International guidelines recommend twice-daily moisturization as the bedrock of the management of atopic dermatitis (AD). It is crucial to select moisturizers based on proven clinical effectiveness in improving the skin barrier and the symptoms of AD. 

The present study searched the PubMed database for clinical trials assessing daily moisturization for treating AD, published between 2006 and 2019. It included studies assessing the efficacy of commercially available moisturizers using objective measures of corneometry, transepidermal water loss or incidence of flare as endpoints and treatments that were available to patients at the time of the study. 

Clinical studies revealed that moisturization (typically twice daily) remarkably improved the skin barrier in adults and children with AD. Longer-term flare studies demonstrated that daily moisturization lowered the incidence of flares and extended the time between flares. Proactive moisturization of infants at high risk of developing AD may lessen its manifestation. 

Therapeutic moisturizers for AD are specifically designed to contain ingredients that target symptoms of AD, like itch, inflammation or compromised skin barrier. The US FDA mandates that any moisturizer available in the USA and claiming to treat AD must contain colloidal oatmeal. Healthcare providers hold a crucial position in maximizing compliance and outcomes by educating patients on the benefits of liberally applying a therapeutic moisturizer twice daily to support the skin barrier and help lower the incidence of flares. Recommendations should consider clinically tested moisturizers evaluated using objective, validated skin assessments.

Source: Hebert AA, Rippke F, Weber TM, et al. Efficacy of nonprescription moisturizers for atopic dermatitis: an updated review of clinical evidence. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2020;21(5):641-55.