Editing Moisturizer (section)

== Use ==
Moisturizers are used for the treatment of certain skin diseases, such as [[psoriasis]], [[ichthyosis vulgaris]], [[xerosis]], and [[pruritus]] in [[atopic dermatitis]]. More often, they are bases or vehicles for [[topical medication]], such as in [[Whitfield's ointment]]. They are often combined with humectants, such as [[salicylic acid]] and [[urea]].<ref>{{citation | editor=Tony Burns|display-editors=etal| title=Rook's Textbook of Dermatology | edition=8th | year=2010}}</ref>

Moisturizers are also widely used in [[sunscreen]]s, [[antiperspirant]]s, [[skin cleanser]]s, [[shaving cream]]s, [[aftershave]]s, and [[hair tonic]]s.

Moisturizers are used in [[disposable diaper]]s to prevent dry skin and [[Irritant diaper dermatitis|diaper dermatitis]].

Moisturizers show some beneficial effects in treating [[atopic dermatitis]] (eczema). Using moisturizers helps to improve skin comfort and may reduce disease flares.<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Ridd MJ, Roberts A, Grindlay D, Williams HC |date=October 2019 |title=Which emollients are effective and acceptable for eczema in children? |url=https://research-information.bris.ac.uk/ws/files/219950607/bmj.l5882.full.pdf |url-status=live |journal=BMJ |volume=367 |pages=l5882 |doi=10.1136/bmj.l5882 |pmid=31649114 |s2cid=204882682 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230411114201/https://research-information.bris.ac.uk/ws/files/219950607/bmj.l5882.full.pdf |archive-date=2023-04-11 |access-date=2023-04-11}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last1=van Zuuren|first1=Esther J|last2=Fedorowicz|first2=Zbys|last3=Christensen|first3=Robin|last4=Lavrijsen|first4=Adriana PM|last5=Arents|first5=Bernd WM|date=2017-02-06|title=Emollients and moisturisers for eczema|journal=Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews|type=Review|volume=2|issue=8|pages=CD012119|doi=10.1002/14651858.cd012119.pub2|pmid=28166390|issn=1465-1858|pmc=6464068}}</ref> They can be used as leave-on treatments, bath additives, or [[Soap substitute|soap substitutes]]. There are many different moisturizer products, but the majority of leave-on treatments (from least to most greasy) are one of the following: lotions, creams, gels, or ointments. As none of the different types of moisturizers are more effective than the others, people with atopic dermatitis need to choose one or more products according to their age, affected body site, climate/season, and personal preference.<ref name=":5">{{cite journal |display-authors=6 |vauthors=Ridd MJ, Santer M, MacNeill SJ, Sanderson E, Wells S, Webb D, Banks J, Sutton E, Roberts A, Liddiard L, Wilkins Z, Clayton J, Garfield K, Barrett TJ, Lane JA, Baxter H, Howells L, Taylor J, Hay AD, Williams HC, Thomas KS |date=August 2022 |title=Effectiveness and safety of lotion, cream, gel, and ointment emollients for childhood eczema: a pragmatic, randomised, phase 4, superiority trial |journal=The Lancet. Child & Adolescent Health |volume=6 |issue=8 |pages=522–532 |doi=10.1016/S2352-4642(22)00146-8 |pmid=35617974 |s2cid=249024141 |doi-access=free |hdl-access=free |hdl=1983/e4009d3c-127f-4aa9-bf71-e40401b33eee}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> However using moisturizers daily in infants during the first year of life does not help to prevent the development of atopic dermatitis, and might even increase the risk of skin infections.<ref name="NIHR Evidence-2024">{{Cite report |url=https://evidence.nihr.ac.uk/collection/eczema-in-children-uncertainties-addressed/ |title=Eczema in children: uncertainties addressed |date=2024-03-19 |publisher=NIHR Evidence |doi=10.3310/nihrevidence_62438 |language=en|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Kelleher MM, Phillips R, Brown SJ, Cro S, Cornelius V, Carlsen KC, Skjerven HO, Rehbinder EM, Lowe AJ, Dissanayake E, Shimojo N, Yonezawa K, Ohya Y, Yamamoto-Hanada K, Morita K, Axon E, Cork M, Cooke A, Van Vogt E, Schmitt J, Weidinger S, McClanahan D, Simpson E, Duley L, Askie LM, Williams HC, Boyle RJ |date=November 2022 |title=Skin care interventions in infants for preventing eczema and food allergy |journal=The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews |volume=2022 |issue=11 |pages=CD013534 |doi=10.1002/14651858.CD013534.pub3 |pmc=9661877 |pmid=36373988 |collaboration=Cochrane Skin Group}}</ref>