The skin provides the essential functions of serving as a permeability barrier, protecting against desiccation, and responding to environmental stressors, infections, irritants, and allergens. As the outermost layer of the skin, the stratum corneum (SC) contains a network of corneocytes embedded in a lipid matrix that provide the barrier function and protect against transepidermal water loss (TEWL). The lipid matrix in the SC contains lipids organized in a specific ratio: ceramides (40-50 percent), cholesterol (25 percent) and free fatty acids (10-15 percent).1 The corneocytes contain natural moisturizing factor (NMF), which is a collection of hygroscopic molecules including amino acids that retain water in the cells.2
It is well established that a variety of external and internal factors lead to a decrease or disturbance of SC lipids, thereby increasing water loss from the SC and contributing to xerosis. External factors known to decrease SC lipids include certain chemicals, allergic contact dermatitis, irritant contact dermatitis, and climate extremes. Internal factors that decrease SC lipids include extremes of age, acute psychosocial stress, sleep deprivation, diet, as well as a variety of skin diseases.3 The prototypical disease associated with dry skin is atopic dermatitis (AD), but a variety of other conditions have decreased lipid levels, including psoriasis, acne vulgaris treated skin, and rosacea.4 The skin barrier is maintained, in part, by filaggrin, a key SC protein that influences a number of pathways, including maintenance of SC ceramides, and also contributes to the production of NMF.5 Filaggrin mutations have consistently shown to be associated with the development of AD.6
In healthy skin, lipid homeostasis in the SC is maintained tightly. An insult to the SC barrier typically results in a cascade that quickly returns the proper type and amount of lipids to the epidermis to restore barrier function. However, in skin affected by various disease states, the ability of the SC to regenerate the appropriate amount of lipids is impaired and as such, a prolonged barrier dysfunction ensues.3
To counter this barrier dysfunction, moisturizers have a long-standing history of use on diseased skin. Moisturizers, in the form of lotions, creams, or ointments, and sometimes even gels or foams, improve skin hydration, provide comfort, and decrease itch. Moisturizers can include humectants (e.g. urea, glycerol, lactic acid) that attract water to the SC and therefore compensate for reduced levels of NMF; occlusives (petrolatum, mineral oil, dimethicone) that form a layer on the skin surface and prevent TEWL; and emollients (lanolin, glycerol stearate, glyceryl stearate) that soften the skin and make it smoother. The terms “moisturizer” and “emollient” are often used interchangeably in the literature in a dermatologic example of metonynmy.7 While it makes logical sense to include adjuvant ingredients, such as ceramides, fatty acids, urea and glycerol, in moisturizers, we are currently lacking strong evidence that these products truly improve moisturizer efficacy and need further research to confirm these suspicions.8,9
Classifying Moisturizers
Traditionally, moisturizers have been considered cosmetics and are sold in an relatively unregulated environment. However, it has recently been argued that moisturizers should be considered at least “cosmeceuticals” if not true pharmaceuticals, and covered under prescription drug insurance since they have the ability to modify functioning of skin10 and are considered first-line therapy for all dry-skin conditions.11 This is further supported by the fact that patients with dry-skin conditions are likely to require large quantities of moisturizers that are to be applied several times per day, sometimes totaling 250-500g/week.12 As moisturizers are not currently covered by most plans, this treatment modality can impose a significant financial burden on patients and their families, with one recent study estimating families with a child with AD spend an average of $28 per month on over-the-counter (OTC) products.13
Not all moisturizers are identical, of course, and the selection of a specific moisturizer for by a patient is generally guided by disease type, disease severity, and patient preferences. As our understanding of various dry-skin skin conditions evolves, we can begin to better match disease pathology with appropriate moisturizers.
