Hill has remained true to its commitment to dermatology and skin health. The foundation of Hill’s prescription dermatology products are its vehicles, also known as product base formulations without any active medication ingredients. Our vehicles contain refined peanut oil and have been shown to keep moisture in the skin, supporting the effectiveness of Hill’s prescription drug products indicated for chronic, dry skin conditions. This has been demonstrated in clinical studies for Derma-Smoothe/FS (comparing the prescription drug to its vehicle) and is reflected in the acceptance of — and loyalty to — Hill’s products by prescribers and patients alike.
For this reason, we have introduced a Consumer Line of skin moisturizers based on our product vehicles that have been used as placebo comparisons in clinical studies. Visit the online store here.
You might be wondering why we use refined peanut oil in many of our products. The reason is that refined peanut oil contains two essential fatty acids — linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid — which have been shown to (1) improve the skin’s barrier functionality and (2) help maintain appropriate hydration of the skin1,2.
Typically, adding oil to the skin is the not the first step that comes to most people’s minds when selecting skincare products. However, your body makes and utilizes a variety of oils in order to maintain healthy, clear skin and complexion. Oils are a necessary and important part of the body’s dermatological system, and several glands in the skin produce natural oils to moisturize, cleanse, and protect the body’s external barrier system3. When skin becomes over-cleansed, or stressed by UV radiation (e.g. the sun), chemical irritants, or other external factors, the skin can become dry, flaky and discolored as well as lose its ability to protect the body from pathogens4. This dryness is closely related to several skin conditions, including atopic skin, psoriasis, ichthymosis, and contact dermatitis, among others4.
That’s where refined peanut oil can help.
Several studies have illustrated how important essential fatty acids are for the health and moisture level of the skin, and how a lack of these nutrients can lead to conditions where the skin can become dry or scaly.5 Still more studies indicate that topical application of these essential fatty acids can aid in improving the skin’s natural hydration barrier and protecting against dryness.6
The body is able to synthesize most of the acids it needs on its own, with the exception of the two acids found in refined peanut oil: linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids. Linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids must be obtained from an external, plant-based source, and they are both found in abundance in refined peanut oil. This is not the case for other oils.
The use of the essential fatty acids found in refined peanut oil can lead to improvement in the appearance of skin texture and coloration, as well as increased health of the stratum corneum7. The stratum corneum is the outermost layer of the epidermis, and its primary responsibility is to maintain the hydration status of the skin. It is the major barrier that protects your skin and keeps it looking dewy, soft, and hydrated. By taking care of your stratum corneum, you are taking care of the part of your skin that is responsible for its overall appearance and health. The application of refined peanut oil, and the two essential fatty acids it contains, may be an easy, non-drying8 step towards healthier, more radiant skin.
