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Other actives

Phytosphingosine

A skin-identical lipid from the ceramide family, antimicrobial and calming in lab tests. Usually a supporting ingredient in barrier creams.

Weak evidence

What it is

Phytosphingosine is a sphingoid base — one of the building blocks of ceramides, the lipids that seal the skin barrier — and occurs naturally in the skin's outer layer. It is added to barrier-repair moisturizers, often alongside ceramides and cholesterol, and to acne and scalp products.

In lab studies it inhibits acne bacteria and inflammation. Whether it adds much beyond the ceramides and occlusives it's formulated with is uncertain.

How strong is the evidence?

Weak evidence

The main clinical data come from a small study co-authored by the ingredient's manufacturer, reporting antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects and improvement in acne-prone skin. Independent controlled trials are lacking.

What it's used for, checked

Barrier support for dry skin

Unproven

Plausible as a ceramide building block; not tested alone.

Acne-prone skin

Unproven

Positive results in a small manufacturer-linked study.

Who should be careful

  • Well tolerated; no notable safety concerns at cosmetic levels.

The studies

Every citation is checked against its PubMed record.

  1. Anti-microbial and -inflammatory activity and efficacy of phytosphingosine: an in vitro and in vivo study addressing acne vulgaris.
    Pavicic T, Wollenweber U, Farwick M, Korting HC · International Journal of Cosmetic Science · 2007 · Laboratory + clinical study

    Lab and small human studies, co-authored by the ingredient's manufacturer, found phytosphingosine antimicrobial against acne bacteria and anti-inflammatory, with improvements in acne-prone skin.