Thus, it is increasingly important to have an understanding of the evidence for the use of specific moisturizers for certain skin conditions. Since AD is the hallmark condition associated with dry skin and studies have demonstrated that use of moisturizers results in improved control of AD and a decreased need for topical corticosteroids (TCS), significant research has been done on the use of moisturizers in AD.12 In a recent review article, Moncrieff et al. recommended the use of occlusive emollient creams with an oil-in-water emulsion as first line therapy for mild/moderate dry skin in AD, followed by the use of an occlusive emollient ointment with a water-in-oil emulsions for more severe AD and an occlusive ointment with no water, such as white soft paraffin or liquid paraffin, for patients with very severe eczema.14 While this is a compelling paradigm, experience dictates that this will not be suitable for all patients, and evidence is lacking that outcomes would be improved with such an approach. Put bluntly, there are many patients with severe AD who abhor greasy preparations and simply will not use them, while many patients with milder disease find that creams can sting and burn, and will only use greasy ointments. Such cosmetic and practical considerations undermine a strictly scientific approach to this area.
Natural oils also have a role in treating the skin barrier observed in AD. However, it is important to note that not all natural oils are beneficial or safe, making critical evaluation of oils essential. Oils high in the unsaturated linoleic acid likely enhance barrier function while oils high in oleic acid enhance penetration through the SC.15 Sunflower seed oil (SSO) has demonstrated effectiveness in improving SC barrier function and skin hydration, which may be beneficial in the prevention and treatment of AD, effects that are likely mediated by the high linoleic acid content of SSO.16 Coconut oil has also been shown to improve the skin barrier, and has additional anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties, likely due to the presence of medium-chain fatty acids.17 On the other hand, olive oil, which contains high oleic acid content, results in impaired SC integrity, does not improve SC hydration and induces erythema for patients with AD, and as such, should probably be avoided.18
Additives and Safety
Given the high quantity of moisturizers required to treat AD and other dry-skin conditions, the scientific community and public have raised concerns about the safety of certain additives in moisturizer, specifically parabens. Parabens are preservatives used to protect against bacteria, fungi, and yeast in a wide range of cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and some food products.19 The potential estrogenic activity of parabens has prompted investigation of their role in breast cancer development. While parabens do bind estrogen receptors, the affinity of parabens is 10,000 to 1,000,000 times less than estradiol.20 A 2004 study by Darbre et al. detected the presence of parabens in the breast tissue of patients with breast cancer, sparking significant controversy about their use. However, the results from the Darbre study were called into question as no control tissues were examined and the authors did not comment on history of chemotherapy use, which may contain parabens, thus calling into the question their claim of causality.21
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Furthermore, studies investigating the link between underarm antiperspirants containing parabens and breast cancer risk show no increased cancer risk. Parabens have been used since the 1930s and have been shown to be rapidly absorbed, metabolized, and excreted.19 Paraben-containing products do seem safe but preservative-free products are available for patients who wish to avoid parabens.22 In particular, paraben-free products may be useful for patients with damaged or broken skin, such as AD patients, since patients with broken skin are at risk for sensitization from parabens.19 Excitingly, some skin care products have successfully avoided preservatives altogether by implementing airtight technology for packaging.
