Clinical evaluation of a topical ceramide lotion on skin hydration and skin barrier in healthy volunteers with dry skin

Objectives: Ceramides are epidermal lipids important for normal skin barrier function. Reduced ceramide content is associated with dry skin and atopic dermatitis (AD) due to increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and worsening symptoms. Topical ceramide application restores barrier function and improves hydration by reducing TEWL. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a test product on skin hydration and TEWL on the volar forearms of adults, by comparing measurements at 12 and 24 h post-application. Materials and Methods: This single-center and non-randomized study evaluated the effect of Venusia CeraPlus lotion on volar forearms in volunteers with dry skin. Primary outcomes included MoistureMeterSC reading for hydration and VapoMeter reading for TEWL at 12- and 24-h post-application, comparing occluded and unoccluded sites. Results: The study enrolled 32 subjects with a mean age of 34.03 ± 9.41 years, out of which 87.5% were female. Application of Venusia CeraPlus lotion enhanced skin hydration compared to the control under both occluded and unoccluded conditions. Hydration increased from 13.57 ± 2.67 at baseline to 31.61 ± 11.34 at 12 h and 36.36 ± 10.77 at 24 h under occlusion ( P < 0.001). TEWL was lower at the test site, with VapoMeter readings of 3.08 ± 2.32 at 24 h compared to 4.54 ± 2.76 at the control site, suggesting that the test product effectively preserved skin hydration and reduced TEWL compared to the control. No adverse reactions were reported. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that Venusia CeraPlus Lotion effectively maintains optimal skin hydration for up to 24 h and enhances barrier function, making it a promising option for treating dry skin and improving overall skin health in adults.