Influence of topically applied ceramide/phospholipid mixture on the barrier function of intact skin, atopic skin and experimentally induced barrier damage

The influence of a liposomal formulation of a ceramide/phospholipid mixture on the barrier function of the skin in atopic tests, in subjects with healthy skin, and after lipid extraction was tested. The transepidermal water loss and the stratum corneum hydration served as parameters for the evaluation of the influence of the ceramide/phospholipid-mixture treatment on the barrier function. Additionally a barrier-function test with nicotinic acid ester was performed after ceramide/phospholipid-mixture application. Stabilizing effects on the barrier function after application of ceramide/phospholipid-mixture were found only in atopic skin and after lipid extraction but not in healthy skin. The results lead us to expect positive effects of ceramide/phospholipid-mixture only if barrier damage is present.