BARRIER CREAMS - COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE BARRIER CREAMS VERSUS UREA-CONTAINING AND GLYCEROL-CONTAINING OIL-IN-WATER EMULSIONS

Repetitive washing with 0.01 mol/l sodium lauryl sulphate solution for one week was followed by a measurable skin function disorder as evalu ated by corneometry, laser Doppler flowmetry, and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) measurements. The application of commercially available b arrier creams (Marly Skin(R), Saniwip(R), Tactosan(R)) as well as the application of well-defined oil-in-water emulsions containing 10% urea or 10% glycerol, respectively, significantly reduced skin function de terioration following repetitive washings. Urea and glycerol containin g oil-in-water emulsions were at least as effective as the most effect ive commercial barrier cream Tactosan and had the additional advantage of better user acceptance.