Effects of repeated application of a moisturizer

Epidermal hydration following repeated application of an oil in water emulsion was studied on the forearm skin of 16 healthy females by non-invasive methods. The lotion was applied twice daily for 7 days, and values were followed 7 days after cessation of treatment. The opposite forearm served as an untreated control. Electrical conductance and capacitance showed similar results, i.e. increased values (p less than 0.001) after 2 days of application, reaching a plateau during further applications. Two days after cessation, values were still increased (p less than 0.001), and the conductance was also increased 7 days after cessation of treatment. The water evaporation and the cutaneous blood flow did not change, i.e. indicating no mild irritant effect. Skin surface lipids did not change, i.e. indicating that no significant amounts of emulsion oil remained on the skin at the time of recording. Probably components of the oil phase of the emulsion are absorbed into the epidermis, which is associated with improved hydration as a later event.