This Best Practice Statement is aimed at healthcare practitioners who are caring for patients at risk of compromised skin integrity, in particular older and very young people, and critically ill or hospitalised patients. 

Many patients may have compromised skin healing ability, particularly older people. The integrity of the skin barrier gradually diminishes with age and by 60 years has typically become vulnerable (White et al, 2012). Common skin conditions that affect skin integrity, such as eczema, are also increasing (Nutten, 2015). It is therefore essential that emollient therapy should be used as a key component to a structured skincare protocol (Moncrieff et al, 2015).