This review shows that moisturizers work on four different levels of your skin barrier — physical (sealing in water), chemical (maintaining healthy pH and ceramide production), microbiologic (supporting good bacteria), and immunologic (reducing allergen entry). The research confirms that regular moisturizing actually improves water retention and barrier function across all these layers, which matters especially if you have conditions like eczema or sensitive skin.

This wasn't an experiment — it's a research review that analyzed existing studies on how skin barriers work and how moisturizers repair them. The authors looked at the science behind different moisturizer types (occlusives, humectants, emollients) and their effects on each barrier layer.

Funding not disclosed in abstract