INTRODUCTION
Dry skin, also known as xerosis, can be relatively asymptomatic or more pronounced, with inflammation and superficial cracking causing unpleasant itching, stinging, and general discomfort.1 Atopic dermatitis (AD), or eczema, is a common and heterogenous chronic relapsing inflammatory skin disease, characterized by eczematous and pruritic lesions, affecting both children and adults of diverse racial and ethnic groups.2,3 AD pathophysiology is multifactorial and involves gene predisposition, skin barrier dysfunction, environmental triggers, immune dysregulation, and microbial dysbiosis.2,4,5
AD is also reported to have a higher incidence and prevalence in patients with skin of color (SOC).6-9 In the United States, African American children are 1.7 times more likely to develop AD than their European American counterparts.10,11 Treatment of dry skin or mild AD, among other modalities, involves using a gentle cleanser with an acidic pH to respect the acidic skin mantle, and regular use of moisturizers.12 However, given the physiological variations in skin among different races and ethnicities, plus age groups, an ideal moisturizer for one patient may be less useful for another.13
AD is also reported to have a higher incidence and prevalence in patients with skin of color (SOC).6-9 In the United States, African American children are 1.7 times more likely to develop AD than their European American counterparts.10,11 Treatment of dry skin or mild AD, among other modalities, involves using a gentle cleanser with an acidic pH to respect the acidic skin mantle, and regular use of moisturizers.12 However, given the physiological variations in skin among different races and ethnicities, plus age groups, an ideal moisturizer for one patient may be less useful for another.13
