Anti-Inflammatory Moisturizer May Relieve Facial Dermatitis Symptoms

HealthDay News — Facial moisturizers with specific ingredients may be effective for treating mild-to-moderate dermatitis, according to a study published online in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.

Waranya Boonchai, MD, from Mahidol University in Bangkok, and colleagues compared the efficacy of moisturizer containing 4-t-butylcyclohexanol (a sensitivity regulator) and licochalcone A (an anti-inflammatory agent from Glycyrrhiza inflata licorice plant) to 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide (TA) for treating facial dermatitis in 80 randomly assigned participants.

The researchers found that compared to baseline assessments, both treatments showed a statistically significant improvement based on physician clinical assessment, skin hydration, transepidermal water loss, and patient-assessed visual analog scale following 2 and 4 weeks of treatment.

However, better skin hydration was seen with the test facial moisturizer vs topical corticosteroids. Patients’ subjective evaluation demonstrated TA more rapidly improved sensation sensitivity.

“The test facial moisturizer was slower than 0.02% TA in improving facial dermatitis, but showed greater benefit in erythema control and skin hydration,” the authors write.

Reference

Boonchai W, Varothai S, Winayanuwattikun W, Phaitoonvatanakij S, Chaweekulrat P, Kasemsarn P. Randomized investigator-blinded comparative study of moisturizer containing 4-t-butylcyclohexanol and licochalcone A versus 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in facial dermatitis [published online February 6, 2018]. J Cosmet Dermatol. doi: 10.1111/jocd.12499