Moisturizers Beyond AD
Looking at moisturizers for dry-skin conditions beyond AD, patients with psoriasis benefit from moisturizers as they normalize hyperproliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Moisturizers also exert anti-inflammatory effects, improve barrier function, and enhance stratum corneum hydration.23 Moncrieff et al. recommended humectant-containing emollients, such as glycerin and urea, be used as first line moisturizers for patients with psoriasis.14
Interestingly, it is now known that acne vulgaris (AV) may be due in part to skin barrier dysfunction. In acne-affected skin, barrier function is impaired, resulting in decreased moisture and ceramides. A recent review suggests that moisturizers can improve skin dryness and irritation for patients with AV and that ceramide-containing moisturizers may enhance adherence and complement existing acne therapies.24
It is important that moisturizers for patients with AV be non-comedogenic. Evaluation of the comedogenicity of facial products was originally done with a rabbit external ear canal assay that measured the level of microcomedones and comedogenic grades were established on a scale of 0 (no comedogenic potential) to 3 (severe comedogenic potential).25 For the past 20 years, human models of comedogenicity have been developed and used, where test materials are applied under occlusion to the back for four weeks. However, the challenge associated with any model of comedogenicity is that the final analysis is affected by the number of applications, the timing of applications, amount applied, duration of application, method of response evaluation, and evaluation scale.26 An original report in 1996 found petrolatum has no comedogenic potential and concluded that greasiness cannot be equated with comedogenticity;27 however, no further evaluation with newer comedogenicity assays has been done on petrolatum, which is a key moisturizer for a variety of dry-skin related conditions. Today, studies employ a variety of comedogenic assays and most manufacturers combine comedogenicity testing with clinical use tests (individuals use the product under normal conditions for several weeks), leading to some ambiguity around the exact definition of “non-comedogenic.”26
Finally, rosacea is also associated with an impaired SC, and moisturizers are recommended routinely for rosacea patients. Barrier defects occur in both clinically affected and normal-appearing facial skin. Barrier repairing moisturizers may assist in decreasing rosacea flares and reduce dryness and sensitivity. Recommended moisturizers include those that have: an acidic-neutral pH to minimize the flux in skin pH; surfactants or emulsifiers that will not strip the skin of its moisture or strip the lipids and proteins of the stratum corneum; and moisturizing ingredients such as emollients, humectants, and occlusive.28 Again, however, no specific moisturizer has been shown to be superior in rosacea, as with other disease states.
Prescription emollient devices: A Closer Look
Prescription emollient devices (PED) have recently been developed to target specific aspects of skin barrier dysfunction and are approved for a variety of dry-skin conditions. PED are considered medical devices (as opposed to drugs) by the FDA that require 510(k) approval since they are believed to induce a physical change in the skin, specifically a decrease in the TEWL. However the approval process for PED focuses on safety rather than efficacy. These products are intended to provide physiologic lipid replacement therapy, particularly ceramides, to restore the normal balance of the epidermal barrier. PED are speculated to act by penetrating the SC, be synthesized into the keratinocyte and then be secreted back into the SC. Formulations vary depending on ratio of lipids and ability to penetrate into deeper layers of the skin by using systems such a as a microemulsion colloidal carrier.29 Examples include true SC lipid replacement (e.g. Atopiclair BRC, EpiCeram BRC, Lipobase ) or SC Lipid analogues (ceramide analogue is synthesized via an inexpensive method and may have similar function to natural ceramides).4
However, while many of these are well-formulated and have data showing measurable effects,30–32 there is currently no compelling evidence that the PED products are more effective than OTC formulations for treating skin diseases. Furthermore, there is not even an accepted definition for “barrier-repair products.”29 In fact, a recent study found that there is no significant difference in clinical efficacy when treating mild to moderate AD with an OTC petroleum-based skin protectant moisturized (Aquaphor) compared to a glycyrrhetinic acid-containing barrier repair cream (Atopiclair) or a ceramide-dominant barrier repair cream (EpiCeram). Remarkably, the study found that the petroleum-based moisturizer performed at a similar level of efficacy but was at least 47-times more cost-effective compared to the barrier-repair creams,33 making the supporting argument for barrier-repair creams much more difficult. Yet, there still may be important aspects of these preparations, particularly for certain patients. Innovations for more mainstream moisturizers may follow from these expensive yet thoughtful barrier-repair preparations.
In summary, as our knowledge about the pathogenesis of dry-skin diseases progresses, providers must be alert to the most appropriate moisturizer for specific conditions. This is particularly true as moisturizers are considered first-line therapy for a variety of dry-skin conditions and hold potential to be a cost-effective treatment strategy. This is more important now than ever as new, more expensive products such as PED creams are introduced to the market and must be evaluated against perhaps equally effective, more cost-effective OTC moisturizers.
Peter A. Lio, MD is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Dermatology & Pediatrics at Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine and in practice at Medical Dermatology Associates of Chicago.
Margaret Dennin, BS is a medical student at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. Peter A. Lio, MD is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Dermatology and Pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and a partner at Medical Dermatology Associates of Chicago.
1. Harding CR. The stratum corneum: structure and function in health and disease. Dermatol Ther. 2004;17 Suppl 1:6-15. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14728694. Accessed May 14, 2017.
