Dry skin in the winter is related to the ceramide profile in the stratum corneum and can be improved by treatment with a Eucalyptus extract. (26th February 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ishikawa, Junko; Yoshida, Hiroshi; Ito, Shotaro; Naoe, Ayano; Fujimura, Tsutomu; Kitahara, Takashi; Takema, Yoshinori; Zerweck, Charles; Grove, Gary Lee
• Is Part Of: Journal of cosmetic dermatology. Volume 12:Number 1(2013:Mar.)
• Page Start: 3
• Page End: 11
• Publication Date: 2013-02-26
• Subjects: Skin -- Diseases -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Lasers in surgery -- Periodicals; Skin -- Pathophysiology -- Periodicals; Surgery, Plastic -- Periodicals; 616.5
• DOI: 10.1111/jocd.12019
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1473-2130

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="jocd12019-abs-0001"> <title>Summary</title> <sec id="jocd12019-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>Dry skin in the winter has been reported to involve scaling, defects in water holding and barrier functions, and decreased ceramide (CER) levels in the stratum corneum (SC). We previously reported that a <italic>Eucalyptus</italic> extract promotes CER synthesis in cultured keratinocytes and accelerates the recovery of hydration in a barrier‐disrupted model of human skin.</p> </sec> <sec id="jocd12019-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Aims</title> <p>One of the objectives was to examine the CER profile and its contribution to the relief of dry skin. The other objective was to assess the efficacy of a <italic>Eucalyptus</italic> extract to treat dry skin.</p> </sec> <sec id="jocd12019-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Patients/Methods</title> <p>Twenty subjects with dry skin on their legs were assessed and their CER profiles were analyzed using tape‐stripping. A moisturizer with a <italic>Eucalyptus</italic> extract was assessed for its effects on dry skin using a leg regression methodology comprising 28 days of treatment and 14 days of regression.</p> </sec> <sec id="jocd12019-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Indicators of dry skin conditions (conductance, dryness, roughness, and scaliness) strongly correlated with the level of CER, CER [NP], and CER[NH]. Treatment with the <italic>Eucalyptus</italic> extract significantly improved conductance (3 days after regression) and transepidermal water loss (14 days after regression) compared with the placebo. After 28 days of treatment with the <italic>Eucalyptus</italic> extract, the level of CER in the SC did not increase, but CER [NP] did increase.</p> </sec> <sec id="jocd12019-sec-0005" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>These results suggest that not only the level of CER, but also specific CER species strongly contribute to dry skin relief and products that increase those are useful to improve dry skin conditions.</p> </sec> </abstract>