Lotion or Cream? A Fresh Look at Moisturizer Efficacy in Dry Skin
Dry skin is more than just a nuisance, it’s a clinical challenge that affects comfort, barrier function, and, in patients with deeper skin tones, pigmentation. But when it comes to recommending over-the-counter moisturizers, are lotions and creams truly created equal?
A new single-center, split-body study put that question to the test, comparing a gentle moisturizing lotion and cream over a 4-week period. Using corneometry, digital photography, and visual heatmaps, researchers tracked changes in hydration across the arms.
The results? Both products delivered rapid, sustained hydration, and were well tolerated without adverse events. Notably, this small study also contributes to a limited but growing body of research examining moisturizing strategies in richly pigmented skin, where pigmentary alterations can complicate the picture.
If you’re counseling patients with xerosis, especially those with darker skin tones, this data reinforces that either vehicle may be a viable, effective option. Your recommendation may come down to patient preference, texture, or cost.
Check out the article below if you want a closer look at the methodology and visual outcomes.
J Drugs Dermatol. 2025;24(7) doi:10.36849/JDD.9147
