Human topical research · n=109
Instrumental and dermatologist evaluation of the effect of glycerine and urea on dry skin in atopic dermatitis.
Skin research and technology : official journal of International Society for Bioengineering and the Skin (ISBS) [and] International Society for Digital Imaging of Skin (ISDIS) [and] International Society for Skin Imaging (ISSI) · 2001
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Thirty days in 109 people with atopic dermatitis: 20% glycerin, its placebo, and 4% urea plus 4% sodium chloride. The urea-saline cream had better dryness and water-loss outcomes than glycerin.
Checked against the published abstract on Sep 30, 2026. Read the source ↗
Abstract
Background/aims Moisturising creams are useful treatment adjuncts in inflammatory dermatoses and have beneficial effects in the treatment of dry, scaly skin. The effects on dryness and skin permeability of a new moisturising cream with 20% glycerine was compared with its placebo and with a medicinally authorised cream with 4% urea (combined with 4% sodium chloride) in the treatment of dry skin.Methods Patients (n=109) with atopic dermatitis were treated for 30 days with a moisturiser in a randomised, parallel and double-blind fashion. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and skin capacitance were assessed instrumentally, and changes in the dryness of the skin were assessed by the dermatologist.Results No difference in TEWL was found between glycerine treatment and its placebo, whereas a lower value was found in the urea-treated area compared to the glycerine-treated area. No difference in skin capacitance was found. The clinical assessment of dryness showed urea to be superior to glycerine in treating the condition.Conclusions Moisturising creams are different, not only with respect to composition but also with respect to their influence on skin as a barrier to water in patients with atopic dermatitis.
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