Consistency is key to improving dry skin

A randomized, investigator-blinded study recently published in the Journal of Dermatological Treatment evaluated 52 patients with moderate to severe dry skin to determine how a daily skin care routine of a mild cleanser and moisturizer impacts skin health and quality-of-life (QoL).¹ While it is known that moisturizing skin care products can have beneficial effects on dry skin, the role of a daily skin care routine is understudied, according to authors.

Of the 52 patients included in the trial, 39 used mild cleanser and moisturizer twice daily for 2 weeks and the other 13 patients used mild cleanser without moisturizer. The total clinical score (TSC) which included erythema, scale and fissures, Visual Dryness Score (VDS), and subjective itch-related quality-of-life (ItchyQoL) data were collected.

There was significantly more improvement in TCS and VDS in the treatment group vs control after 2 weeks. Also, in the 3 components of IthcyQoL, symptoms, functioning, and emotions, the treatment group demonstrated a greater improvement compared to the control group. More than 80% of the patients in the treatment group also agreed that the regimen led to a decrease in both dryness and itch while improving the skin texture.

Overall, a consistent skin care regimen should be an integral component of management of dry skin, the authors concluded.

This article was originally published by Dermatology Times.

Reference

1. Kim S, Ly BK, Ha JH, et al. A consistent skin care regimen leads to objective and subjective improvements in dry human skin: investigator-blinded randomized clinical trial. Journal of Dermatological Treatment. 2020;0(0):1-6. doi:10.1080/09546634.2020.1751037