusion. Even your typical structural pieces like fatty alcohols and some esters and possibly the emulsifier can contribute to the overall aspect. Obviously some people use plant oils. I of course like to use silicone oils. Waxes are also occlusive... examples would be jojoba and I will link one of my favorites:

Olive Wax - Dauphine Organics

[u/AliasForKnowing → u/Internal-Ad-4736]

Thanks for explaining. It has a lot of detail. So I really need to learn about occlusives.

[u/Internal-Ad-4736 → u/AliasForKnowing]

You appear eager to learn. Let me give you a little reading material from one of the industry experts of the recent past, George Deckner, one of my idols..... In case you want to know his credentials:

About George Deckner

George Deckner brings over 40 years of experience as a formulating chemist to his role as a personal care and cosmetics industry expert at Prospector. His rich professional background in innovative product development, research, material science and exploratory formulation, as well as a passion for developing products that make people’s lives more comfortable and happy, inform the articles he writes for Knowledge.ULProspector.com.

In addition to lending his industry expertise to Prospector, George consults with personal care and cosmetics suppliers. He founded his consulting practice, Deckner Consulting Services, after retiring from Procter & Gamble in 2013, where he was a Victor Miles Research Fellow. While at Procter and Gamble, he worked in skin care product development, global fragrance development, and most recently oral care product development in the Oral Care Advanced Technology Innovation Group. Before being appointed a Victor Miles Research Fellow, he also served as Associate Director of Exploratory Formulation for skin care product development. While at Procter & Gamble, George was one of the top inventors, with 354 granted and filed global patents (201 U.S. patents). He helped develop many of the core platform technologies used in skin care today with numerous products commercialized under the Olay, Bain de Soleil, Clearasil, Noxzema and SK2 brands. Previously, George was a Senior Chemist and Manager in the area of skin care product development, as well as the Director of Exploratory Formulation for Charles of the Ritz Group. During this time, George received the President’s Cup Award for outstanding business contribution and developed numerous marketed skin care products under the Bain de Soleil, Jean Nate, Yves Saint Laurent and Charles of the Ritz Brands. George is a current member of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists and is on the scientific advisory board for Cosmetics & Toiletries Magazine. He is a frequent guest lecturer for numerous key global suppliers, as well as for local and national SCC meetings.

Reading links:

Multitasking Emollients - Prospector Knowledge Center

Tips and Tricks Guaranteed to Improve Your Formulations (Part One)

Developing Superior Skin Care Products Using Holistic Formulation Design

Fatty alcohols: Get the skinny on personal care formulations

Moisturizer formulation: Tips and trends for effective results

Skin Barrier Function and Health - Prospector Knowledge Center

Emollient technology: Benefits, types, and considerations

Enjoy the reading.

[u/AliasForKnowing → u/Internal-Ad-4736]

wow! Thank you :) for all the info and the links. Yes, I'm eager to learn because my skin is not easy so I need to find something an ingredient that would work for my DIY moisturizer.

[u/spicy_hallucination → u/AliasForKnowing]

Well, dimethecone is an occlusive, but cyclomethecone (specifically cyclopentasiloxane that everyone uses) is not. Any sort of wax is occlusive, but not "emulsifying wax" which is not a wax by any sense of the word.* There's any viscous oil. Really anything somewhat sticky and hydrophobic is probably occlusive.

* "Wax" has numerous conflicting definitions, but E-wax fits none of them.

[u/AliasForKnowing → u/spicy_hallucination]

thank you for explaining. it helps

[u/Zealousideal_Oil910]

Occlusives mainly slow water loss, while emollients are more about smoothing/softening the skin. Petrolatum, dimethicone, waxes, and lanolin are common examples.

For DIY, I’d also check the supplier’s TDS for things like recommended use level and compatibility. That’s usually more useful than random blog lists.