Types of moisturizers

Action	Mechanism of action	Indication	Examples	Comments
Occlusive	Blocks transepidermal water loss Barrier	Xerosis Atopic dermatitis Prevention of irritant contact dermatitis	Petrolatum Zinc oxide Lanolin Mineral oil Silicones	Messy, comedogenic Cosmetically unacceptable May cause folliculitis (mineral oil) or contact dermatitis (lanolin)
Humectant	Attracts water to stratum corneum	Xerosis Ichthyosis	Urea Alpha hydroxy acids Glycerin Sorbitol Lactic acid	May cause irritation (urea, lactic acid)
Emollient	Smooths skin	Decrease skin roughness	Cholesterol Squalene Fatty acids	Not always effective
Replacement of deficiencies in "raw materials" of the intact stratum corneum	Claims to replenish essential skin components	Possibly skin rejuvenation	Ceramides, natural moisturizing factor	May improve skin moisturization and barrier function, but unproven

Adapted from Lynde CW. Moisturizers: what they are and how they work. Skin Therapy Lett 2001; 6:3.

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