Taking It Back to Basics: Re-emphasizing the Role of Moisturization in Atopic Dermatitis.

Abstract

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common, burdensome inflammatory skin disease. In recent years, multiple safe and effective monotherapy treatments directly targeting immune dysregulation in AD have been approved and integrated into clinical practice. Although the etiopathogenesis of AD is complex, it is widely recognized that alongside immune dysregulation, skin barrier disruption also plays an essential role in disease pathophysiology. For this reason, regular moisturization has been a foundational mainstay of therapy, consistently recommended by treatment guidelines regardless of disease severity or therapeutic approach. It is vital for healthcare providers to continuously educate patients and caregivers about the importance of optimizing skin barrier function by maintaining proper moisturization as part of their treatment plan and help them make data-driven decisions to navigate the wide array of available products.