Could moisturizer prevent heart disease?

A study at UC San Francisco showed that long term application of moisturizers the skin could reduce some age-related chronic diseases. They tested moisturizers containing lipids (fats) including ceramides, fatty acids, and cholesterol, and found that patients that were moisturizing showed it lowered inflammatory markers in their blood at the end of the study. How could this be true?

We know that when the skin doesn't have enough moisture that small fissures are created.  These cracks signal the body to produce more cytokines (proteins that trigger the bodies immune system), and in young skin, they happily go on to repair the problem with little consequence. In older skin, this dryness tends to be more chronic, and the constant release of these proteins leads to long term systemic inflammation which can lead to disease.

"Until recently, the scientific community didn't believe that skin could contribute to systemic inflammation and disease. But in the last five years, studies of psoriasis and dermatitis have shown that skin inflammation from these diseases likely increases the risk of heart disease, " Theodora Mauro, M.D, a professor of dermatology at UCSF  Cosmetics and Toiletries Magazine

More studies have to be done, but for now, it's looking like moisturizing your skin (on your whole body) twice a day is a solid choice not only for your looks but for your health.