2. Robinson M, Visscher M, Laruffa A, Wickett R. Natural moisturizing factors (NMF) in the stratum corneum (SC). I. Effects of lipid extraction and soaking. J Cosmet Sci. 61(1):13-22. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20211113. Accessed May 26, 2017.
3. Sahle FF, Gebre-Mariam T, Dobner B, Wohlrab J, Neubert RHH. Skin diseases associated with the depletion of stratum corneum lipids and stratum corneum lipid substitution therapy. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2015;28(1):42-55. doi:10.1159/000360009.
4. Zeichner, JA; Del Rosso J. Multivesicular Emulsion Ceramide containing Moisturizers: An Evaluation of Their Role in the Management of Common Skin Disorders. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2016;9(12).
5. Brown SJ, Irwin McLean WH. One Remarkable Molecule: Filaggrin. J Invest Dermatol. 2012;132(3):751-762. doi:10.1038/jid.2011.393.
6. Rodríguez E, Baurecht H, Herberich E, et al. Meta-analysis of filaggrin polymorphisms in eczema and asthma: Robust risk factors in atopic disease. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2009;123(6). doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2009.03.036.
7. van Zuuren EJ, Fedorowicz Z, Lavrijsen A, Christensen R, Arents B. Emollients and moisturisers for eczema. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016;2016(3). doi:10.1002/14651858.CD012119.
8. Friedman AJ, von Grote EC, Meckfessel MH. Urea: A Clinically Oriented Overview from Bench to Bedside. J Drugs Dermatol. 2016;15(5):633-639. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27168272. Accessed May 26, 2017.
9. Boralevi F, Saint Aroman M, Delarue A, et al. Long-term emollient therapy improves xerosis in children with atopic dermatitis. J Eur Acad Dermatology Venereol. 2014;28(11):1456-1462. doi:10.1111/jdv.12314.
10. Draelos ZD. An evaluation of prescription device moisturizers. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2009;8(1):40-43. doi:10.1111/j.1473-2165.2009.00422.x.
11. Proksch E, Lachapelle J-M. The management of dry skin with topical emollients - recent perspectives. Behandlung der trockenen Haut mit topischen Emulsionen - neue Entwicklungen. J der Dtsch Dermatologischen Gesellschaft. 2005;3(10):768-774. doi:10.1111/j.1610-0387.2005.05068.x.
12. Cork MJ, Britton J, Butler L, Young S, Murphy R, Keohane SG. Comparison of parent knowledge, therapy utilization and severity of atopic eczema before and after explanation and demonstration of topical therapies by a specialist dermatology nurse. Br J Dermatol. 2003;149(3):582-589. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2133.2003.05595.x.
13. Filanovsky MG, Pootongkam S, Tamburro JE, Smith MC, Ganocy SJ, Nedorost ST. The Financial and Emotional Impact of Atopic Dermatitis on Children and Their Families. J Pediatr. 2016;169:284-290.e5. doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2015.10.077.
14. Moncrieff G, Cork M, Lawton S, Kokiet S, Daly C, Clark C. Use of emollients in dry-skin conditions: Consensus statement. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2013;38(3):231-238. doi:10.1111/ced.12104.
15. Schliemann-Willers S, Wigger-Alberti W, Kleesz P, Grieshaber R, Elsner P. Natural vegetable fats in the prevention of irritant contact dermatitis. Contact Dermatitis. 2002;46(1):6-12. doi:10.1034/j.1600-0536.2002.460102.x.
16. Darmstadt GL, Saha SK, Ahmed ASMNU, et al. Effect of Skin Barrier Therapy on Neonatal Mortality Rates in Preterm Infants in Bangladesh: A Randomized, Controlled, Clinical Trial. Pediatrics. 2008;121(3). http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/121/3/522. Accessed May 27, 2017.
17. Nangia S, Paul VK, Deorari AK, Sreenivas V, Agarwal R, Chawla D. Topical Oil Application and Trans-Epidermal Water Loss in Preterm Very Low Birth Weight Infants—A Randomized Trial. J Trop Pediatr. 2015;85(6):fmv049. doi:10.1093/tropej/fmv049.
