A murine model was used to investigate the effects of a pseudoceramide-containing physiological lipid mixture (PLM) as a vehicle for a mid-potency topical glucocorticoid, mometasone furoate 0.1%. An atopic dermatitis-like state was induced by oxazolazone and changes in transepidermal water loss (TEWL), hydration, skinfold thickness and dermal inflammatory cells were measured. The results were compared with mometasone furoate in a polyethylene glycol/ethanol vehicle (PGE). Significant decreases in inflammatory cells and the number of adherent Staphylococcus aureus (P < 0.05 for both) were seen in the PLM group. No significant differences were seen between PLM and PGE groups regarding TEWL, hydration or skin thickness, possibly because these factors may take longer to normalize (Lee, ...