Raman resonance spectroscopy (RRS) is a well-established and validated method for detection of skin carotenoid structures, found in abundance in the epidermal layer of the skin in palms and soles. Skin carotenoids can be detected in solution and on human skin by Raman Spectroscopy through generation of a single carotenoid spectrum at excitation/emission wavelength of 473nm and 510nm. However, to the best of our knowledge, data on the capacity of Raman spectroscopy to detect and quantify other key skin biomarkers such as ceramides, sphingolipids, squalene in a solution and on human skin appendages has not been validated. We attempted to test Ceramide detection by preparing a topical sample lotion composed of Ceramide IIIB, Ceramide VI, and Ceramide I mixture at 3%, 15% and 30% total. A topical formula without the Ceramide complex was prepared as a negative control and a sample of pure ceramide was used as an analytical control. All samples were scanned by Raman Spectroscopy over a spectral range of 600cm-1 to 2000cm-1 wavenumber (830nm excitation) in the Raman fingerprint region. A single large peak was detected at 1444cm-1 for ceramide in the analytical control which matched with the detection peak for the 3%, 15% and 30% topical sample lotion. The peak detected in the topical samples was found to be linear with the topical ceramide sample concentrations. In summary, the Raman spectroscopy is a reliable method to validate detection of ceramides in topical solution.

ESDR341 - Validation of detection of ceramides in topical solutions by Raman Spectroscopy

50th Annual Meeting of the European Society for Dermatological Research. VIRTUAL MEETING