Moisturizers in Clinical Practice: Applications for Inflammatory Skin Diseases

Moisturizers are vital in managing inflammatory skin conditions by restoring barrier function, reducing dryness, and supporting overall skin healing.

 Moisturizers comprise several components that work together to protect and restore the skin barrier. Occlusive agents form an airtight film to suppress water loss, emollients provide softness and smoothness, humectants increase water content in the stratum corneum, and lipids such as ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids maintain barrier function. Most formulations are prepared by mixing oil-soluble and water-soluble ingredients, with additional components such as emulsifiers, preservatives, fragrances, and active cosmetic drugs. Many of these ingredients perform multiple roles.

The lipid matrix of the stratum corneum serves two essential functions: preventing excessive water loss and blocking harmful compounds from penetrating deeper layers. To support this, moisturizers containing physiological lipid mixtures of ceramide or pseudoceramide, cholesterol, and fatty acids are developed in ideal ratios (1:1:1 or 3:1:1). When applied with occlusive agents, they restore dry skin by immediately preventing water loss while gradually repairing the barrier. Such products are beneficial in atopic dermatitis, where barrier function is impaired.

Dry skin is a common condition caused by both external factors, such as climate and lifestyle, and internal factors, such as medication, hormonal changes, or reduced natural moisturizing factors. Symptoms range from tightness and roughness to scaling, redness, cracks, and fissures. Proper care includes using moisturizers with balanced hydrophilic and hydrophobic components, minimal allergens, and cleansing with mild synthetic detergents instead of alkaline soaps.

Moisturizers are essential in daily skin care and serve as adjuvant therapy for skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, acne, and rosacea. Their correct selection, based on scientific evidence, ensures both safety and effectiveness.

Reference:

1. Kang S-Y, Um J-Y, Chung B-Y, Lee S-Y, Park J-S, Kim J-C, Park C-W, Kim H-O. Moisturizer in patients with inflammatory skin diseases. Medicina. 2022;58(7):888. doi:10.3390/medicina58070888 https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/58/7/888