title: Understanding natural moisturizing mechanisms: implications for moisturizer technology.
abstract: Dry skin and moisturization are important topics because they impact the lives of many individuals. For most individuals, dry skin is not a notable concern and can be adequately managed with current moisturizing products. However, dry skin can affect the quality of life of some individuals because of the challenges of either harsh environmental conditions or impaired stratum corneum (SC) dry skin protection processes resulting from various common skin diseases. Dry skin protection processes of the SC, such as the development of natural moisturizing factor (NMF), are complex, carefully balanced, and easily perturbed. We discuss the importance of the filaggrin-NMF system and the composition of NMF in both healthy and dry skin, and also reveal new insights that suggest the properties required for a new generation of moisturizing technologies.
authors.affiliation: Unilever Research and Development, Trumbull, Connecticut, USA.
authors.forename: Prem
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chandar
authors.forename: Greg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nole
authors.forename: Anthony W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D004643:Emollients / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000091344:Filaggrin Proteins; D006801:Humans; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D012867:Skin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000503:physiopathology; D017592:Skin Care; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman; D014867:Water / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D014870:Water Loss, Insensible
chemical_list: D004643:Emollients; C000717249:FLG protein, human; D000091344:Filaggrin Proteins; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins; D014867:Water