Is there room for improvement in the emollients for adjuvant therapy?

Emollients play an important part in the management of patients with dry skin disorders, such as atopy, allergy, eczema, psoriasis or dryness following chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Their use in the treatment of diseased and sensitive skin requires not only an efficient hydrating and lipid-replenishing effect on the skin, but minimal risk for skin irritation or sensitization. This will be influenced by their formulation and number and type of ingredients and, due to the nature of their application, requires clinical testing to ensure their appropriateness for dermatological rather than cosmetic use. A new generation of emollients has been developed for the care of dry, or very dry, and sensitive skin. Among these, Dardia (R) Lipo Line (Intendis GmbH, Berlin, Germany) has been formulated specifically for use in post-therapy preventive skin care. The current clinical evidence for this line of emollients is reviewed here.