Clinical Assessment of Synthetic Detergent Cleansers in Subjects with Problem Skin

Abstract

Synthetic detergent cleansers have been formulated to clean as well as, or better than, conventional soap, while being optimally tolerated by those whose hands and fingers are exposed to occupational irritants, and by those who suffer from “problem” skin that is easily irritated or tends to be affected by eczema. Soap- free cleanser concentrates provide an alternative for those who cannot tolerate soap, and are widely used for the cleansing and care of normal and of diseased skin. In fact, synthetic cleansers used in conjunction with topical dermatological agents may be regarded as a disease modifying management principle [1, 2, 4] for patients with problem skin. In this context, “problem skin” means skin that tends to be abnormally sensitive or irritable, such as the skin of atopics, especially those suffering from neurodermatitis, or skin with pre- or post-eczematous lesions (both exogenous or endogenous eczema) that require care and/or treatment.