Abstract
The milk-derived milk ceramide (MC) and low molecular fish collagen (LFC) are materials that are effective in skin hydration and elasticity, and are widely used as skin functional ingredients. This study undertook a clinical trial to evaluate the synergistic effects of MC and LFC complex on skin hydration and elasticity. Participants (n=21) were randomly assigned to receive either MC, LFC, or a complex of MC and LFC, twice a day for 4 weeks. Skin hydration, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), elasticity and dermis density were assessed before and after the 4 weeks administration. Compared to the MC and LFC groups, skin hydration and TEWL were significantly improved (P<0.05) in the MC＋LFC group after 4 weeks. Both skin elasticity and dermis density also showed improvement in the MC＋LFC group after 4 weeks, but was not significantly different. Taken together, these results indicate that the mixture of MC and LFC exerts a synergistic effect in improving human skin hydration, as compared to MC and LFC administration individually.