Promoting a Healthy Skin Barrier Using Skin Care in People With Mature Skin Xerosis

January 2024 | Volume 23 | Issue 1 | 1253 | Copyright © January 2024


Published online December 11, 2023

Michael Gold MD FAADa, Anneke Andriessen PhDb, Cheryl Burgess MD FAADc, Valerie Callender MD FAADd, David Goldberg MD JD FAADe, Firas Hougeir MD FAADf, Leon Kircik MD FAADg, Todd Schlesinger MD FAADh

aGold Skin Care Center, Nashville, TN; Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and Nursing, Nashville, TN 
bRadboud UMC Nijmegen, Andriessen Consultants, Malden, NL
cCenter for Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Washington, DC  
dHoward University College of Medicine, Washington, DC; Callender Dermatology & Cosmetic Center, Glenn Dale, MD
eSkin Laser & Surgery Specialists of NY and NJ, Hackensack, NJ; Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai, New York, NY  
fSoutheast Dermatology Specialists, Douglasville, GA 
gIcahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai, New York, NY; Dermatology, Indiana University Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN; Physicians Skin Care, PLLC, Louisville, KY; DermResearch, PLLC, Louisville, KY

containing moisturizing cream at least once daily for 4 weeks. Physician and patient evaluation (5-point scale) were at baseline and after 28 days, scoring dryness, roughness and/or desquamation, discomfort, fissures, and cracks. Patients scored the quality of life (4-point scale) aspects at baseline and 4 weeks. The mean physician scores at week 4 decreased for roughness and desquamation from 3.1 to 0.6 (-82%), discomfort due to xerosis from 2.9 to 0.2 (-93%), and fissures from 2.3 to 0.1 (-97%) (Figure 2).

The patients reported that xerosis improved for all parameters (Figure 3). In addition, patient quality of life (QoL) improved, with 77% no longer feeling embarrassed due to their condition, and greater than or equal to 90% not feeling that their condition affected their social/leisure activities or daily activities (Figure 4). Two typical patients are shown to illustrate these results (Figures 5 and 6).

Limitations
The exact etiology of mature skin xerosis is not understood and requires more research. The small number of studies specifically addressing skincare in mature skin did not allow for rating the evidence and recommendations on skincare preferences. 

CONCLUSION

Aging-associated alterations in epidermal function lead to xerosis and related pruritus. The development of xerosis in mature skin involves several genetic and environmental mechanisms. Daily use of skincare offers the benefits of maintaining or restoring a healthy skin barrier. Skincare, including gentle cleansers and moisturizers, specifically CER-containing products, have reduced xerosis and pruritus in mature skin individuals.

DISCLOSURES

The authors disclosed receipt of an unrestricted educational grant from CeraVe International for support with the research of this work. The authors also received consultancy fees for their work on this project.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

All authors participated in the project's steps, reviewed the manuscript, and agreed with the content. All authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript.

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AUTHOR CORRESPONDENCE

Anneke Andriessen PhD anneke.a@tiscali.nl
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