The moisturizing effect of a wheat extract food supplement on women's skin: a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

What Was Tested

This randomized controlled trial looks at Ceramides.

A wheat extract rich in ceramides and digalactosyl-diglycerides was developed by Hitex in two forms: wheat extract oil (WEO) and wheat extract powder (WEP).

Evaluation of skin hydration on legs, arms and face, assessed at baseline (D0) and at study end (D84) was performed by the dermatologist using dermatological scores (dryness, roughness, erythema), skin hydration measurement (corneometry) and self-assessment scores (Visual Analogue Scale: VAS).

Who Took Part

The study group was 51 women.

The age groups tagged for this paper are young adults, adults and middle-aged adults, women only.

How the Study Was Run

In design terms this was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled and pilot study.

Because people in this Ceramides study were split into groups at random, differences between the groups are less likely to reflect who happened to join each one.

Blinding on both sides kept the women and researchers unaware of who received Ceramides.

Some women received a placebo instead of Ceramides, giving a reference point.

It is described as a pilot, a small early test of whether a larger Ceramides study would be practical.

What Was Measured

Evaluation of skin hydration on legs, arms and face, assessed at baseline (D0) and at study end (D84) was performed by the dermatologist using dermatological scores (dryness, roughness, erythema), skin hydration measurement (corneometry) and self-assessment scores (Visual Analogue Scale: VAS).

The subject headings attached to it are Ceramides, Electric Impedance, Patient Satisfaction, Pilot Projects, Plant Extracts, Skin and Triticum.

What This Means in Plain Language

The paper is a randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled study of Ceramides in 51 women.

The publication is from 2011 (International journal of cosmetic science), a journal based in England.

More context: all human trials.