Abstract
The use of moisturizers is almost instinctive and is also routinely recommended to reduce the likelihood of developing dryness and eczema. However, recent findings demonstrate that treatment with creams may increase the risks for eczema. Symptoms of dryness may appear in normal skin and the skin susceptibility to outside stressors may increase. Moisturizing creams contain a great variety of ingredients, some of which are found in the stratum corneum. However, knowledge regarding the mechanisms of the impact of different ingredients on the skin is still lacking and, currently, it is a matter of trial and error to find the most suitable moisturizer for an individual. The cosmetic properties and the simplicity to use the products are important parameters for adherence, but even more important are the effects on the skin barrier function. A defect in skin barrier function has been suggested as the major cause for atopic eczema. Increased rate of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) induces signals that stimulate normalization of the skin barrier function, but increased TEWL can also have pathological effects, which results in cutaneous abnormalities. Therefore, we propose TEWL to be a surrogate parameter for the changed risks for development of eczema by moisturizer treatment.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
M Lodén is an employee of Aco Hud Nordic AB. The author has no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.