Efficacy, Safety, and Applications of Skin Protectants

The skin barrier is essential for protection against allergens, irritants, and pathogens and is intimately involved in a variety of inflammatory conditions. As such, approaches to treating these inflammatory skin conditions could involve the repair and protection of the skin barrier. This form of treatment can be delivered in the form of skin protectants, though their protective value remains questionable. Evidence suggests that skin protectants could form an additional layer of protection against harmful substances that could penetrate the skin barrier. However, although several studies support the efficacy of skin protectants, others suggest potentially aggravating effects instead. The range of active ingredients included in skin protectant formulas varies widely, which could account for these observed differences. While the use of skin protectants could prove beneficial in populations at higher risk of exposure to irritants, their effectiveness may be hindered by a lack of proper adherence. The findings gathered from the existing literature on skin protectants appear promising, though further investigation must be conducted to better understand their protective effects against conventional barrier repair approaches. J Drugs Dermatol. 2022;21(9):977-982. doi:10.36849/JDD.6705.