Dry Skin

Table of Contents

Virgin coconut oil and olive oil

In 2008 Dermatitis published a 4-week, double-blind study in which 26 subjects with dry skin caused by atopic dermatitis were treated with either virgin coconut oil or virgin olive oil. While both oils were effective, virgin coconut oil showed greater efficacy in reducing Staphylococcus aureus – a bacteria present on the skin of individuals affected by atopic dermatitis. [Source]

In 2014 the International Journal of Dermatology published a 117-patient, double-blind trial comparing virgin coconut oil to mineral oil for the treatment of atopic dermatitis. After 8 weeks, of those in the virgin coconut oil group, 47 percent achieved moderate improvement and 46 percent saw excellent results. In the mineral oil group 34 percent saw moderate results and 19 percent achieved excellent results. [Source]
In 2004 Dermatitis published a double-blind trial involving 34 patients comparing extra-virgin coconut oil to mineral oil for the treatment of xerosis (dry skin). Both oils proved to be safe and effective treatment options. [Source]

In 2005 International Journal of Dermatology published a controlled study in which individuals with dry skin saw a reduction in roughness, dryness and redness after 6 weeks when using a 5 percent dead sea salt solution for 15 minutes daily. [Source]

In 2015 the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology published a study involving 29 female subjects with mild-to-moderate itch with moderate-to-severe dry skin on their lower legs. Results showed significant clinical improvements in roughness, dryness, scaling and itch when treated with a colloidal oatmeal skin lotion. [Source]

In 2015 the Journal of Dermatological Science published a controlled animal study which showed that rats treated with fish oil supplements for 90 days exhibited increased skin hydration and elimination of itching and dry skin. [Source]

In 2005 the International Journal of Dermatology published a study in which 28 patients with atopic dermatitis applied 2 percent nicotinamide cream to one forearm and petroleum to the other forearm twice-daily for a 4 or 8 week period. The results showed nicotinamide was significantly more effective than white petroleum in moisturizing skin. [Source]

In 2015 Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology published a study involving 49 healthy females which found that women who consumed an additional 2 liters (approximately 8 cups) of water daily saw significant modifications in deep skin hydration after 30 days. [Source]

In 2002 Acta dermato Venereologica published a double-blind study in which 197 patients with atopic dermatitis were treated for 30 days with either a 20 percent glycerin cream, a cream base with no active ingredient or a cream with 4 percent urea and 4 percent sodium chloride. While the glycerin and urea/sodium chloride creams were equally effective in treating dry skin, the glycerin had a lower rate of adverse skin reactions. [Source]
In 2001 the International Journal of Cosmetic Science published a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial which showed that 10 days of treatment with a 20 percent glycerin-containing cream was superior to a placebo in improving skin hydration, but not transepidermal water loss, in a group of 17 healthy volunteers. [Source]