Understanding natural moisturizing mechanisms: implications for moisturizer technology.

Dry skin and moisturization are important topics because they impact the lives of many individuals. For most individuals, dry skin is not a notable concern and can be adequately managed with current moisturizing products. However, dry skin can affect the quality of life of some individuals because of the challenges of either harsh environmental conditions or impaired stratum corneum (SC) dry skin protection processes resulting from various common skin diseases. Dry skin protection processes of the SC, such as the development of natural moisturizing factor (NMF), are complex, carefully balanced, and easily perturbed. We discuss the importance of the filaggrin-NMF system and the composition of NMF in both healthy and dry skin, and also reveal new insights that suggest the properties required for a new generation of moisturizing technologies.

Benefits of an emollient body wash for patients with chronic winter dry skin.

This randomized 5-week study assessed the clinical benefits of a high-emollient body wash versus a regular bar cleanser in terms of improving chronic winter dry skin condition. After 4 weeks, subjects who washed daily with a high-emollient body wash exhibited a significant reduction in all dermatologist-assessed dry skin attributes and improvements in self-evaluated skin condition when compared with baseline measures. Those subjects who washed with a regular bar cleanser experienced a minimal to marked increase in dermatologist-assessed and self-assessed dry skin attributes when compared with baseline. These findings suggested that bathing with a high-emollient body wash, as opposed to a regular bar cleanser, can reduce xerosis symptoms and improve skin health and appearance without the additional use of a moisturizer.

Benefits of mild cleansing: synthetic surfactant based (syndet) bars for patients with atopic dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a recurring inflammatory skin disease, characterized by marked pruritus, which usually develops in early childhood. AD is associated with a wide array of symptoms, including itching, dryness, erythema, crusted lesions, and superficial inflammation. Topical steroid cream or ointment with proper washing is a primary treatment approach for AD. Nonsoap-based personal washing or syndet bars containing synthetic detergents or surfactants are milder than soaps; thus, they are widely used by patients with a variety of skin conditions, including AD. The primary goals of this study were to determine the compatibility of syndet bar use with the therapy of AD and the potential benefits of syndet bars compared with subjects' usual cleansing products, mostly soap bars. In this evaluation, 50 subjects (14 subjects were aged < or =15 years) with mild AD on a stable treatment regimen were recruited and asked to use 1 of 2 syndet bars as part of their normal shower routine for 28 days. The severity of eczematous lesions, skin condition (dryness, erythema, texture), and hydration were evaluated at baseline and after 28 days of syndet application by investigators and subjects. Syndet bar use reduced the severity of eczematous lesions, improved skin condition, and maintained hydration. Overall, the results of this study indicate that syndet formulations are compatible with the therapy of AD.

An analysis of cumulative lifetime solar ultraviolet radiation exposure and the benefits of daily sun protection.

Cumulative exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) increases the risk of developing skin cancer, particularly squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma. Thus, the need for protection from the sun is widely advocated, but consumers generally associate such protection with the occasional extreme exposure and tend to ignore the risk of long-term exposure. In fact, a sun exposure model predicts that over a lifetime, a person will receive tens of thousands of minimal erythema doses worth of UVR through normal, daily, incidental exposure. The cumulative effect of casual sun exposure over the years underscores the need for everyday basic UVR protection in which even low level (SPF 4-10) sunscreens are shown to offer significant benefit. Analysis shows that daily protection can reduce lifetime exposure by 50% or more.