INTRODUCTION
Maintaining good hydration is an essential part of healthy skin. Skin hydration has been primarily assessed on facial skin; however, many individuals suffer from dry skin on additional areas of the body. Visually, this can be appreciated by roughness, flaking, or scaling (sometimes described as an "ashy" look in darker skin types). Sufferers may experience itchiness and even skin fissures. Symptoms and signs can vary based on age, health status, skin phototype, and environmental exposures. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends applying moisturizers within a few minutes after cleansing, with the goal of trapping moisture.1 Further, the AAD suggests using ointments, creams, or lotions with the caveat that ointments and creams may be more effective and less irritating than lotions.1 Because patients have preferences for the type of formulation they wish to use (cream, ointment, or lotion), this study compares the moisturizing effects of a gentle lotion versus a cream to determine whether there may be differences in this particular product line’s formulation types.2
Additional formulation differences, including preferred ingredients, can be very important in managing dry skin. This study evaluates two products that contain glycerin, panthenol, and niacinamide. Glycerin, a natural substance that is one of the skin’s natural moisturizing factors (NMFs), acts as a humectant and attracts water into the skin’s stratum corneum.3 Glycerin also helps with retention of internal moisture within skin, which also enhances skin barrier function and overall skin health. It readily diffuses into skin and is a gentle, versatile ingredient that provides beneficial effects across a wide range of skin types. In 2020, Proksch et al summarized a meeting of specialists in dry skin management, encouraging the incorporation of humectants into topical emollients for patients with dry skin to help boost the activity of enzymes and NMFs in skin.4 Panthenol (vitamin B5) is a humectant that can enhance the production of cutaneous lipids and fibroblasts, translating to a stronger epidermal barrier.5 Panthenol can also mitigate skin irritation and has anti-inflammatory actions.5 Products that incorporate niacinamide can safely and effectively enhance skin brightness and overall skin appearance; niacinamide also helps smooth skin texture/roughness and restores the skin barrier.6
While hydration is important for all skin types, individuals with skin of color have a higher propensity for sequelae such as dyspigmentation.7 Indeed, when present, postinflammatory pigmentary changes may be more concerning to the patient than the dry skin itself.8 Therefore, the individual’s skin type should influence the management strategy in regards to moisturizing product timing of initiation, ingredients, and product formulation.
The goal of this study was to visualize skin hydration via heatmap (colormap) on extremities in a variety of skin types, as was shown in a prior study of heatmapping facial skin after use of skincare products.9 As with facial skin, understanding hydration on other bodily areas can be challenging due to environmental exposures (humidity, sunlight, and pollution) that affect water retention/loss.10 As discussed by Voegeli et al, single-point measurements of skin hydration may not provide
Additional formulation differences, including preferred ingredients, can be very important in managing dry skin. This study evaluates two products that contain glycerin, panthenol, and niacinamide. Glycerin, a natural substance that is one of the skin’s natural moisturizing factors (NMFs), acts as a humectant and attracts water into the skin’s stratum corneum.3 Glycerin also helps with retention of internal moisture within skin, which also enhances skin barrier function and overall skin health. It readily diffuses into skin and is a gentle, versatile ingredient that provides beneficial effects across a wide range of skin types. In 2020, Proksch et al summarized a meeting of specialists in dry skin management, encouraging the incorporation of humectants into topical emollients for patients with dry skin to help boost the activity of enzymes and NMFs in skin.4 Panthenol (vitamin B5) is a humectant that can enhance the production of cutaneous lipids and fibroblasts, translating to a stronger epidermal barrier.5 Panthenol can also mitigate skin irritation and has anti-inflammatory actions.5 Products that incorporate niacinamide can safely and effectively enhance skin brightness and overall skin appearance; niacinamide also helps smooth skin texture/roughness and restores the skin barrier.6
While hydration is important for all skin types, individuals with skin of color have a higher propensity for sequelae such as dyspigmentation.7 Indeed, when present, postinflammatory pigmentary changes may be more concerning to the patient than the dry skin itself.8 Therefore, the individual’s skin type should influence the management strategy in regards to moisturizing product timing of initiation, ingredients, and product formulation.
The goal of this study was to visualize skin hydration via heatmap (colormap) on extremities in a variety of skin types, as was shown in a prior study of heatmapping facial skin after use of skincare products.9 As with facial skin, understanding hydration on other bodily areas can be challenging due to environmental exposures (humidity, sunlight, and pollution) that affect water retention/loss.10 As discussed by Voegeli et al, single-point measurements of skin hydration may not provide
