A urea/glycerol cream strengthened the skin barrier in adults with AD through a mechanism involving increased natural moisturizing factor (NMF) levels in the skin and imparted protection from sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS)-induced irritation, according to a study published in Clinical and Experimental Dermatology. Simon G. Danby, BSc, PhD, and colleagues compared the barrier-strengthening properties of a moisturizer containing urea and glycerol, a glycerol-containing moisturizer, a simple paraffin cream (no humectant), and no treatment in adults with AD (N=49). The intervention involved 4 weeks of treatment, twice daily, with the three products applied to one of four areas on the forearms. Skin properties (dryness, trans-epidermal water loss [TEWL], hydration, and NMF levels) were assessed before, during, and after treatment. The urea/glycerol cream significantly reduced the response to SLS compared with no treatment, paraffin cream, and glycerol cream. Skin moisturization improved at sites treated with urea/glycerol cream compared with no treatment and paraffin cream and was accompanied by concordant changes in dryness and NMF levels.
