Barrier & Lipid ·
Phytosphingosine
What is it?
A ceramide precursor/component naturally occurring in the skin barrier, used in skincare formulations for barrier repair.
What does it do?
According to PubMed, a 28-day clinical trial of a novel N-acyl-phytosphingosine ceramide (synthesized from marula oil-derived fatty acids) found topical application significantly improved barrier function in 32 subjects with barrier-compromised skin -- reduced transepidermal water loss and erythema, increased skin thickness and density, matching or exceeding a conventional ceramide comparator, with increased expression of the barrier proteins filaggrin and loricrin.
How to use
Typically formulated at 0.05% (studied concentration in the clinical trial).
Local suppliers (Coming soon)
We're building a directory of South African suppliers and manufacturers who stock this ingredient — check back soon.
Sources
This page provides general skincare information and is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Ingredient interactions and evidence summaries reflect published, cited sources — not a personal assessment of your skin. For medical skin conditions, rashes, pregnancy/lactation questions or persistent concerns, please consult a licensed dermatologist or HPCSA-registered practitioner.