Phytosphingosine

Phytosphingosine is a lipid-like compound that is a key component of ceramides NP, AP, and EOP.

You can read a more in-depth article about ceramides here, but in short, they are the most important building blocks of our skin's lipid barrier and are able to protect the skin from many harmful substances, keep water from evaporating from the skin, and help to keep the skin waterproof and weatherproof.

Research shows that Phytosphingosine has barrier repair properties and helps to keep the top layer of our skin in a good shape, not only by repairing the lipid barrier but also by stimulating the production of the skin’s Natural Moisturizing Factor, a mixture of water-soluble compounds that bind water to the skin’s surface (it consists mainly of amino acids and PCA).

Moreover, Phytosphingosine also has very good antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity, which can be used to treat acne. Antibiotic resistance of Propionibacterium acnes has been a big problem in recent years because the traditional treatments with antibiotic creams and solutions are becoming less and less effective.

Using alternatives such as zinc, plant-based compounds, and Phytosphingosine is an important strategy to keep acne in check, while also minimizing the use of strong antibiotics.