With the emerging interest in skin, the cosmetic market is also growing. Choosing amidst the numerous types of basic cosmetics on the market is difficult. A recent article advises and guides on which products to recommend according to a patient′s skin condition. 

Appropriate application of a moisturizer not only improves the dryness, but also improves the skin′s natural barrier function to protect the skin from internal and external irritants to keep the skin healthy. Moisturizers contain various ingredients, including occlusive agents, emollients, humectants, lipid mixtures, emulsifiers and preservatives. As moisturizers have a key role as an adjuvant in treating common skin diseases, such as atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, psoriasis, acne and rosacea, picking the appropriate moisturizer for each condition is crucial. 

• For atopic dermatitis – moisturizers that can restore the damaged barrier function, like those containing natural moisturizing factors, ceramides and pseudoceramides are beneficial.
• For contact dermatitis – moisturizers with an appropriate proportion of occlusive agents and humectants are the best. Regular use of a moisturizing agent with a high lipid content will prevent irritant contact dermatitis caused by surfactants in normal skin and treat existing irritant contact dermatitis.
• In psoriasis, using moisturizers such as mineral oil before UV treatment will reduce the reflectivity of dead cells in thick skin. Moisturizers with alpha hydroxy acid, salicylic acid (BHA), urea and glycolic acid, which have keratolytic action, will relieve hyperkeratosis of psoriasis.

Basic cosmetics, especially moisturizers, should be recommended to the patients considering each product′s ingredients, effectiveness and safety, and each patient′s skin condition.

Source: Kang SY, Um JY, Chung BY, et al. Moisturizer in patients with inflammatory skin diseases. Medicina (Kaunas). 2022;58(7):888.