Beiersdorf, Inc.

Horst Wenck

Henning Sattler

Karlheinz Schrader

Sven Thormahlen

Methods and compositions for the treatment of dry skin involve the topical application to affected sites of a composition comprising from about 1% to about 12% by weight of urea and from about 1% to about 10% by weight of and alkali or an earth metal salt of lactic acid such as sodium, potassium or calcium lactate or a mixture of these salts in water-in-oil emulsions. In lotion embodiments, the emulsion typically contains from about 1% to about 10% by weight, more narrowly from about 2% to about 5% by weight, lactate and from about 1% to about 10% by weight, more narrowly from about 2% to about 5% by weight, urea. In cream embodiments, the emulsion typically contains from about 1% to about 5% by weight, more narrowly from about 2% to about 4% by weight, lactate, and from about 3% to about 15% by weight, more narrowly from about 5% to about 10% by weight, urea. Application of the compositions of the invention to the skin controls transepidermal water loss and minimizes disturbance of the epidermal barrier layer.

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Norderstedt, Germany

Horst Wenck