BACKGROUND/AIMS: The hydrating properties of three moisturising preparations, commonly recommended for the treatment of dry skin, were compared by utilising non-invasive measuring methods.

METHODS

The preparations were Decubal®/Abitima® cream, Dumex Ltd; pH5-Eucerin® ointment, Beiersdorf; and Essex® cream, Schering Plough. Skicon-200® and a Corneometer CM 420® were used for assessment of skin hydration. Readings of the transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and skin temperature were also taken. The study was conducted in 2 parts, each with 12 women. The preparations were applied to a designated area on the forearms 2× a day for 7 days; the 4th, untreated, area served as control. Readings were taken before the start of treatment and every morning during the treatment period and the following week.

RESULTS

Both electrical measuring methods showed that hydration of the stratum corneum increased after a few days of treatment, especially after the application of Decubal®/Abitima®. TEWL was not affected by any of the treatments.

CONCLUSIONS

The two electrical methods ranked the products consistently, i.e. Decubal®/Abitima® >pH5-Eucerin® >Essex®. Conductance (Skicon-200) was more discriminative than capacitance (Corneometer CM420). However, these methods are not water specific. TEWL was not affected by the treatments.