title: 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.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  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 Eucalyptus extract promotes CER synthesis in cultured keratinocytes and accelerates the recovery of hydration in a barrier-disrupted model of human skin.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  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 Eucalyptus extract to treat dry skin.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty subjects with dry skin on their legs were assessed and their CER profiles were analyzed using tape-stripping. A moisturizer with a Eucalyptus extract was assessed for its effects on dry skin using a leg regression methodology comprising 28 days of treatment and 14 days of regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  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 Eucalyptus 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 Eucalyptus extract, the level of CER in the SC did not increase, but CER [NP] did increase.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors: Kao Corporation, Biological Science Laboratory, Haga-gun, Tochigi, Japan. ishikawa.junko1@kao.co.jp
authors: Junko
authors: J
authors: Ishikawa
authors: Hiroshi
authors: H
authors: Yoshida
authors: Shotaro
authors: S
authors: Ito
authors: Ayano
authors: A
authors: Naoe
authors: Tsutomu
authors: T
authors: Fujimura
authors: Takashi
authors: T
authors: Kitahara
authors: Yoshinori
authors: Y
authors: Takema
authors: Charles
authors: C
authors: Zerweck
authors: Gary Lee
authors: GL
authors: Grove
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002518:Ceramides / Q000378:metabolism*; D003080:Cold Temperature; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D004643:Emollients / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005052:Eucalyptus; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012107:Research Design; D012621:Seasons; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D002518:Ceramides; D004643:Emollients; D010936:Plant Extracts