The role of moisturization as an essential component of atopic dermatitis treatment: It’s all about the fundamentals

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, pruritic inflammatory skin disorder resulting from dysfunction of the skin barrier and dysregulation of the immune system. Recent advances in the understanding of AD pathogenesis have resulted in the development of novel, target-specific treatment options. Though these agents are highly effective, routine moisturization still remains a cornerstone of treatment and protection for the dysfunctional skin barrier and is a fundamental part of overall AD management. Adequate knowledge of over-the-counter moisturizer formulations and ingredients is key in helping health care providers and patients choose the most appropriate product for their individual needs. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of AD pathophysiology and the role that therapeutic moisturizers play in addressing many of these deficits for patients with AD of all severities. By considering moisturizer formulation and the clinical benefit of routine moisturization, dermatology health care providers can best optimize treatment regimens for all AD patients.