¹Department of Dermatology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA

Correspondence: Dr Zoe Diana Draelos, Dermatology Consulting Services, 2444 North Main Street, High Point, North Carolina, 27262, USA. E-mail: zdraelos@northstate.net

Received 8 May 2007; Revised 13 September 2007; Accepted 13 September 2007.

Abstract

The skin barrier, consisting of corneocytes with interspersed intercellular lipids, is a dynamic structure responsible for providing an interface between the body and the environment. When this barrier functions optimally, it can more effectively prevent skin damage that would otherwise be induced by contact with noxious environmental factors such as surfactants. Dermatologic disease also causes barrier damage that is manifested as pruritic, erythematous, desquamative skin. The use of barrier-enhancing skin cleansers and moisturizers can both maintain and aid in the restoration of skin health. New developments particularly in the realm of petrolatum-depositing liquid cleansers and niacinamide-containing moisturizers offer therapeutic solutions for diseased and healthy skin.