What is the main purpose of emollients in skincare?

Emollients play a crucial role in skincare by providing softness and smoothness to the skin. They act as lubricants that help to fill in the gaps between skin cells, creating a smoother surface and enhancing the skin's overall texture. This property is especially beneficial for dry or rough skin, as emollients can significantly improve hydration levels and reduce the appearance of flakiness or rough patches.

While attracting moisture is also an important function in skincare, this is typically the role of humectants rather than emollients. Balancing oil can be essential for certain skin types, particularly oily or acne-prone skin, but is not the primary function of emollients. Exfoliation is a separate process that involves the removal of dead skin cells, usually achieved through scrubs or chemical exfoliants, and does not fall under the responsibilities of emollients. Therefore, the main purpose of emollients is indeed to soften and smooth the skin, making it the correct choice in this context.