Moisturizers versus Current and Next-Generation Barrier Repair Therapy for the Management of Atopic Dermatitis

We compare here the principal characteristics of over-the-counter moisturizers with physiologic lipid-based barrier repair therapy. Moisturizers are standard ancillary therapy for anti-inflammatory skin disorders, like atopic dermatitis (AD), and can attenuate the emergence of AD, the initial step in the "atopic march." But not all moisturizers are beneficial; some can make skin function worse, and can even induce inflammation, possibly accounting for the frequent occurrence of "sensitive skin" in women. In contrast, physiologic lipid-based barrier repair therapy, if comprised of the 3 key stratum corneum lipids, in sufficient quantities and at an appropriate molar ratio, can correct the barrier abnormality and reduce inflammation in AD, and perhaps in other inflammatory dermatoses.
Skin Pharmacol Physiol 2019;32:1–7