18. Danby SG, AlEnezi T, Sultan A, et al. Effect of Olive and Sunflower Seed Oil on the Adult Skin Barrier: Implications for Neonatal Skin Care. Pediatr Dermatol. 2013;30(1):42-50. doi:10.1111/j.1525-1470.2012.01865.x.
19. Soni MG, Carabin IG, Burdock GA. Safety assessment of esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid (parabens). Food Chem Toxicol. 2005;43(7):985-1015. doi:10.1016/j.fct.2005.01.020.
20. Kirchhof MG, de Gannes GC. The health controversies of parabens. Skin Therapy Lett. 2013;18(2):5-7. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23508773. Accessed May 27, 2017.
21. Darbre PD, Aljarrah A, Miller WR, Coldham NG, Sauer MJ, Pope GS. Concentrations of parabens in human breast tumours. J Appl Toxicol. 2004;24(1):5-13. doi:10.1002/jat.958.
22. Mirick DK, Davis S, Thomas DB. Antiperspirant Use and the Risk of Breast Cancer. CancerSpectrum Knowl Environ. 2002;94(20):1578-1580. doi:10.1093/jnci/94.20.1578.
23. Fluhr JW, Cavallotti C, Berardesca E. Emollients, moisturizers, and keratolytic agents in psoriasis. Clin Dermatol. 2008;26(4):380-386. doi:10.1016/j.clindermatol.2008.01.015.
24. Lynde CW, Andriessen A, Barankin B, et al. Moisturizers and ceramide-containing moisturizers may offer concomitant therapy with benefits. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2014;7(3):18-26.
25. American Academy of Dermatology invitational symposium on comedogenicity. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1989;20(2):272-277. doi:10.1016/S0190-9622(89)80058-1.
26. Draelos ZD, DiNardo JC. A re-evaluation of the comedogenicity concept. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2006;54(3):507-512. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2005.11.1058.
27. Klingman A. Petrolatum is not comedogenic in rabbits or humans: A critical reappraisal of the rabbit ear assay and the concept of “acne cosmetica” - Abstract. Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists. http://journal.scconline.org/abstracts/cc1996/cc047n01/p00041-p00048.html. Published 1996. Accessed May 27, 2017.
28. Levin J, Miller R. A Guide to the Ingredients and Potential Benefits of Over-the-Counter Cleansers and Moisturizers for Rosacea Patients. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2011;4(8):31-49. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21909456. Accessed May 14, 2017.
29. Wolf R, Parish LC. Barrier-repair prescription moisturizers: Do we really need them? Facts and controversies. Clin Dermatol. 2013;31(6):787-791. doi:10.1016/j.clindermatol.2013.05.018.
30. Sugarman JL, Parish LC. Efficacy of a lipid-based barrier repair formulation in moderate-to-severe pediatric atopic dermatitis. J Drugs Dermatol. 2009;8(12):1106-1111. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20027938. Accessed May 27, 2017.
31. Abramovits W, Hebert AA, Boguniewicz M, et al. Patient-reported outcomes from a multicenter, randomized, vehicle‐controlled clinical study of MAS063DP (Atopiclair TM ) in the management of mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis in adults. J Dermatolog Treat. 2008;19(6):327-332. doi:10.1080/09546630802232799.
32. Szepietowski JC, Szepietowski T, Reich A. Efficacy and tolerance of the cream containing structured physiological lipids with endocannabinoids in the treatment of uremic pruritus: a preliminary study. Acta Dermatovenerol Croat. 2005;13(2):97-103. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16324422. Accessed May 27, 2017.
33. Miller DW, Koch SB, Yentzer BA, Clark AR, O’Neill JR, Fountain J, Weber TM FAJ. An over-the-counter moisturizer is as clinically effective as, and more cost-effective than, Prescription barrier creams in the treatment of children with mild-to-moderate Atopic dermatitis: a randomized, controlled trial. J Drugs Dermatol. 2011 May;10(5):531-7.
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