Introduction: Dry skin is a hallmark of impaired skin barrier function. Moisturizers are a mainstay of treatment to help the skin retain moisture, and there is a high consumer demand for effective products. However, the development and optimization of new formulations are hampered due to lack of reliable efficacy measures using in vitro models.
Methods: In this study, a microscopy-based barrier functional assay was developed using an in vitro skin model of chemically induced barrier damage to evaluate the occlusive activity of moisturizers.
Results: The assay was validated by demonstrating the different effects on barrier function between humectant (glycerol) and occlusive (petrolatum). Significant changes in barrier function were observed upon tissue disruption, which was ameliorated by commercial moisturizing products.
Conclusion: This newly developed experimental method may be helpful to develop new and improved occlusive moisturizers for the treatment of dry skin conditions.