This medication is used as a moisturizer to treat or prevent dry rough scaly itchy skin and minor skin irritations e g diaper rash skin burns from radiation therapy Emollients are substances that soften and moisturize the skin and decrease itching and flaking Some products e g zinc oxide white petrolatum are used mostly to protect the skin against irritation e g from wetness Dry skin is caused by a loss of water in the upper layer of the skin Emollients moisturizers work by forming an oily layer on the top of the skin that traps water in the skin Petrolatum lanolin mineral oil and dimethicone are common emollients Humectants including glycerin lecithin and propylene glycol draw water into the outer layer of skin Many products also have ingredients that soften the horny substance keratin that holds the top layer of skin cells together e g urea alpha hydroxy acids such as lactic citric glycolic acid and allantoin This helps the dead skin cells fall off helps the skin keep in more water and leaves the skin feeling smoother and softer