Multilamellar ceramide core-structured microvehicles with substantial skin barrier function recovery

J Mater Chem B. 2023 Mar 8;11(10):2135-2144. doi: 10.1039/d2tb02734h.

Abstract

This study introduces a multilamellar ceramide core-structured microvehicle platform for substantial skin barrier function recovery. Our approach essentially focused on fabricating bacterial cellulose nanofiber (BCNF)-enveloped ceramide-rich lipid microparticles (CerMPs) by solidifying BCNF-armored oil-in-water Pickering emulsions. The oil drops consisted of Ceramide NP (a phytosphingosine backbone N-acylated with a saturated stearic acid) and fatty alcohols (FAs) with a designated stoichiometry. The thin BCNF shell layer completely blocked the growth of ceramide molecular crystals from the CerMPs for a long time. The CerMP cores displayed a multilamellar structure wherein the interlayer distance and lateral packing could be manipulated using FAs with different alkyl chain lengths. The CerMPs remarkably lowered the trans-epidermal water loss while restoring the structural integrity of the epidermis in damaged skin. The results obtained herein highlight that the CerMP system provides a practical methodology for developing various types of skin-friendly formulations that can strengthen the skin barrier function.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Ceramides* / chemistry
  • Epidermis
  • Recovery of Function
  • Skin*
  • Water / chemistry

Substances

  • Ceramides
  • Water