Coming straight from the research labs of Rutgers, a study was published in Journal of Investigative Dermatology stating that some skin moisturizers may increase the chances of getting a type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma.

The mechanism behind the cancer inducing effects of moisturizers are unknown, and the carcinogenic ingredient(s) are also undiscovered. But scientists suspect mineral oil and sodium laurel sulphate, two common additives in moisturizers.

Interestingly, Rutgers and Johnson & Johnson have already come up with a patented kind of moisturizer that contain no mineral oil or sodium laurel sulphate.

As reported in Rutger's local newspaper, the Hackensack, NJ-based Record (and for some reason available online via the Tulsa World):

Moisturizers may speed skin cancer in reformed sunbathers, even years after giving up on tanning, according to a Rutgers University study of mice.

Four different brands of moisturizing creams caused tumors to form faster and larger in hairless mice that had been pretreated with ultraviolet radiation, the Rutgers researchers reported Thursday in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.

"We don't know what happens in humans," said Alan Conney, who led the study. "But this is a red light saying there should be some epidemiological study in human populations."

Manufacturers of the products — Eucerin Original Moisturizing Creme, Vanicream, Dermabase and Dermovan, all chosen randomly for the study — refuted the findings.

"Eucerin Original Creme has been on the market for more than 100 years and is a highly respected, dermatologist-recommended brand," a statement by Beiersdorf Inc. said.

"It has been widely used by both individuals with normal skin and those with diseased skin under the care of physicians without any incidents of this nature ever reported."

PSI Pharmaceutical Specialties, makers of Vanicream, said the results had "doubtful significance," given the methods that were used.

So maybe we're all better off with dry-skin.  Full story here.