Can a product that promises dryness also moisturize?

The reason that women use underarm antiperspirants is to control underarm wetness and odor. But what many women don't know is that while you are trying to prevent sweating wetness, it is also important to preserve the health and moisturization of underarm skin. 

Underarm skin is among the thinnest and most delicate skin on the body (Maibach, 1971).   In addition to being thin, most women (78% in North America) shave this area regularly, potentially leaving the skin damaged and the skin barrier compromised.  Damaged skin barrier results in loss of moisture and the dehydrated skin can become itchy and irritated.

P&G Beauty researchers have developed unique "conditioning soft solid" formulas for antiperspirants which actually help improve the moisturization of underarm skin.  The formula contains petrolatum.  The f Petrolatum is a skin conditioner that is known to be a highly effective moisturizing substance.  Its efficacy is due to the fact that it coats the outer layer of the skin to prevent any loss of water from the skin.  It accelerates the wound healing process by being incorporated within the lipid bilayer structure of the epidermis, thus leading to more rapid repair in damaged skin.  It is by far the most effective moisturizing ingredient for dry skin recommended by dermatologists (1998 dermatologist recommender study / survey was conducted among 2,228 U.S. office-based dermatologists).

The moisturization effect of this novel formula was measured using corneometry.  Corneometry is the established standard method (e.g. corneometry) for electrically measuring skin hydration. The principle of measurement is based on the dielectric constant of water which strongly differs from other substances. The capacitor's electric field, influenced by the scatter field in the moist stratum corneum, is altered proportionally to the moisture content.

In this study, forearm skin hydration was measured before and 6 hours after application of the antiperspirant formula.  The higher capacitance scores indicate that this active moisturization is taking place in the skin with the application of antiperspirant.