Ability of moisturizers to reduce dry skin and irritation and to prevent their return. J Cosmet Sci. 56:427-444

Assays of moisturizer efficacy, moisturizer’s ability to alleviate dry skin, a moisturizer’s ability to prevent primary irritation, controlled-application clinical (in vivo) studies, hand-wash test, regression test, reduction in pre-existing irritation study, and prevention-of-irritation studies, skin dryness, itching, scaling, and redness, cause of skin dryness and irritation is exposure to surfactants and/or solvents, either as part of aggressive daily hygiene, repeated hand washing, exposure to cleaning solvents, or occupational activities, skin barrier, composed of corneocytes and intercellular lipids, skin disease include low humidity conditions from cold dry weather and insufficient or defective sebum production, dry skin in elderly individuals, moisturizers reduce transepidermal water loss by promoting barrier repair, soothe exposed dermal nerve endings by creating a temporary artificial barrier, and restore skin softness, Skin hydration (conductance) and desquamation index (DI) measurement, scaling and assessment of skin-surface corneocyte integrity, skin flaking skin softness, smoothness, and moisturization, as well as in the appearance and feel of dry skin, ability of glycerin to alleviate dryness and primary irritation