The Relationship of Proper Skin Cleansing to Pathophysiology, Clinical Benefits, and the Concomitant Use of Prescription Topical Therapies in Patients with Acne Vulgaris.

Patients often perceive the cause of their acne to be related to a lack of proper cleansing, therefore many patients attempt to treat their acne either alone or with prescription therapy by frequent aggressive cleansing with harsh cleansing agents. Altered epidermal barrier function, inflammation, and Propionibacterium acnes are related to acne vulgaris (AV) pathophysiology; proper cleansing can favorably modulate the development of AV. The available clinical studies support gentle cleansing in AV by showing the ability to contribute to improving AV lesion counts and severity and minimizing the irritation seen with topical AV therapies such as retinoids and BP.

Atopic dermatitis and the stratum corneum: part 3: the immune system in atopic dermatitis.

Part 3 of this three-part review of atopic dermatitis and the stratum corneum barrier discerns how immune dysregulation, including upregulation of a TH2 inflammation pattern, augmented allergic sensitization, sustained wound healing inflammation, and impaired innate immunity, plays an integral role in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis. An increased understanding of the interdependence, polymorphisms, and dysregulations of epidermal barrier functions, including the stratum corneum permeability barrier, immune defense, and antimicrobial barriers, should provide further knowledge about the pathophysiological mechanisms that are clinically relevant and that contribute to the development of atopic dermatitis. Further understanding of these mechanisms should lead to newer therapies that target specific pathogenic components of atopic dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis and the stratum corneum: part 2: other structural and functional characteristics of the stratum corneum barrier in atopic skin.

This three-part review presents what is currently known about the involvement and interdependency of the epidermal barrier and immune response in the etiopathogenesis of atopic dermatitis. Part 1 of this review depicted the role of filaggrin in atopic dermatitis while this article, Part 2, evaluates the role of serine proteases and specific lipids in the structural and functional integrity of the stratum corneum and its multiple barrier functions in atopic dermatitis. Upregulation of serine protease activity causes adverse structural changes of the stratum corneum due to degradation of certain stratum corneum proteins that are integral to epidermal structure and functions, interference with the formation of the stratum corneum intercellular lipid membrane, which normally regulates epidermal water flux and gradient, and induction of a TH2 pattern of inflammation, which is the hallmark profile of atopic skin.

Atopic dermatitis and the stratum corneum: part 1: the role of filaggrin in the stratum corneum barrier and atopic skin.

This three-part review presents what is currently known about the involvement and interdependency of the barrier properties of the epidermis, especially the stratum corneum and various specific immunological responses in the etiopathogenesis of atopic dermatitis. Part 1 of this review depicts the role of filaggrin in atopic dermatitis while Part 2 (which will be published in an upcoming issue of The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology) evaluates the role of serine proteases and specific lipids in the structural and functional integrity of the stratum corneum and related barrier functions in atopic dermatitis. Filaggrin is a key component of the stratum corneum that is derived from a larger precursor protein and contributes to its physical strength, hydration status, skin pH, and buffering capacity among other physiochemical properties.

Interindividual variation in transdermal and oral drug deliveries.

It is generally assumed that the topical absorption of drugs is subject to more interindividual variation than the oral absorption of drugs. To date, we are unaware of any clinical studies or meta-analyses that compare the interindividual variation of transdermal and oral drug deliveries for a large number of medications. In this research article, the absorption data for 10 medications that can be used as an oral medication or a transdermal patch were compiled, and from the collected data, the interindividual variance was calculated for topical and oral absorption as an overall average and by drug.

A Guide to the Ingredients and Potential Benefits of Over-the-Counter Cleansers and Moisturizers for Rosacea Patients.

It is difficult for rosacea patients to discern which products and ingredients will be beneficial to their skin and which products will lead to an exacerbation of the signs and symptoms of rosacea. In this paper, the authors provide a brief overview of rosacea, its pathogenesis, signs and symptoms, and the management of the two major rosacea subtypes-erythematotelangiectatic rosacea and papular pustular rosacea. Reviewed in greater detail are the common ingredients used in over-the-counter cleansers and moisturizers with discussion of how these ingredients potentially benefit or harm the skin of patients with rosacea.

How much do we really know about our favorite cosmeceutical ingredients?

To date, we are unaware of a review that has investigated common cosmeceutical ingredients in order to answer the three specific questions proposed by the father of cosmeceuticals, Dr. Albert Kligman. It is the goal of this review to gather all the published scientific data on five common cosmeceutical ingredients, answer the three major questions about the scientific rationale for their use, and ascertain how much we really know about consumers' favorite cosmeceutical ingredients.

Human skin buffering capacity: an overview.

Skin surface acidity can be measured according to two criteria, its value given by pH and its strength determined by the ability of the skin to resist an acidic/alkaline aggression (i.e. acidic/alkaline resistance and neutralization tests).