The effect of ceramide-containing skin care products on eczema resolution duration

Eczema is a common dermatologic condition that affects children as well as adults and is related to a defective skin barrier, which is most commonly caused by damage to the intercellular lipids from improper selection of skin cleansers and moistur- izers. A new concept in skin care is the incorpo- ration of ceramides into therapeutic cleansers and moisturizers. Ceramides are important com- ponents of the intercellular lipids that are neces- sary to link the protein-rich corneocytes into a waterproof barrier that is capable of protecting the underlying skin tissues and regulating body homeostasis. This study evaluated the effect of both a multilamellar vesicular emulsion (MVE) ceramide-containing liquid cleanser and mois- turizing cream plus fluocinonide cream 0.05% compared with a bar cleanser plus fluocinonide cream 0.05% in the treatment of mild to moder- ate eczema. The addition of an MVE ceramide- containing liquid cleanser and moisturizing cream to a high-potency corticosteroid enhanced the treatment outcome of mild to moderate eczema compared with the use of a bar cleanser and high-potency corticosteroid in reducing disease duration, time to disease clearance, and symp- toms. Thus, skin care product selection can have an important clinical effect on the clearance of mild to moderate eczema.
Cutis. 2008;81:87-91.

Zoe Diana Draelos, MD