rkillings Jan 20, 2010:

It's not as if these are different from 'inactive' or 'passive' emollient ingredients. "Emollients are thought of as passive or low-grade treatments. This seems now to be incorrect, as there is increased evidence that using emollients well and often also dampens the immune reactions within the skin that contribute to eczema." (http://www.wonder-glove.com/skin_barrier.htm) IOW, it's marketing spin :-)