How to Use emollient in a Sentence

emollient

1 of 2 adjective
  • Always start with clean skin, then prep with an emollient face oil or balm.
    — Kiana Murden, Vogue, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Some are gentle and emollient, while others can be harsh and astringent.
    — Grooming Playbook, The Salt Lake Tribune, 7 Apr. 2022
  • Fortunately, a class of rich, emollient cold-weather creams is here to help.
    — Jenna Rennert, Vogue, 15 Jan. 2019
  • Because the formula is so emollient, the finish is subtly shiny, which makes lips look lush and healthy.
    — Kaleigh Fasanella, Allure, 3 Oct. 2020
  • Labour’s emollient approach means that the Tories no longer need to be macho about welfare.
    — The Economist, 11 July 2019
  • Plus, ultra-emollient squalane and jojoba oil combine to nourish and soften the skin for a dewy glow.
    — Grooming Playbook, The Salt Lake Tribune, 7 Apr. 2022
  • Overnight Gel-Cream ($40), a more emollient formula made to hydrate dull skin overnight.
    — Blake Newby, Essence, 26 Dec. 2020
  • Not mascara, lip balm, or even my ride-or-die concealer, but the thick, ultra-emollient ointment that's saved my ass (er, my skin) too many times to count.
    — Kaleigh Fasanella, Allure, 3 Nov. 2017
  • Sunak has been more emollient, making warm calls to European leaders in the days after taking office.
    — Arkansas Online, 26 Nov. 2022
  • Sunak has been more emollient, making warm calls to European leaders in the days after taking office.
    — Jill Lawless, ajc, 25 Nov. 2022
  • Speaking in the courtyard of Louvre last night, Macron celebrated by striking a soothing, emollient tone.
    — Isobel Thompson, The Hive, 8 May 2017
  • The emollient-rich formula is also moisturizing, which helps eliminate streaks when working it into your skin and offers just the right amount of dewiness.
    — Theresa Holland, Peoplemag, 4 Apr. 2023
  • The North’s relatively emollient tone suggests that there remains an opening for the summit to go ahead at a later date and for talks about it to carry on in the meantime.
    — The Economist, 25 May 2018
  • Thankfully rich, emollient hand creams can help alleviate and soothe dry, irritated hands with minimal effort.
    — Daley Quinn, Health, 29 Mar. 2023
  • Using ingredients like shea butter, avocado oil, vitamin E, and green tea, this is an emollient-rich balm that soothes and rehydrates.
    — Rachael Schultz, Health, 12 Apr. 2023
  • Without subjecting you to a chemistry lesson, humectant ingredients must be teamed with emollient ingredients to make an effective lip balm.
    — Jacqueline Kilikita, refinery29.com, 2 Feb. 2024
  • Often, those with dry skin types will benefit from using an emollient-rich body wash that has hydrating ingredients (but of course, this requires knowing what those ingredients are).
    — Joseph Deacetis, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2021
  • Thicker consistencies create an emollient barrier on top of the skin, trapping in the heat and exacerbating the inflammation.
    — Bestreviews, The Mercury News, 30 Aug. 2024
  • The thick, emollient formula is powered by nourishing grapeseed oil, plus, moisturizing powerhouse shea butter and oils like desert dates rich in fatty acids for lasting hydration.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 24 Nov. 2025
  • Next, Devgan recommends adding an emollient moisturizer into your lineup.
    — Kiana Murden, Vogue, 26 Jan. 2022
  • Concentrations under 50 percent allow glycerin to exhibit emollient properties, which help soften the skin.
    — Elise Tabin, Harper's BAZAAR, 14 Mar. 2023
  • Several small randomized trials have found that parents who applied an emollient moisturizer to their infants’ skin each day for the first 6 to 7 months had babies who were less likely to develop eczema than parents who didn’t.
    — Alice Callahan, New York Times, 17 Apr. 2020
  • Get our daily newsletter Hours later, America’s State Department issued a more emollient statement.
    — The Economist, 6 Oct. 2019
  • Both Zeichner and Liverman recommend adding a more emollient moisturizer, as well as an extra-hydrating serum when the temperature drops.
    — Bella Cacciatore, Glamour, 30 Sep. 2019
  • Rich in emollient olive oil, this cleanser effortlessly removes even the most stubborn of waterproof makeup, but also deposits a slew of antioxidants onto the skin, which protect from environmental, free-radical damage.
    — Rachel Jacoby Zoldan, Teen Vogue, 23 June 2017
  • Johns recommends that people apply a thick, emollient moisturizer in ointment form — such as Aquaphor Healing Ointment, rather than relying on creams and lotions, which can have alcohol and cause further drying.
    — Rebecca Gale, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2020
  • There’s a reason why Dior’s Crème Abricot cuticle and nail cream has amassed a cult following since it was created in 1963; the thick and emollient cream helps soothe ragged cuticles and conditions dry nails.
    — Time, 14 Nov. 2022
  • Those with dry skin will want to reach for an emollient formula full of hydrating ingredients, while those looking for a tinted moisturizer with SPF for oily skin should opt for ones with matte finishes and oil-absorbing ingredients.
    — Kristin Limoges, WWD, 3 July 2024
  • This gentle cleanser is formulated with an emollient-rich surfactant and 3% concentration of key ingredients combining allantoin, glycerin, and orange oil to calm irritated skin while softening and restoring the skin’s surface.
    — Grooming Playbook, The Salt Lake Tribune, 13 May 2022

