Why Ceramide is Vital to Healthy Skin

To avoid complications, such as leakage, it’s important to maintain the health of your peristomal skin. Learn about a natural component of human skin that can help keep your skin healthy.

Learn about ceramide’s role in peristomal skin health

When it comes to keeping the skin around your stoma healthy, there are many resources available to you. It is important to avoid peristomal skin complications (PSCs), and research has recently shown there is an ingredient that can help: ceramide.

What is ceramide?

Ceramide is a natural component of human skin that supports the function of all five of the layers of the epidermis. Ceramide is made of waxy, lipid molecules that link cells together to form a waterproof, protective barrier. Just like a brick wall needs mortar to keep it strong and firm, the skin needs ceramide to bond the cells of the outer skin. Here are some additional facts:

• The relationship between ceramide and skin health has been well established¹
• Ceramides help prevent water loss that can lead to skin damage and dryness
• Ceramide levels are abundant in healthy skin
• Lower levels of ceramide may be present in dry, damaged, and inflamed skin

Ceramide in skin barriers

Infusing ceramide in skin barriers is a newer technology. A skin barrier needs to be able to provide good adhesion, absorption, and erosion resistance while coming into contact with your peristomal skin. The added benefit of ceramide in the skin barrier can help protect the skin’s natural moisture barrier. Of course, the right fit of your skin barrier helps prevent leakage and is critical to skin health and stopping the vicious cycle before it starts.

Recently, 184 clinicians evaluated 284 patients who had ostomies who were using the CeraPlus™ skin barrier infused with ceramide. The evaluations yielded impressive results:²

• 75 percent of those with a moderate or severe peristomal skin condition showed improvement
• 84 percent of those accustomed to changing their skin barrier more than once a day reduced their change frequency while using the CeraPlus™ skin barrier, a skin barrier infused with ceramide
• 88 percent of clinicians were either satisfied or highly satisfied with the overall performance of the CeraPlus™ skin barrier

More research

One study looked at differences in ostomy skin barriers – some with ceramide, some without – and their impact on costs of stoma care and the occurrence of PSCs. This research study, called the “ADVOCATE Trial,” compared the use of a standard skin barrier with the CeraPlus™ skin barrier, a ceramide-infused skin barrier.³ Some key takeaways from the ADVOCATE study show:

• CeraPlus™ skin barrier users had a clinically meaningful reduction in the occurrence of PSCs⁴
• PSCs were significantly more likely to resolve in four weeks with the use of CeraPlus™ skin barriers (treatment 53% vs. control 29%)
• Significantly lower stoma-related costs associated with the use of CeraPlus™ skin barriers ($36.46 per patient over a 12-week period)⁴
• Significantly more CeraPlus™ skin barrier users were very satisfied with the barrier's overall performance, prevention of leakage, and prevention of itching⁴

In summary

PSCs are common and can have many negative impacts on your life. That makes taking care of your peristomal skin a top priority. Recent research shows the CeraPlus™ skin barrier can help you proactively manage your peristomal skin health. 

1. Coderch L, Lopez O, de la Maza O, Para JL. Ceramides and skin function. Am J Clin Dermatol. 003;4(2):107-129.
2. CeraPlus Global User Evaluation 2016, Data on file, Hollister Incorporated.
3. As compared to Hollister non-ceramide skin barriers.
4. Colwell JC, Pittman J, Raizman R, Salvadalena G. A Randomized Controlled Trial Determining Variances in Ostomy Skin Conditions and the Economic Impact. J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs, 2018;45(1):37-42.