Evaluation of the Efficacy of Medical Moisturizers on Artificially Dried Skin and Atopic Dry Skin on the Basis of Dermato-physiological Parameters

Abstract

To objectively evaluate the efficacy of moisturizers, we studied their effects on the artificially dried skin of healthy subjects in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) and also examined the effect of one moisturizer on the dry skin of patients with atopic dermatitis, using dermato-physiological parameters. A heparinoid preparation (Hirudoid^®Soft), 20% urea preparation, or petrolatum was applied once daily for 3 days onto acetone/ether-water-dried skin of the medial forearm. The heparinoid preparation and the urea preparation significantly improved the water content of the stratum corneum. The heparinoid preparation was significantly more effective than petrolatum in improving the water content of the stratum corneum and was superior to the urea preparation in earlier recovery from dryness. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and dermatological findings significantly improved with all three drugs. The heparinoid preparation was also applied onto atopic dry skin twice daily for 3 weeks. The heparinoid preparation significantly improved the water content of the stratum corneum and dermatological findings, but TEWL and itching were not reduced. This study demonstrated the efficacy on dry skin of the heparinoid preparation, the urea preparation and petrolatum, all drugs being used for improvement of dermato-physiological dysfunction, as well as the efficacy of the heparinoid preparation for atopic dry skin.