emollient

1 of 2

adjective

emol·​lient i-ˈmäl-yənt 

1

: making soft or supple

also : soothing especially to the skin or mucous membrane

an emollient hand lotion

2

: making less intense or harsh : mollifying

soothe us in our agonies with emollient words

—H. L. Mencken

emollient

2 of 2

noun

: something that softens or soothes

Did you know?

The noun emollient is used most often in reference to a substance—such as an oil, cream, lotion, butter, or balm—used to treat someone's skin or hair. Perhaps unsurprisingly, it traces back to a Latin word, the verb emollire, meaning "to soften or soothe." Emollire, in turn, formed in part from the adjective mollis, meaning "soft." (Another descendant of mollis is mollify, which means "to make softer in temper or disposition.") Emollient first appeared in print in English in the early 1600s as an adjective with the meaning "making soft or supple," describing things such as herbs, medicines, and poultices; the noun arrived on the scene soon after.

Examples of emollient in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

For dry skin, look for a richer, more emollient moisturizer. —Cierra Black, Essence, 23 Apr. 2025

Plus, emollient ingredients help prevent flaking once the product has dried out. —Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 14 Feb. 2025

Noun

Non-active ingredients, namely ingredients that do not have a therapeutic effect (such as emollients, surfactants, and emulsifiers), cannot currently compete because they are not designed to target specific skin conditions. —Joshua Britton, Time, 2 Apr. 2025

Creams, lotions, and gels containing urea are often humectant emollients with a large occlusive effect—or the ability to prevent water loss and keep your skin hydrated—and can last six to 24 hours. —Sherri Gordon, Health, 19 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin emollient-, emolliens, present participle of emollire to soften, from e- + mollis soft — more at mollify

First Known Use

Adjective

1626, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1656, in the meaning defined above

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Medical Definition

emollient

1 of 2 adjective

emol·​lient i-ˈmäl-yənt 

: making soft or supple

also : soothing especially to the skin or mucous membrane

emollient

2 of 2 noun

: an emollient agent

an emollient for the hands