[Research] How necessary is moisturizer really?

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It seems it’s a universally accepted idea that moisturizer should be applied and left on the skin everyday... but for those who do not have eczema or psoriasis, how necessary is it really?It seems most studies on the matter show negative effects of moisturizers from longterm use. However, most of these studies have little details on the moisturizers being used and their ingredients.“The impact of long-term use of moisturisers on normal skin has recently been studied and has shown some alarming adverse effects such as an increase in TEWL, reduced capacitance (ie, greater dryness) as well as increased sensitivity to irritants.29”Source: https://www.pharmaceutical-journal.com/files/rps-pjonline/pdf/pj20110416_cpd.pdfStudy referenced: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/17300239/“Changes were found in the barrier function of normal skin after 7 weeks of treatment with the test preparations. The simplified creams and the lipid-free gel increased TEWL and skin response to SLS, while the ordinary cream had the opposite effect. One of the simplified creams also decreased skin capacitance. All test preparations were shown to be nonirritant, both by short-term irritancy patch test and by measurement of blood flow after long-term treatment.”So other than the cream containing urea (the ordinary cream), the others (whose ingredients we do not know), not only increased TEWL (something moisturizers should do the opposite of!), one also decreased skin capacitance, and also made skin more susceptible to irritants like SLS.Study Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/12430728/?i=10&from=/18616783/related“Long-term use of moisturizers increases skin capacitance significantly, but does not change the mechanical properties.”Again, we have no clue what moisturizer was used or any details about its ingredients. Though this seems to side with longterm use of moisturizers as it increases skin capacitance, but does not mention TEWL or susceptibility to irritants.Study Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/10086859/?i=2&from=/12430728/related“The results suggest that long-term treatment with moisturizers on normal skin may increase skin susceptibility to irritants.”This study seems to agree with the first that long term, moisturizers can increase susceptibility to irritants. However, unlike the first one, it found increased capacitance in the skin treated with moisturizer.Study Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/22507043/?i=4&from=/22913439/related“Differing outcomes have also been reported in healthy skin: some moisturizers produce deterioration in skin barrier function and others improve the skin.”Based on these studies, it seems that long term, moisturizers can do the opposite of what we think they do (reduce TEWL, reduce susceptibility to irritants, increase skin capacitance) when it comes to normal skin (skin that does not have eczema or psoriasis). In addition, some moisturizers can improve skin function and others can decrease it and isn’t clear at all what ingredients in a moisturizer can improve skin function, and which ones can decrease it, except for possibly urea which seems to show good results. In addition, it seems there is a general disconnect between what the research is showing and the commercial moisturizers available to us. In conclusion, there isn’t really enough research backing up the claim that everyone should moisturize everyday and that it actually does what we believe it does. Those with eczema and psoriasis may benefit greatly from moisturizers, but for those with normal skin, it seems quite debatable.If anyone has more studies to add, please do so!
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Submitted by nohappyhere