title: Effects of moisturization on epidermal homeostasis and differentiation.
abstract: Moisturizers are commonly used for routine skin care. This study assessed the effects of a moisturizer on barrier function, epidermal architecture, keratinocyte proliferation, and physiological regulation of the epidermis in photoaged but otherwise normal skin. Fifteen women with moderately photoaged forearms were treated twice a day for 4 weeks with a moisturizer containing dimethicone and glycerine. Baseline and post-treatment transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and ipsilateral forearm biopsies were obtained. Epidermal thickness, melanin levels, keratinocyte proliferation, and expression of keratins were evaluated. Induction of keratins 6 and 16, commonly associated with keratinocyte proliferation and wound healing, was observed. Epidermal thickness increased by 0.019 mm (P = 0.005), barrier function improved (TEWL decreased by 13%) and melanin intensity decreased (P = 0.004). Even nonxerotic, photoaged skin may appear younger, benefiting structurally and functionally from routine use of moisturizers containing dimethicone and glycerine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Malcolm Grow Medical Center, MD, USA.
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Short
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Egbert
authors.forename: W E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Rehmus
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Kimball
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004643:Emollients / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004817:Epidermis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005990:Glycerol / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007633:Keratins / Q000378:metabolism; D008543:Melanins / Q000378:metabolism; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena / Q000187:drug effects*; D014870:Water Loss, Insensible / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes; D004643:Emollients; D008543:Melanins; D007633:Keratins; C501844:dimethicone; D005990:Glycerol