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Effect of lactic acid isomers on keratinocyte ceramide synthesis, stratum corneum lipid levels and stratum corneum barrier function

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Abstract

Alpha-hydroxy acids are effective agents for the treatment of skin xerosis and it is known that, following treatment with lotions containingd,l-lactic acid, the stratum corneum prevents xerosis more effectively. To date, the relative efficacy of the different isomers of lactic acid has not been evaluated and the mode of action of lactic acid in improving stratum corneum resilience is not known. The objective of the present studies was to determine the effects of lactic acid isomers on keratinocyte ceramide biosynthesis, stratum corneum barrier function and the resistance of the straum corneum to the appearance of skin xerosis. In vitro, lactic acid enhanced the production of ceramides by keratinocytes.l-Lactic acid was more effective than thed isomer (300% increase vs 100% increase). Carbon label from lactic acid was incorporated into all keratinocyte lipid species and a greater incorporation of label into ceramides was achieved withl-lactate than withd-lactate. In vivo, lactic acid increased the levels of stratum corneum ceramides. Whereas, lotions containingl-lactic acid resulted in the greatest increase (48% increase) followed byd,l-lactic acid (25% increase),d-lactic acid had no effect on stratum corneum ceramide levels. The increases in stratum corneum ceramide levels following lactic acid treatment also led to improvements in stratum corneum barrier function, measured by transepidermal water loss following a challenge to the skin with SLS and in the regression phase of a moisturization efficacy study. Significant improvements in barrier function and resistance to the appearance of skin xerosis were observed followingl-lactic acid andd,l-lactic acid, but not followingd-lactic acid treatment. From these results we believe that lactic acid, particularly thel isomer, stimulates ceramide biosynthesis leading to increased stratum corneum ceramide levels which results in superior lipid barrier and a more effective resistance against xerosis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Unilever Research, Edgewater Laboratory, 45 River Road, 07020, Edgewater, NJ, USA

    A. V. Rawlings, A. Davies, M. Carlomusto, S. Pillai, K. Zhang, R. Kosturko, P. Verdejo, C. Feinberg, L. Nguyen & P. Chandar

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  1. A. V. Rawlings
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  2. A. Davies
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  3. M. Carlomusto
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  4. S. Pillai
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  5. K. Zhang
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  6. R. Kosturko
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  7. P. Verdejo
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  8. C. Feinberg
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  9. L. Nguyen
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  10. P. Chandar
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Rawlings, A.V., Davies, A., Carlomusto, M. et al. Effect of lactic acid isomers on keratinocyte ceramide synthesis, stratum corneum lipid levels and stratum corneum barrier function. Arch Dermatol Res 288, 383–390 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02507107

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02507107

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