ORIGINALI ARTICLES   

Giornale Italiano di Dermatologia e Venereologia 2006 October;141(5):449-55

Copyright © 2006 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Quantitative and qualitative evaluation of the effects of three cosmetic products containing pre-ceramides in restoring the skin barrier

Celleno L. ¹, Bustacchini S. ², Reggio S. ²

¹ EVIC Italia Srl, Rome, Italy 2 IDI Farmaceutici srl, Pomezia, Rome, Italy

Aim. Ceramides are synthesised from precursors, glycosphingolipids or pre-ceramides, and play a major role in maintenance and restoration of the skin barrier integrity. The aim of the conducted test is the evaluation of the cosmetic effect of 3 products containing pre-ceramides (face, body and hand treatment) for the restoration of the skin barrier physiological role in subjects presenting with a condition of dry skin and/or desquamation of face or body or presenting with hands affected by contact dermatitis.
Methods. Thirty volunteer subjects (10 for each formulation), aged 25-64 years, have been included in a controlled test comparing the cosmetic formulations containing pre-ceramides with a similar product (without pre-ceramides). Both active and control products have been used twice daily for 2 weeks. Instrumental evaluation of skin condition (with evaporimeter and corneometer) and evaluation of cosmetic effects and tolerability have been performed before the enrollment (t0), after 2 h since the first application, after 1 week of treatment usage (t7) and at the end of the test (t14).
Results. The products containing pre-ceramides, when compared with the control product, have rapidly induced a significant decrease in transepidermal water loss (P<0.003), a significant increase of skin hydration levels (P<0.001), a significant improvement in skin conditions with reduction of dryness and desquamation on face and body (P<0.0001) and a decrease of number of hand fissures (P<0.04).
Conclusions. The products containing pre-ceramides have shown a superior cosmetic effect, versus the control product, in improving the skin hydration and restoring the physiological role of skin barrier.