emollient

2 of 2 noun
  • Shea butter, an emollient, leaves skin petal-soft.
    — Sophie Wirt, InStyle, 9 Apr. 2026
  • These oils are all emollients, which are substances that soften and soothe skin.
    — Sherri Gordon, Health, 29 Oct. 2025
  • Hair products should have emollients to smooth the hair shaft and protect from drying.
    — Jasmine Gomez, Seventeen, 1 Oct. 2019
  • Dry skin needs humectants and emollients that prevent moisture loss.
    — Jailynn Taylor, Allure, 1 Jan. 2026
  • Ceramides, oils, and squalane are good examples of emollients.
    — Melanie Rud, Peoplemag, 6 Mar. 2023
  • In real life, an emollient is a lotion for softening the skin.
    — Ruth Walker, The Christian Science Monitor, 29 June 2017
  • Next, prep the skin with an emollient like a face oil or a balm that’s silky and doesn’t absorb right away to avoid tugging your skin.
    — ELLE, 8 Apr. 2022
  • Glycerin follows up as an emollient to lock in moisture and help protect skin from damage.
    — Dallas News, 30 Nov. 2022
  • Wet the hair and add an emollient, such as hair conditioner or natural oils.
    — Oneith O. Cadiz, M.d., miamiherald, 13 Feb. 2018
  • Blotting absorbs the oils and emollients that take the stick out of lipstick while leaving the pigments intact.
    — Ramona Emerson, Allure, 13 Sep. 2017
  • For dry scalps, look for shampoos with emollients like mineral or other natural oils.
    — Lindsay Modglin, Health, 1 June 2023
  • The latest addition, however, adds lip emollients, olive oil and shea butter, to the mix.
    — Devon Abelman, Allure, 1 Nov. 2019
  • Opt for a rich emollient moisturizer and apply it to slightly damp skin to help lock in hydration.
    — Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Your styling products are too heavy Products like waxes, creams, and oils can make your hair greasier too, since they're made with emollients.
    — Sam Escobar, Good Housekeeping, 25 Mar. 2019
  • Almond oil is a great emollient and moisturizer, which keeps your dog's skin hydrated and nourished.
    — Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 28 June 2022
  • Coco-caprylate, derived from coconut, is a natural emollient that both softens and soothes the skin.
    — Grooming Playbook, The Salt Lake Tribune, 26 May 2022
  • The wipes have a triple emollient formula that gently cleans dirt and makeup from your face, leaving you feeling refreshed and ready for bed.
    — Christopher Murray May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Shea butter is a fairly rich emollient that helps moisturize and even forms a barrier to prevent moisture loss.
    — Jennifer Blair, chicagotribune.com, 22 Aug. 2020
  • It’s also made with linoleic acid, a natural emollient that nourishes lashes and brows.
    — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 27 Feb. 2026
  • Opt for a vegetable dye to pick up the variations in your hair color or semi-permanent gloss with tons of emollients and proteins.
    — Hallie Gould, Marie Claire, 3 Dec. 2013
  • Lanolin is a natural product and is typically used as an emollient in skin care products.
    — Dallas News, 18 Jan. 2023
  • The moisturizer, which contains a cocktail of potent emollients, deeply hydrates and soothes the skin.
    — John Monaco, InStyle, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Coconut Oil The rich emollients in coconut oil will also remove water rings.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 10 Jan. 2026
  • After conditioning, a cold water rinse helps the cuticle seal in the emollients.
    — Sarah Manguso, New York Times, 16 Nov. 2016
  • This is why most hand sanitizers contain emollients, which are mixtures that help soften and moisturize your skin.
    — Jeffrey Gardner, The Conversation, 13 Mar. 2020
  • Paula’s Choice recommends using this emollient-rich balm on lips, heels, elbows, and even your nail cuticles.
    — Madison Durham, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2020
  • Instead, look for a product that contains occlusives, emollients, and humectants.
    — Brittany Johnson, Verywell Health, 17 Oct. 2023
  • Look for something thicker with humectants such as glycerin, emollients such as ceramides and occlusives such as shea butter.
    — Jackie Fields, PEOPLE, 30 Dec. 2025
  • An emollient, like shea butter, spackles the cracks between cells, yielding a temporary smoothness.
    — Jamie Lauren Keiles, The New Yorker, 6 June 2017
  • One-fifth of this hand cream is organic shea butter, which functions as an effective emollient (a product that seals in moisture).
    — Popular Science, 18 June 2020

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'emollient.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Last Updated: