The use of phytonutrients has grabbed everyone’s attention. Some of the most important Phytonutrients in moisturizers include:

Aloe (Aloe barbadensis or Miller leaf extract), with over 300 species, has been known to heal skin ulcers and burns. It has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and vasodilator action.

Several studies on humans or animals have shown that it can be used in seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis vulgaris, genital herpes, skin burns, acne vulgaris, lichen planus, etc.

Allantoin is a synthetic derivative called aluminum dihydroxy allantoinate. It has served the role of moisturizer and keratolytic. Allantoin is a diureide of glyoxalic acid that is produced from uric acid. Studies have shown it to ameliorate the wound healing process.

Oatmeal (Avena sativa) acts as a bath for soothing rashes. It has been used in nursing practice for decades. It provides high symptomatic relief to the patient. It is a topical treatment for various skin barrier conditions, including dry skin, skin rashes, and eczema. Some studies have shown the actual mechanism of action for the skin barrier strengthening activity of colloidal oatmeal. A study has shown that the colloidal oatmeal lotion showed significant clinical improvements in skin dryness, moisturization, and barriers. Hence, it has clinical efficacy in treating dry and compromised skin by strengthening the skin barrier.

Moisturizers are popular in the Indian market and are used widely and variedly. The skin type differences according to the dry, oily, combination, or normal skin form the foundation for selecting the amount, frequency, and type of moisturizers.

Reference:

1. Sethi A, Kaur T, Malhotra SK, Gambhir ML. Moisturizers: The slippery road. Indian J Dermatol. 2016; 61(3): 279-287.