ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the effect of topical olive oil, vaseline cream and menthol ointment on skin barrier function of patients with senile xerosis. Methods Totally 32 participants with senile xerosis were enrolled in this randomized double-blind self-controlled study for 8 weeks. Four black square spaces were marked on bilateral forearms of each volunteer, and three were treated with olive oil, vaseline cream and menthol ointment, respectively, once a day for 8 weeks, and the last one was taken as control. Skin barrier function was evaluated at 2, 4, and 8 weeks after experiment by measuring the water content of the stratum corneum, transepidermal water loss (TKWL), and skin pH value. Results Compared with the control group, the water contents of stratum corneum in the olive oil, vaseline cream and menthol ointment groups were significantly increased (P<0.05), and the TEWL value and skin pH value were significantly decreased (P<0.05) at 8 weeks. There were no significant difference in the water content of stratum corneum, TEWL value, or pH value between 3 experiment groups. Conclusion Topical olive oil can improve the skin barrier function of patients with senile xerosis, and vaseline cream and menthol ointment also can repair the skin barrier function.