Author: Moncrieff G, Cork M, Lawton S, Kokiet S, Daly C, Clark C.
pathophysiology of dry-skin conditions, emollient therapy, Dry skin (xerosis) is a common symptom of a number of skin conditions, including atopic dermatitis/eczema (AD/AE), ichthyosis, irritant contact dermatitis, psoriasis and asteatotic eczema, frequent washing, use of harsh detergents and exposure to low-humidity (e.g. air-conditioned) environments, Dry skin is synonymous with a skin-barrier defect, loss of water from the stratum corneum (SC), skin barrier, prevents the penetration of harmful irritants and allergens, well-hydrated corneocytes that are enclosed within a matrix of intercellular lipids, aloe vera moisturizing, corneocytes contain natural moisturizing factor (NMF), a collection of hygroscopic compounds, which attract and hold water in the cells, natural humectants are required to maintain the skin’s plasticity and development of dehydration of the corneocytes, lipid lamellae, desquamation of the epidermal barrier, epidermal barrier structural protein filaggrin, Emollient products can be formulated with additional ingredients such as humectants, physiological lipids and antipruritic agents, Physiological lipids such as ceramides, cholesterol and free fatty acids, naturally found in the SC, replenish and restore the intercellular lipid matrix, emollient formulation, Aqueous cream, leave-on or washing product, emollient preparations