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Skin Lubricant

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Skin Lubricant, Emollient, Bland Emollient, Moisturizer, Moisturizing Lotion

  • Indications
  1. Dry Skin Management
  2. Pruritus Management
  • Mechanism
  1. Ointments, Lotions and creams trap existing moisture in skin
  2. Moisturizing is a misnomer
    1. Skin Emollients do not add moisture to skin
  3. Hypoallergenic agents are preferred
    1. Fragrance free
    2. Dye free
  4. Moisture trapping effectiveness (highest lipid or oil content)
    1. Best moisture trapping: Oils or Ointments (e.g. Petroleum Jelly)
    2. Moderate moisture trapping: Creams
    3. Least moisture trapping: Lotions
  • Technique
  1. Apply to affected area immediately after bathing
    1. Pat dry and apply lotion or cream
  2. Apply periodically throughout day
  3. Apply each time skin is washed
  • Preparations
  1. Most effective agents are Bland Emollients with high oil and low water content (but least tolerated)
    1. Mineral Oil
    2. Vegetable shortening (Crisco)
    3. Petroleum Jelly (Vaseline)
      1. Petroleum Jelly (Vaseline)
      2. Oils
  2. Moderately effective agents (ointment better than cream better than lotion)
    1. Vanicream
    2. Eucerin
    3. Lubriderm
    4. Aveeno lotion
    5. Moisturel
    6. Curel
    7. Neutrogena
  • Preparations
  • Second generation Emollients add ceramide lipids (barrier repair therapies)
  1. Agents (most require a prescription)
    1. Cerave
    2. Restoraderm
    3. Mymix
    4. Atopiclair
    5. EpiCeram
    6. Eletone
    7. NeoSalus
  2. Efficacy
    1. Much more costly and no significant advantage when compared to standard Emollients
    2. Draelos (2009) J Cosmet Dermatol 8(1): 40-3 [PubMed]
    3. Miller (2011) J Drugs Dermatol 10(5): 531-7 +PMID: 21533301 [PubMed]
  • References
  1. Draelos (2000) Dermatol Clin 18(4):597-607 [PubMed]