ObjectiveDry and scaly conditions on the scalp are often observed in patients with atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis and/or pityriasis capitis. Those scalp lesions often exhibit low barrier function and reduced ceramide levels. Therefore, a clinical study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of topical application of a pseudo-ceramide and eucalyptus extract-containing lotion on the scalps of patients with skin diseases.MethodsThirty-four subjects participated in this study (atopic dermatitis: 19 subjects; seborrheic dermatitis: 6 subjects; pityriasis capitis: 9 subjects). After 4 weeks of daily treatment with a pseudo-ceramide and eucalyptus extract-containing lotion, the skin symptoms had significantly improved in all patients with those skin diseases.ResultsSkin dryness, scaling, and erythema were significantly improved by treatment with the lotion. The moisture-retention ability of the scalp was significantly increased and itchiness, evaluated using a visual analog scale, decreased significantly. Accompanying those improvements was a significant improvement in the quality of life of the subjects, evaluated by the Skindex-16®.ConclusionFrom these results, we conclude that this pseudo-ceramide and eucalyptus extract-containing lotion effectively improved the dry and scaly conditions of the scalp as well as the quality of life of subjects with atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, or pityriasis capitis.

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Background Many patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) have a decreased ability to sweat. Several factors can cause decreased perspiration, such as weak tight junctions of sweat ducts, reduced acetylcholine receptor function, and inhibition of perspiration by histamines. Parakeratosis of AD skin also decreases sweating by occluding sweat pores. Increased ceramide levels in the stratum corneum reduce parakeratosis by improving stratum corneum functions. Furthermore, ceramides and/or ceramide derivatives may affect claudin‐3 and acetylcholine receptors. Objective In this study, we investigated the efficacy of a moisturizer containing pseudo‐ceramide and a eucalyptus extract to increase ceramide levels in the epidermis to improve the sweating ability of patients with AD. Methods Nineteen patients with AD applied moisturizers with or without pseudo‐ceramide and a eucalyptus extract on the cubital fossa of either arm twice a day for 4 weeks. Skin conditions and sweating ability, measured as the response to acetylcholine stimulation, were evaluated prior to the start of the study (Week 0) and at the end of Weeks 2 and 4. Results Both moisturizers improved the visually evaluated skin symptoms and skin hydration. However, only the moisturizer containing pseudo‐ceramide and the eucalyptus extract significantly improved cutaneous barrier function and significantly increased the ceramide level in the stratum corneum. That moisturizer also increased the sweating volume and shortened the latency time for sweating, an indicator of sweating ability, but the other moisturizer did not. Conclusion Based on these results, the moisturizer containing pseudo‐ceramide and a eucalyptus extract helps recover the sweat function of AD patients.

The usage of a moisturizer containing a pseudo-ceramide and a eucalyptus extract is effective for care of the skin of AD subjects even in the summer.

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