Thursday’s issue of the Journal of Investigative Dermatology featured the results of a recent cancer related study conducted by researchers of Rutgers University; according to the findings, the use of certain moisturizing creams increases one’s chances of developing a form of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma.

In the study, Dr. Allan Conney and his team put a group of hairless mice through UVB radiation sessions two times a week for a period of twenty weeks. Four randomly chosen types of moisturizing creams that had been applied on the mice caused tumors to develop more rapidly and grow larger than they would have in normal conditions.

Dr. Allan Conney said that although right now it can’t really be said exactly how the situation is with humans, the study should represent a red light and lead to further epidemiological studies for human populations.

The producers of the creams (Eucerin Original Moisturizing Creme, Vanicream, Dermabase and Dermovan) contradicted the study’s results. Beiersdorf Inc., maker of Eucerin Original Creme, said its product has been on the market for more than a century and it is known as a perfectly safe, dermatologist-recommended brand.

According to PSI Pharmaceutical Specialties, maker of Vanicream, the newly released information has "doubtful significance" because of the methods the team used in carrying out the procedures. Company officials added that the cream has been used for almost thirty years with very good results.

The chief of the dermatology department of the Hackensack University Medical Center said a lot of doctors currently recommend moisturizers and that he would question the study’s results.