A daily regimen of a ceramide-dominant moisturizing cream and cleanser restores the skin permeability barrier in adults with moderate eczema: a randomized trial.

The dysfunctional skin barrier in eczema patients may be attributed to decreased levels of ceramides in the stratum corneum. The aim of this study was to determine whether a two-part system consisting of a ceramide-dominant physiological lipid-based moisturizing cream and cleanser could ameliorate the signs and symptoms of moderate eczema in adults over 28 days compared to placebo. Assessments were conducted at baseline and every 7 days thereafter. Eczema Area Severity Index (EASI) score decreased significantly across all time points in both groups compared to baseline (P < 0.0001), however, this decrease was not significant between groups at day 28 (P = 0.7804). In contrast, transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and skin hydration significantly improved over time in the active group, while it either stayed the same or worsened in the placebo group (P = 0.0342 and P < 0.0001, respectively). There was no difference in the use of mometasone furoate as rescue medication over time between groups (P = 0.1579). Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scores improved significantly in both groups (P < 0.0001), with no difference between groups (P = 0.5256). However, patient satisfaction was greater in the active compared to the placebo group for several parameters including relief of itch, dry skin, skin softness and smoothness (all P < 0.05). No patients withdrew from the study due to adverse events (AEs) and there were no serious AEs. The ceramide-dominant moisturizing cream and cleanser safely restores skin permeability and improves the signs and symptoms of eczema in adults. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.