Topical compositions containing osmolytes, useful e.g. for treating or preventing dry skin or inflammatory conditions of the skin, e.g. eczema, polymorphic light dermatosis or psoriasis

The use of osmolytes (or their precursors or derivatives) is claimed in topically applied cosmetic or dermatological compositions (I) for the treatment or prophylaxis of a wide range of specific conditions of the skin. The use of one or more of osmolytes (or their precursors or derivatives), optionally together with one or more of electrolytes, polyols and/or urea, is claimed in topically applied cosmetic or dermatological compositions (I) for: (a) treating and/or actively preventing of dry skin; (b) reinforcing the barrier function of skin; (c) treatment, care and/or prophylaxis of sensitive skin; (d) treatment and prophylaxis of the symptoms of negative abnormalities in the physiological homeostasis of healthy skin, especially deficiency, sensitivity or hypoactivity states of the skin and/or exoskeleton, inflammatory states of the skin (specifically atopic eczema, polymorphic light dermatosis, psoriasis or vitiligo) or sensitive, itchy or irritated skin; (e) combating abnormalities in normal lipoperoxidation, the ceramide, lipid and energy metabolism of healthy skin, physiological transepidermal water loss, natural moisturizing factor content or the normal hyaluronic acid or glucosaminoglycan content; (f) combating reduction in skin hydration and moisture content, reduction in intracellular communication, deficiency in intracellular DNA synthesis, DNA damage, defective endogenous DNA repair mechanisms, activation of metalloproteinases and/or other proteinases and abnormalities in normal post-translational modification of connective tissue components; (g) combating dandruff of the hair and scalp; and (h) combating skin aging. The invention relates to the use of a) a compound or several compounds from the osmolyte group or the precursors and derivatives thereof, b) optionally a compound or several compounds from the electrolyte group and, c) optionally a compound or several compounds from the group formed by polyalcohols and urea, in topically used preparations (cosmetics, dermatics), for the treatment and active prevention of dry skin and for strengthening the barrier function of the skin. The invention also relates to the use of said compounds in the treatment, care and prevention of sensitive skin and/or for the treatment and prevention of the symptoms of a negative alteration in the physiological homeostasis of healthy skin, especially deficient, sensitive or hypo-active skin conditions or deficient, sensitive or hypo-active conditions of skin appendag