Research Summary
Moisturizing creams are useful treatment adjuncts in inflammatory dermatoses and have beneficial effects in treating dry, scaly skin. A study was conducted to compare the effects of dryness and skin permeability using a new moisturizing cream with 20% glycerine against its placebo and a medically authorized cream containing 4% urea (combined with 4% sodium chloride) in the treatment of dry skin.
Methods: The study involved 109 patients with atopic dermatitis who were treated for 30 days with a moisturizer in a randomized, parallel, and double-blind fashion. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and skin capacitance were measured instrumentally, and a dermatologist assessed changes in skin dryness.
Results: No significant difference in TEWL was found between the glycerine treatment and its placebo. However, a lower TEWL value was observed in the urea-treated area compared to the glycerine-treated area. No significant difference in skin capacitance was detected. The clinical assessment of dryness indicated that the urea treatment was superior to glycerine in addressing the condition.
Conclusions: Moisturizing creams differ not only in composition but also in their effects on skin as a barrier to water in patients with atopic dermatitis.
Keywords: moisturizer, dry skin, cream, emollient, permeability barrier, transepidermal water loss.
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