Preventive and therapeutic effects of a moisturizer. An experimental study of human skin.

The effect of a moisturizer was tested on experimentally irritated human skin in two studies. In a prevention study, 12 volunteers had both hands immersed into a 0.375% sodium lauryl sulphate solution, 10 min twice daily for 2 days. Before each immersion one hand was treated with the moisturizer; the other hand served as control. In a therapeutic study, 12 volunteers had both hands immersed in the same way as mentioned above. After the last immersion one hand was treated for 5 days with the moisturizer; the other hand served as control. Skin barrier function was evaluated by transepidermal water loss (Evaporimeter), and blood flow was evaluated by laser Doppler flowmetry and skin hydration by electrical capacitance (Corneometer). A significant preventive effect was obtained on the treated hand, compared to the control hand, judged by all measured parameters. A significant therapeutic effect was observed on skin barrier function and on skin hydration on the treated hand, compared to the control hand, while no difference between the hands in blood flow was observed after the end of treatment. The moisturizer could prevent irritant skin reactions induced by a detergent, and it could also accelerate regeneration of the barrier function of irritated skin.