Ethanol-Based Disinfectants Containing Urea May Reduce Soap Sensitivity.

Background: The use of disinfectants is crucial to preventing the spread of nosocomial infections in health care workers. As many as 25 applications of hand disinfectants is a realistic default value during a working day. However, alcohol-based hand disinfectants may weaken skin barrier function and induce dryness and eczema, which decrease their acceptance.

Treatments Improving Skin Barrier Function.

Moisturizers affect the stratum corneum architecture and barrier homeostasis, i.e. topically applied ingredients are not as inert to the skin as one might expect.

Interactions between the stratum corneum and topically applied products: regulatory, instrumental and formulation issues with focus on moisturizers.

Virtually everyone in Europe will use at least one cosmetic product every day. The extensive use of cosmetics and results from measurements of quality of life in patients with skin diseases demonstrate the importance of a healthy skin. The skin is not only a barrier against desiccation and intrusion of harmful materials, but also an organ of social communication, where dry, scaly, rough stratum corneum is unappealing to touch, inducing anxiety and depression.

The influence of a humectant-rich mixture on normalz skin barrier function and on once- and twice-daily treatment of foot xerosis. A prospective, randomized, evaluator-blind, bilateral and untreated-control study.

Background: Moisturizers are often used to overcome dry skin conditions. However, cosmetic moisturizers may lack in efficiency and may also deteriorate skin barrier function. The objective of this study was to generate data on a new humectant-rich formulation (15% alfahydroxy acids and 15% urea) in the treatment of normal skin as well as in dry feet with hyperkeratosis and cracked skin with fissures.

Effect of moisturizers on epidermal barrier function.

A daily moisturizing routine is a vital part of the management of patients with atopic dermatitis and other dry skin conditions. The composition of the moisturizer determines whether the treatment strengthens or deteriorates the skin barrier function, which may have consequences for the outcome of the dermatitis. One might expect that a patient's impaired skin barrier function should improve in association with a reduction in the clinical signs of dryness.

No skin reactions to mineral powders in nickel-sensitive subjects.

Background: Cosmetic products are known to be able to induce contact dermatitis. Contact dermatitis may also be induced by nickel, and it is estimated that up to 17% of women are allergic to nickel.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to investigate whether nickel sensitized individuals react to make-up products containing pigments with nickel as an impurity.

Sunscreen use: controversies, challenges and regulatory aspects.

Mismatches between skin pigmentation and modern lifestyle continue to challenge our naked skin. One of our responses to these challenges is the development and use of sunscreens. The management of sunscreens has to balance their protective effect against erythema, photocarcinogenesis and photoageing owing to the potential toxicity of the ultraviolet (UV) filters for humans and the environment.