The role of emollients in the treatment of psoriasis In addition to the inflammatory response of the organism, dry skin is also an important cause of itchy skin in psoriasis patients. Very early on, scientists discovered that the transepidermal water loss in psoriatic lesions is faster than in normal skin. In recent years, the results of studies on skin barrier disruption in psoriasis patients have continued to confirm this. A study comparing the skin conditions of 60 patients with psoriasis vulgaris and 48 healthy controls found that the water content of the stratum corneum in psoriasis lesions was reduced and transepidermal water loss was increased, thus making emollient therapy an alternative to conventional topical treatment. So, how do emollients work in the treatment of psoriasis? Emollients can mimic the natural moisturizing system composed of oil, water and natural moisturizing factors on the surface of human skin, which can form a dense film on the skin surface, prevent the evaporation of water from the deeper layers of the skin, hydrate the stratum corneum itself, and soften the keratin, increase the water content of the skin, reduce the production of scales in psoriasis, and alleviate the itching symptoms of patients. In addition, emollients can increase drug permeability, thus improving the efficacy of topical hormones, and can even exert corticosteroid-like effects in psoriatic lesions, which can play a good role in promoting the treatment of psoriasis. Compared with the current conventional topical glucocorticoid preparations and vitamin D3 derivatives, emollients cause light side effects and discomfort, especially for people with microscopic psoriasis, diaper psoriasis, flexural psoriasis, psoriatic skin damaged by local drugs, women during pregnancy and childbearing age, etc. Emollient-only treatment occupies a very important position. The clinical efficiency of emollient-only treatment varies widely, ranging from 15% to 47%, which is related to the ingredients contained in the emollient. Generally, emollient creams without additives or emollients with moisturizing ingredients are used.