INTRODUCTION
Psoriasis is a chronic, recurrent, immune-mediated disease of the skin with variable morphology, distribution, severity, and course.1 Psoriasis presents with skin lesions that are typically circular, well-circumscribed, red papules or plaques covered with gray or silvery-white, dry scales.1,2 The lesions can be localized to one area or generalized across the body.1,2 Psoriasis is a prevalent condition, affecting approximately 125 million people globally.2 It impacts males and females equally, with a higher incidence in adults compared with children.2
Psoriasis imposes not only physical pain, but also significantly impacts patients' mental health and quality of life (QOL) due to the disfiguring nature of lesions.1 In a large European study investigating QOL in over 18,000 patients with psoriasis, 77% of subjects agreed that the condition is a problem or significant problem in their life.3 Specifically, issues related to activities of daily living, such as bathing frequency and clothing choice, accounted for nearly half of the disability reported in the psoriasis disability index.3 The level of disability positively correlated with disease severity, with 18.5% of the maximum disability score reported in patients with mild psoriasis to 43.8% in patients with severe psoriasis.3
Guidelines for the treatment of psoriasis may vary slightly by region due to local product availability and differences in national health care systems. However, treatment is generally determined by disease severity.1,2 There are 3 main treatments for psoriasis: topical and phototherapy treatment for mild to moderate disease, and systemic treatment for moderate to severe disease.1,2 Treatments are often combined to control the symptoms of psoriasis including skin dryness, itching, discomfort, and desquamation, with the goal of eventually reaching remission.1,4 While prescribed topical treatments are available, over-the-counter moisturizers have also been proven to significantly improve skin condition and QOL for patients with psoriasis. Moisturizers are frequently used as first-line self-treatment or adjunctive therapies in addition to other prescribed topical medications, phototherapy, systemic, or biologic therapy.5 While clinical evidence supports the use of topical moisturizers in general for primary or adjunctive management
Psoriasis imposes not only physical pain, but also significantly impacts patients' mental health and quality of life (QOL) due to the disfiguring nature of lesions.1 In a large European study investigating QOL in over 18,000 patients with psoriasis, 77% of subjects agreed that the condition is a problem or significant problem in their life.3 Specifically, issues related to activities of daily living, such as bathing frequency and clothing choice, accounted for nearly half of the disability reported in the psoriasis disability index.3 The level of disability positively correlated with disease severity, with 18.5% of the maximum disability score reported in patients with mild psoriasis to 43.8% in patients with severe psoriasis.3
Guidelines for the treatment of psoriasis may vary slightly by region due to local product availability and differences in national health care systems. However, treatment is generally determined by disease severity.1,2 There are 3 main treatments for psoriasis: topical and phototherapy treatment for mild to moderate disease, and systemic treatment for moderate to severe disease.1,2 Treatments are often combined to control the symptoms of psoriasis including skin dryness, itching, discomfort, and desquamation, with the goal of eventually reaching remission.1,4 While prescribed topical treatments are available, over-the-counter moisturizers have also been proven to significantly improve skin condition and QOL for patients with psoriasis. Moisturizers are frequently used as first-line self-treatment or adjunctive therapies in addition to other prescribed topical medications, phototherapy, systemic, or biologic therapy.5 While clinical evidence supports the use of topical moisturizers in general for primary or adjunctive management
