Eczema is a common dermatologic condition that affects children as well as adults and is related to a defective skin barrier, which is most commonly caused by damage to the intercellular
lipids from improper selection of skin cleansers and moisturizers. A new concept in
skin care is the incorporation of
ceramides into therapeutic cleansers and moisturizers.
Ceramides are important components of the intercellular
lipids that are necessary to link the
protein-rich corneocytes into a waterproof barrier that is capable of protecting the underlying skin tissues and regulating body homeostasis. This study evaluated the effect of both a multilamellar vesicular
emulsion (MVE)
ceramide-containing liquid cleanser and moisturizing cream plus
fluocinonide cream 0.05% compared with a bar cleanser plus
fluocinonide cream 0.05% in the treatment of mild to moderate
eczema. The addition of an MVE
ceramide-containing liquid cleanser and moisturizing cream to a high-potency
corticosteroid enhanced the treatment outcome of mild to moderate
eczema compared with the use of a bar cleanser and high-potency
corticosteroid in reducing disease duration, time to disease clearance, and symptoms. Thus,
skin care product selection can have an important clinical effect on the clearance of mild to moderate
eczema.