Ceramides are among the main lipid constituent of the epidermal stratum corneum. Ceramides play a major role in the integrity of the skin barrier function. Alteration in their composition or organisation, in particular the impairment of long-chain ceramides results in various skin disorders such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis or ichthyosis.

Reduction of ceramides in the stratum corneum is also observed in environmentally-stressed, dry and aged skins. Consequently, dermo-cosmetic products able to improve the level of ceramides in the epidermis could help restoring the hydration and, to a larger extend, the barrier function of disordered skins.

Apply ceramide cream on the top of your skin ? Not as simple as that! Because topical application of ceramide is now controverted, new ingredients promoting the expression of genes involved in the natural ceramide synthesis are emerging. However, in vitro efficacy test relying solely on ceramide concentration measurement mis-discriminate between exogenous and endogenous ceramides.

Alternatively, efficacy claim can be conducted by measuring the expression of enzymes involved in the natural synthesis and transformation of ceramide in the stratum corneum, like in the new “ceramide-impaired 3D skin model” designed by StratiCELL. This new in vitro model provides relevant data on the biological processing of ceramides at the transcriptomic level.

It allows dermo-cosmetic players to investigate and confirm the in vitro efficacy of promising actives on the expression level of ceramides. Comparison to a positive reference compound is available for full objectivation.

Follow StratiCELL’s latest innovative in vitro efficacy testing on www.straticell.com/news.

Contact the experts at info@stratiCELL.com

info@StratiCELL.com

www.straticell.com