The Chemistry of Skin Cleansers: An Overview for Clinicians

Fowler, Joseph F. Jr MD
Eichenfield, Lawrence F. MD
Elias, Peter M. MD
Horowitz, Paul MD
McLeod, Renee P. PhD, APRN-BC, CPNP

^* Clinical Professor of Dermatology, Contact and Occupational Dermatology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY.
^† Professor of Clinical Pediatrics and Medicine (Dermatology), University of California, San Diego, Chief, Pediatric and Adolescent Dermatology, Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA.
^‡ Professor Emeritus, Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Francisco, and Dermatology Service, VAMC, San Francisco, CA.
^§ Private Practice, Discovery Pediatrics, Inc., Valencia, CA.
^|| Dean and Professor, Musco School of Nursing and Health Profession, Brandman University, Irvine, CA.

Publication of this CME article was jointly sponsored by the University of Louisville School of Medicine Continuing Medical Education and Global Academy for Medical Education, LLC, and is supported by an educational grant from Johnson & Johnson Consumer and Personal Products Worldwide, Division of Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc.

The faculty have received an honorarium from Global Academy for Medical Education for their participation in this activity. They acknowledge the editorial assistance of Joanne Still, medical writer, and Global Academy for Medical Education in the development of this continuing medical education journal article. Joanne Still has no relevant financial relationships with any commercial interests.

Peter M. Elias, MD, has no relevant financial relationships with any commercial interests.

Lawrence F. Eichenfield, MD, has been an investigator and/or consultant for Galderma Laboratories, Stiefel a GSK company, and Valeant Pharmaceuticals International.

Joseph F. Fowler, Jr, MD, has been a consultant and/or speaker and/or investigator for 3M, Abbott Laboratories, Allerderm, Allergan, Amgen Astellas Pharma US, Inc, Centocor, Dermik, Dow Pharmaceutical Sciences, Inc., Eli Lilly and Company, Galderma Laboratories, L.P., GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products Company, Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation, Merck Pharmaceuticals, Merz Aesthetics, Novartis Pharmaceutical Corporation, OnSet, Promius, Pfizer, Quinnova, Ranbaxy, SmartPractice, Taisho, Taro, and Valeant Pharmaceuticals International.

Paul Horowitz, MD, FAAP, has been a speaker and/or consultant and/or researcher for Abbott Laboratories and Johnson & Johnson Consumer Personal Products Worldwide.

Renee P. McLeod, PhD, APRN-BC, CPNP, FAANP has been a speaker and/or consultant for Johnson & Johnson Consumer Personal Products Worldwide.

Address reprint requests to: Joseph F. Fowler, Jr, MD, 3100 Boxhill Lane, Louisville, KY, 40222; 502-583-7546, [email protected]

Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine & Surgery 32(2):p S25-S27, June 2013.

ABSTRACT Cleansers and other skin care products can be agents either of stratum corneum damage and skin barrier dysfunction or of maintaining or restoring healthy stratum corneum barrier structure and function. To guide patients toward beneficial choices most suitable for their individual skin conditions and needs, clinicians must be aware of and understand the ingredients in such skin care products and their potential effects on the stratum corneum barrier. In cleansers specifically, clinicians should be aware particularly of the benefits and potential problems associated with chemical components of surfactants, preservatives, and fragrances.